title: Surgical quality control in head and neck cancer. Study 73-03 of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.
abstract: The measurement of quality of medical care has always been a topic of concern to physicians and other health care professionals. During an age of increasing competitiveness in the health care environment, the ability to assess accurately the quality of the care delivered has become increasingly important. The head and neck surgeons within the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group have examined this problem and have developed an evaluation tool that was then applied retrospectively in an attempt to evaluate the quality of surgery performed in a randomized study. The analysis of the results suggested that the retrospective approach to surgical quality control is fraught with hazards and is unlikely to fulfill the goals set for it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University, Harper-Grace Hospital, Detroit.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Pajak
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Snow
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011897:Random Allocation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards*