Implementing the ICHOM standardised set for hand and wrist conditions: Experiences from an Australian public hospital.

BACKGROUND

The development of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) standard sets reflects an increasing awareness of the need for systematic, standardised data collection on patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the implementation of the ICHOM standardised set for hand and wrist conditions in the Department of Hand and Peripheral Nerve Surgery at a large, referral hospital in Sydney, Australia.

METHOD: Patient outcomes were collected according to ICHOM-defined clinical pathways for three common procedures: carpal tunnel release, trigger digit release, and distal radius fixation. Response rates were recorded at preoperative and condition-specific follow-up time points over two 3-month periods before and after the employment of a dedicated research officer.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients were treated prior to the implementation of a research officer and 87 patients after. Pre-operative data completion improved from 35% to 93%; 3-month patient reported outcome measures from 25% to 64%; and 3-month clinician reported outcome measures from 0% to 40%.

CONCLUSION

The ICHOM standard set was successfully implemented in an Australian public hospital, aided significantly by the employment of a research officer.Implications for health information management practice:Standardised outcome measurement can be embedded in existing clinical workflows utilising a framework including dedicated personnel, robust information technology infrastructure, and patient engagement strategies. This template is broadly applicable across institutions and facilitates a shift towards value-based healthcare metrics.