About the project
The Managed Service Network for Neurosurgery (MSN) is committed to compiling a National Paediatric Operative Database as recommended in the Final Report of the Neuroscience Implementation Group 2008.
Fifteen core variables were approved which encapsulated demographic, operative and outcome details for each paediatric patient undergoing neurosurgery. In addition it was agreed that Ninewells Hospital, Dundee and the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital would collect additional variables to examine collaborative working with the two major centres (Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh).
Core data is recorded for all children who undergo neurosurgery. Additional data for Tayside and Aberdeen will be recorded for all children transferred to a major centre regardless of surgical intervention.
Aims
To improve the care of children undergoing neurosurgery in Scotland by the creation of a national database that will facilitate clinical audit
How do we achieve this?
All children under the age of 16 years who receive neurosurgery in Scotland are to be included.
Obtaining this data will vary between sites and involves working with consultants and registrars cross referencing the data with hospital information systems and cross site communication.
Data validation
The patient listing generated at each site will be validated using hospital information systems and cross site communication will document the transfer information from one neurosurgical location to another.
Outcome
The audit will provide a mechanism whereby the care of children can be scrutinised in detail and areas for improvement can be identified, implemented and re-audited