Audit of adequacy of TMJ documentation and data collection at a regional maxillofacial unit facilitating the creation of a dedicated TMJ integrated pathway and database

Introduction: The evidence regarding the long term outcome of TMJ is sparse in the English scientific literature. A retrospective audit into documentation regarding TMJ patients in a large regional maxillofacial unit was conducted between 2010 and 2012.

Aims: (1) Standardisation of documentation, (2) improvement of data collection and follow-up, and (3) improvement of management decisions.

Results: 90% of patients had inadequate documentation. This led to the creation of a standardised pathway for all TMJ patients and a dedicated TMJ database and its incorporation onto an android system

Materials and methods: The pathway is filled out for all patients referred for TMJ dysfunction. The same parametres during the preoperative assessment are replicated post TMJ procedures.

Reaudit: A reaudit cycle revealed 92% of patients had accurate clinical documentation and 90% had accurate radiographic documentation. To date the database is more than 170 patients strong and is used by all clinicians in the department.

Conclusion: There has been a change in practice at Northwick Park since the introduction of the pathway and database. TMJ documentation is no longer placed in the outpatient sheets but in the integrated pathway booklet. We hope to obtain long-term data, leading to the creation and subsequent use of evidence based guidelines.

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Jan 21, 2018 | Posted by in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Comments Off on Audit of adequacy of TMJ documentation and data collection at a regional maxillofacial unit facilitating the creation of a dedicated TMJ integrated pathway and database

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