Improving Laryngeal Procedure Workflow: Moving From the Operating Room to the Outpatient Setting.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Growing burden of laryngology diseases and increasing patient waiting lists in England.
• Reduced ear, nose, and throat (ENT) theater capacity and efficiency.
• Need for innovative strategies to manage the ENT care backlog, including separating elective and emergency services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the establishment of an office-based laryngology procedure clinic as a solution.
• To provide a streamlined setup process for other ENT units based on institutional experience.
• To assess the feasibility and benefits of in-office laryngology services.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review and audit of experience in founding an in-office laryngology procedure service.
• Exploration of necessary personnel, equipment, and processes.
• Implementation within existing ENT elective and emergency service frameworks.

Main Results:

• Successful function of the procedure clinic within existing ENT services.
• Clinical and economic benefits outweigh initial investment costs.
• Improved reliable and efficient patient access to investigations and treatments.

Conclusions:

• In-office laryngology clinics offer significant patient, organizational, and economic advantages.
• Provides a novel and resilient strategy for addressing the ENT care backlog.
• Recommends popularization of these clinics in the current healthcare environment.