CLINICAL DATABASE – FROM PAPER TO THE WEB. A DECADE OF THE READING SHOULDER UNIT DATABASE.

Abstract

Introduction The value of collecting continuous prospective patient data, including operation records and outcome scores, is well known. In 1994, a systematic prospective patient data collection was initiated on all patients attending the Reading Shoulder Unit (RSU). Initially this was done with hand written records. In 1995 a Windows Access ® database was formulated on a portable laptop. This was used continuously through until September 2005 when an Internet web-based database was introduced. We present this collective data and trends in practice from a busy shoulder unit over this decade. Results Between 1995 and 2005, 10005 entries were made to the Reading Shoulder Unit database. 3233 patient visits to outpatient clinics were recorded. 6772 operations were recorded – this includes: arthroscopic decompressions (ASD) + AC joint excisions − 3514, MUA for frozen shoulder 842, shoulder arthroplasty 432, open stabilisation 356, arthroscopic stabilisation 192, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) 402, open cuff repair 290, arthroscopic capsular release 78 and 248 trauma cases. Changes in the unit practice include the move from open to arthroscopic reconstructive surgery (RC and stabilisation), RCR rather than ASD alone in elderly patients with impingement and cuff weakness, and repairing partial rotator cuff tears when previously we did not. Conclusions With over 10000 continuous and prospective entries – the RSU database is invaluable for continuous audit of practice and assessment of outcomes of the different procedures. Several practices have changed through the decade; most notably from predominately open reconstructive surgery through to arthroscopic reconstructive surgery. We would recommend to every surgeon and unit to collect his own data prospectively to enable him to analyse and assess his results.