(0101) Clinical Practice Variability in Otolaryngology Providers in an Academic, Outpaitent Setting

Introduction: There is limited data describing the variability of prescriptions, labs, imaging, and referrals ordered in otolaryngology, despite practice guidelines and subspecialized training. This study aims to characterize the variability of prescriptions, imaging, and referrals in clinical practice among otolaryngology generalists and subspecialty physicians based on ICD-10 codes.

Methods: This is a single-institution retrospective study analyzing administrative data from July-December 2023 between otolaryngology providers within the same subspecialty. Provider data associated with general otolaryngologist and subspecialists were analyzed. The main variables of interest include prescriptions ordered, labs, imaging studies, and type, and referrals ordered for each providers’ 10 most common ICD-10 codes. Descriptive qualitative measures above were outlined, and quantitative variability was measured using paired t-tests and ANOVA tests.

Results: Preliminary data suggest similar antibiotic prescribing practices (7.4% vs 7%), although there was discordance in imaging order patterns (MRI, 3.7% vs 7.4% and CT, 4.6% vs 3.3%). Referrals were similar (13.9% vs 15.6%).

Conclusions: The results of this study help describe clinical practice variability that may exist among physicians within a given subspecialty in a large, academic outpatient setting. In an era of value based contracting, variation in health care costs among providers can be problematic. Further understanding of variability among providers in their clinical practice patterns will help to standardize practice for commonly treated conditions.