@article{ref1,
title="Creation and implementation of an emergency general surgery registry modeled after the National Trauma Data Bank",
journal="Journal of the American Academy of Surgeons",
year="2012",
author="Becher, Robert D. and Meredith, J. Wayne and Chang, Michael C. and Hoth, J. Jason and Beard, H. Randall and Miller, Preston R.",
volume="214",
number="2",
pages="156-163",
abstract="BACKGROUND: As emergency general surgery (EGS) evolves, an EGS patient-tracking database (EGS registry [EGSR]) similar to the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) will be essential to study outcomes and improve care. The goal of this study was to establish diagnostic ICD-9 codes to define EGS patients. The hypothesis was that creating standardized ICD-9-based inclusion criteria would facilitate patient identification for an EGSR and aid in its ongoing development. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective review of EGS admissions over a 9-month period to define ICD-9 diagnostic codes of patients admitted to our EGS service. Subsequently, prospective data were collected into the EGSR by testing ICD-9-based inclusion criteria over 1 month. Patient, hospital, and severity scoring variables, as well as quality assurance information, were identified. <br><br>RESULTS: We identified 959 admissions to the EGS service over 9 months with 306 ICD-9 diagnosis codes that define EGS patients; the prospective population of the EGSR confirmed feasibility of ICD-9-based inclusion criteria. The EGSR captures 107 data points and 33 comorbidities per patient over 11 categories, akin to the 10 NTDB categories. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Following the model of the NTDB, we have successfully completed creation and initial implementation of an EGSR by using ICD-9-based inclusion criteria. Our comprehensive EGSR creates a prospective data-collection modality to capture and define EGS patients. A uniform patient-tracking EGSR, akin to the NTDB, will advance the science of acute care surgery, improve EGS patient outcomes, and facilitate multi-institutional collaboration.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1072-7515",
doi="10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2011.11.001",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2011.11.001"
}