Physicians measure up. A study of 13 surgical procedures

The Colorado Foundation for Medical Care Professional Standards Review Organization performed a six-month study in the latter half of 1978 to determine if the following surgical procedures were performed in accordance with the appropriate indications: primary appendectomy, cataract surgery, cholecystectomy, coronary arteriography, uterine dilation and curettage, surgical repair of hiatal hernia, abdominal hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, lumbar disk excision, meniscectomy, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Data were collected concurrently by nurse reviewers on 4,850 hospitalized Medicare and Medicaid patients in Colorado hospitals. Cases that did not meet explicit indications were referred to physician reviewers for final determination. The 4,728 cases (97%) either met indications for these procedures or were justified by physician review. The conclusion from the study was that Colorado physicians are performing these procedures appropriately.