(1022) Enhancing Productivity and Patient Care in Pediatric Tonsillectomies Post-COVID

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted NHS waiting lists, particularly in pediatric adenotonsillectomies. At BHRUT, the backlog exceeded 500 cases, exacerbated by the influx of pediatric patients with increased clinic capacity. Our TonKIDZ project aimed to address this backlog, resulting in a tenfold improvement in weekly productivity.

Methods: This presentation delves into the analysis of retrospectively collected data from pediatric tonsillectomies conducted during dedicated TonKIDZ weeks in July, September, and November 2023. The primary objectives include assessing and documenting post-tonsillectomy complications following the implementation of the TonKIDZ project.

Results: Over the study period, 232 children underwent tonsillectomy, averaging 14.5 cases per day. Surgical techniques employed included bipolar and dissection for 123 patients and coblation for 109 patients. Complication rates decreased from 8.9% to 6.18% (second cycle) and further to 3.5% in the third cycle, aligning with national standards. Additionally, 16 overnight pediatric sleep studies were conducted, utilizing available workforce efficiently.

Conclusions: Through collaborative teamwork and strategic planning, our initiative successfully addressed the pediatric tonsillectomy waiting list backlog at BHRUT. Improved surgical techniques, allocation of full-day theatre lists, dual anesthetists for simultaneous induction and recovery, enhanced documentation, and systematic reaudits collectively contributed to the reduction in postoperative complications, elevating the overall quality of our services.