Resource implications of SNOT22 data submission

Abstract

Background: Continuous clinical audit tools are important in the maintenance of good medical practice and will doubtlessly be used for revalidation purposes. Accordingly, ENT.UK and BRS developed The Rhinology Minimum Electronic Dataset, which is completed via online submission of pre‐ and postoperative SNOT22 scores of patients visiting the outpatient department. According the web tool guidance notes, once familiar with the system, any data entry relating to a single patient should take between 30 and 60 s. It also advises entering data in real time rather than at a later date to save time. Aim: This study assesses the resource requirements for submitting patients’ SNOT22 data using the Rhinology Minimum Electronic Dataset web tool. Method: SNOT22 scores were collected over a week of ENT outpatient sessions in April 2011. The number of patients (n) was 31. The data were submitted in a single sitting for each OPD session to avoid delays arising from automatic website logout. The study was carried out using a fast Internet connection (20 Mb) and an advanced computer operating system (Windows 7®, Intel core i3), compared with those available locally. Results: The number of SNOT 22 scores collected was 31. The total submission time for SNOT22 results was 125 min, with an average time of 4 min per single patient’s data. The automatic logout time for the website was 20 min. Discussion: Our results show that the time required to enter patients’ data to the website is far longer (300% delay per patient) than the time suggested by the guidance notes. This would be even longer in real time using clinic‐based computers and Internet connection. The study suggests that the best results would be achieved by entering patients’ data at one sitting, rather than individually, following every OPD session, as a result of automatic logout time of the web browser. If our rhinology service were to use the web tool to register patients’ data, it would have a significant impact on our service resource and OPD consultation time.

French adaptation and validation of the Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22: a prospective cohort study on quality of life among 422 subjects

“…As observed in English‐speaking population, our survey was well received by patients, was easy and quick to complete and suited to the complaints of rhinology clinic attendees. All but eleven surgical patients demonstrated an improvement in their total SNOT‐22 scores postoperatively.…”

Underutilisation of the British Rhinological Society minimum electronic dataset in an age of mandatory reporting; an investigation

“…Currently, no fields can be omitted, making the process long and laborious; optional fields are likely to improve usage and allow users to tailor the amount of data submitted to their individual needs. Indeed, the time to upload data has been reported to take a mean of 4 min per patient and cited as the most barrier to frequent usage by respondents. Navigation through the site also needs to be enhanced.…”