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No smoking gun: findings from a national survey of office-based cosmetic surgery adverse event reporting
Rajesh Balkrishnan1, Inderjit K Gill, Jeffrey A Vallee
1Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 2000 West First Street, Piedmont Plaza II, 2nd Floor, Winston-Salem, NC 27104, USA. rbalkris@wfubmc.edu
Background:
Because of recent press reports of adverse outcomes, office-based cosmetic surgery has come under intense scrutiny and associated legislative regulatory action.
Objective:
To assess the safety of office-based cosmetic surgery through a national survey of state agencies that collect information on adverse patient outcomes.
Methods:
Medical boards or other responsible authorities were contacted in 48 states to obtain records on adverse outcomes from cosmetic surgery procedures performed in an office-based setting.
Results:
Five states were able to provide complete information regarding 13 cases of adverse outcomes that resulted from office-based cosmetic surgery procedures. Thirteen states had incomplete information or were unable to provide information. The remaining states reported no adverse outcomes. Information collected by state agencies varies greatly and is inadequate to define the safety of office-based cosmetic surgery practice.
Conclusions:
The need to regulate physician office surgery on the basis of hospital privileges and office certification is not supported by current data. Mandatory reporting of adverse outcomes from office-based surgery is warranted to identify modifiable risk factors and to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.
Insights
Data on adverse outcomes from office-based cosmetic surgery is insufficient for regulation. Mandatory reporting is needed to improve patient safety and identify risks in cosmetic surgery procedures.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Public Health Policy
- Medical Regulation
Background:
- Office-based cosmetic surgery faces scrutiny due to adverse events.
- Legislative and regulatory actions are increasing.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess the safety of office-based cosmetic surgery.
- Evaluate data collection on adverse patient outcomes by state agencies.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed medical boards and authorities in 48 states.
- Collected records on adverse outcomes from office-based cosmetic surgery procedures.
Main Results:
- Only 5 states provided complete data on 13 adverse outcomes.
- 13 states had incomplete or no data.
- Data collected by state agencies is highly variable and inadequate.
Conclusions:
- Current data does not support regulating physician office surgery based on hospital privileges or office certification.
- Mandatory reporting of adverse outcomes is essential for identifying risk factors and enhancing patient safety.