Abstract:

Keeping an accurate record of operative cases during a plastic surgery fellowship program is essential to achieve the minimum number of cases required by the Plastic Surgery Residency Review Committee. Although the ACGME does provide an online case logging tool, it does not provide intuitive categorization of surgical procedures. Using a database created by Thinking Bytes Technology (www.thinkdb.com), residents can program a case logging application using a Palm Pilot. This program can also perform wireless/web-based synchronization, facilitating communication between a program director and his residents about operative experience.

Figure 1 shows the main input screen for a particular patient displaying name, ID number, and date. Hospital name, attending name, and CPT code are chosen from a drop down list. The category of the procedure is also chosen from a drop down list of the category name and the minimum number required of that category. A check box on the main screen can be used to keep track of procedures that have been logged and/or dictated on the ACGME system. Inpatient data such as room number, etc. as well photo data can also be tracked using the program.

The most useful function of the program is easy data summarization into charts displaying the total number of cases in a specific category, so a resident is able to quickly check which categories are deficient. This information is invaluable in planning operative schedules and consultation distribution amongst multiple residents in a training program. These summaries are easily exported into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

In conclusion, a palm-based application for surgical operative cases has become an invaluable organizational and planning tool for residents. Minimum numbers required by the RRC can be more readily achieved with the instant information that this program provides.