title: Comparing electronic recording with a diagrammatic template versus traditional handwritten recording of tympanomastoid procedures: third audit cycle of 95 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The middle ear and mastoid are complex three-dimensional structures and therefore tympanomastoid procedures require detailed documentation. Traditional written accounts can be inaccurate and difficult to interpret.
  
  
  METHODS
  This audit of 95 patients compares the completion of essential operative details using: an all-electronic version of a standardised proforma with a diagrammatic template, a non-electronic version with a diagrammatic template, and a traditional handwritten template.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The electronic template resulted in 81 per cent of essential operative items being recorded, compared to 78 per cent (p = 0.3) with a previous non-electronic template and 50 per cent (p = 0.0004) when using simple handwritten recording.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An electronic proforma with a diagrammatic template improves the documentation and interpretation of tympanomastoid procedures compared to traditional handwritten records.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department,Medway Maritime Hospital,Gillingham,UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: ENT Department,Medway Maritime Hospital,Gillingham,UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Habeeb
authors.affiliation: ENT Department,Medway Maritime Hospital,Gillingham,UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gluckman
authors.affiliation: ENT Department,Medway Maritime Hospital,Gillingham,UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kanegoankar
mesh_terms: D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006236:Handwriting; D006801:Humans; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D008485:Medical Audit; D008499:Medical Records; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Myringoplasty; Otolaryngology; Otological Surgical Procedures; Tympanoplasty