Centralization of Services: Standard Setting and Outcomes

Abstract

To test specific standards set in the newly established cleft lip and palate service in three regions of the U.K. The standards relate to record collection and outcomes. Retrospective analysis. Records of 31 children, 5 years of age, who were born in 1997 with complete unilateral clefts of lip and palate and were treated by surgeons in three regions. Record collection standards were measured by collecting dental study models. Outcomes were measured with the 5-Year-Old Index. Of the 31 subjects, 52% had excellent and good outcomes. The 31 cases represented 62% of the total records collected. The three regions examined fell short of the standards set, but the outcomes were improved compared with previous national outcomes. The failings in record collection need to be rectified. This study provides baseline data for further development of cleft services within three regions.