Optimizing Hospital Performance Evaluation in Total Weight Loss Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis to Guide Further Improvement in Dutch Hospitals

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Bariatric surgery aims for optimal patient outcomes, often evaluated through the percentage total weight loss (%TWL). Quality registries employ funnel plots for outcome comparisons between hospitals. However, funnel plots are traditionally used for dichotomous outcomes, requiring %TWL to be dichotomized, potentially limiting feedback quality. This study evaluates whether a funnel plot around the median %TWL has better discriminatory performance than binary funnel plots for achieving at least 20% and 25% TWL. Methods All hospitals performing bariatric surgery were included from the Dutch Audit for Treatment of Obesity. A funnel plot around the median was constructed using 5-year %TWL data. Hospitals positioned above the 95% control limit were colored green and those below red. The same hospitals were plotted in the binary funnel plots for 20% and 25% TWL and colored according to their performance in the funnel plot around the median. We explored the hospital’s procedural mix in relation to %TWL performance as possible explanatory factors. Results The median-based funnel plot identified four underperforming and four outperforming hospitals, while only one underperforming and no outperforming hospitals were found with the binary funnel plot for 20% TWL. The 25% TWL binary funnel plot identified two underperforming and three outperforming hospitals. The proportion of sleeve gastrectomies performed per hospital may explain part of these results as it was negatively associated with median %TWL (β =  − 0.09, 95% confidence interval [− 0.13 to − 0.04]). Conclusion The funnel plot around the median discriminated better between hospitals with significantly worse and better performance than funnel plots for dichotomized %TWL outcomes. Graphical Abstract