A quality control circle to improve preventive care for lower limb lymphedema in gynecologic oncology surgery

This study aims to enhance compliance with lower limb lymphedema (LLL) prevention care measures post-gynecologic oncology surgery (GOS) through quality control circle (QCC) activity, aiming to improve patient recovery outcomes and reduce postoperative complications.

A 6-month QCC activity was conducted within the hospital, employing the ten-step plan-do-check-act model for QCC activity. The root causes of inadequate implementation of LLL prevention care measures were analyzed, leading to the development of relevant strategies and protocols. Compliance rates of preventive care measures pre- and post-QCC activity were compared.

The focus of this improvement initiative was on "inadequate postoperative preventive measures" and "lack of standardized discharge preventive measures." Strategies included ensuring nurses proficiently assess LLL following gynecologic malignancy surgeries, enhancing standardized preventive measures for LLL post-GOS, and establishing personalized and diversified education models. Following the implementation of QCC activity, there was a significant improvement in the compliance rate of LLL prevention care measures. The compliance rate increased from 74.00% before the activity to 92.80%, surpassing the target rate by 119.00%, with an improvement rate of 25.40%. Comprehensive evaluations of circle members' abilities showed significant improvement, with notable increases in problem-solving abilities, initiative, and confidence.

Implementation of QCC activity resulted in a substantial improvement in compliance with LLL prevention care measures following GOS, ensuring safer and more effective patient care services.