Volume 200, Issue 5 , Pages e16-e17, May 2009
Laparotomy operative note template constructed through a modified Delphi method
Objective
An operative note is indispensable to physician documentation and decision-making; however, there are no accepted standards for operative note content. Our aim was to use a modified Delphi consensus-building method to construct a uniform operative note template for laparotomy.
Study Design
Using Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requirements, literature review, and feedback from 15 medical malpractice defense attorneys, we compiled a draft operative note template of 31 elements. We surveyed 37 Association of Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics/Solvay scholars asking for their input on inclusion of each item as essential content of the operative note.
Results
Two iterations of the survey were required to reach a predetermined 75% level of consensus. Nine elements were eliminated from the template: 6 original and 3 expert-suggested elements.
Conclusion
We provide an operative note template that was compiled through a Delphi process.
Key words: Delphi method, laparotomy operative note
This study was supported by a Grant from the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Research Committee.
The findings of this study have been presented at the following meetings: Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Buena Vista, FL, poster presentation, March 5, 2008; 14th Annual Research Forum, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, April 22, 2008; and University of Michigan Health System 23rd Annual Abram Sager, MD, Lectureship & Senior Resident Research Paper Presentations, Ann Arbor, MI, May 14, 2008.
PII: S0002-9378(08)00879-X
doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.07.061
© 2009 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Volume 200, Issue 5 , Pages e16-e17, May 2009
