Comparing surgeon perception to publicly reported data using NSQIP.

Background: Past studies have demonstrated that surgeons' perceptions of their own postsurgical complications may not be accurate. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database is a nationally validated, risk-adjusted, outcomes-based program created to measure and improve the quality of surgical care. Using information acquired through survey data, the purpose of this study is to determine how surgeons' perceptions of their own postoperative complications rates compare to the NSQIP database that tracks these outcome metrics.

Hypothesis/purpose: We hypothesize that surgeons underestimate their rates of morbidity, readmission, and reoperation within thirty days postoperatively when compared to NSQIP data.

Study Design: Data elements such as perceived morbidity, readmission, and reoperation were collected through surveys distributed at a large level one trauma center. Survey respondents were asked how their rates compared to their peers and physician survey responses were then compared to institutional NSQIP data.

Results: 87.5% of surgeons underestimated their rates of morbidity, 35.4% underestimated their rates of readmission, 22.9% underestimated their rates of reoperation. When comparing themselves to their departmental averages, 57.78% accurately estimated their morbidity rates, 75.56% accurately estimated readmission rates, and 86.67% accurately estimated reoperation rates.

Conclusion: Surgeons are poor predictors of individual 30-day postoperative complication rates including morbidity, readmission, and reoperation. However, surgeons are more accurate in estimating these same outcomes when asked to compare to the average of their department.