Quality and Outcomes Reports - Ear, Nose and Throat

Surgical Volume - Airway, Digestive and Voice

Why we measure it - Airway problems requiring surgery are rare, and very few pediatric programs exist nationwide. Research shows that physicians and hospitals that treat a large number of patients tend to provide better care and have improved outcomes for treatments and procedures.

What this means - Referral volume varies from year to year. Children with complex aerodigestive abnormalities, which impact breathing, swallowing and feeding, require integrated support from multiple specialists.

About the data - This data reflects the number of visits captured in our registration system in years 2007-2010.

Related dimensions of care:

What we're doing to provide the best care:

  • We coordinate the full range of services children with complex aerodigestive problems need for proper diagnosis and treatment in the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Aerodigestive Clinic. Team members from all involved specialties develop a treatment plan together and talk regularly about the child's progress, including updating the child's primary care physician. 
  • We provide a nurse call line so parents can reach a nurse or doctor quickly with any questions or concerns. Parents can call (414) 266-7514 during clinic hours (9 am - 5 pm weekdays) and a nurse will call back within two hours. After hours or on weekends and holidays, parents can call (414) 805-3666 and ask for the ENT doctor on call.
  • Appointments are coordinated so families can see multiple specialists in one visit.
  • We offer a Tracheal Surgery Program to care for children with mild to complex tracheal stenosis and other tracheal problems.
  • We perform many outpatient procedures at our Surgicenter location near the Milwaukee hospital, approximately 10 minutes from Children's Hospital. Here, patients may be scheduled sooner and enjoy the convenience of a smaller facility, while being cared for by the same pediatric ENT surgeons and pediatric anesthesiologists they would see at the hospital.
  • We added inpatient beds with the hospital expansion. We also increased the number of recovery, consultation and waiting rooms at our Surgicenter location.
  • All of our pediatric otolaryngologists are fellowship-trained. 
  • We have pediatric-trained anesthesiologists and an excellent Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staffed by pediatric experts. This helps us achieve better outcomes than our peers.
  • We have a team including nurses and advanced practice nurses to help coordinate inpatient care and smooth the transition to outpatient care.
  • We are using a process improvement initiative in the surgery area to enhance efficiencies and allow health care providers to focus on quality interactions with their patients.
  • Families traveling from long distances are encouraged to use our Family Accommodations Program to make travel arrangements and coordinate appointments. Children's Hospital has partnered with non-profit organizations like Ronald McDonald House and Kathy's House to offer comfortable, "home away from home" accommodations. Local hotel chains on our referral list also offer discounts for patient families.  

Patients and families:

  • Take a pre-operative tour, which will help prepare patients and families for the procedure and hospital stay.
  • Follow all eating and drinking restrictions before surgery.
  • Bring a list of the medications your child takes with you on the day of the surgery. Make sure to include the name of the medication, the dose/amount and how your child takes it (swallows a pill, drinks a liquid). This is important information to help us care for your child while he or she is in the hospital.
  • Provide your referring doctor's name and address so we can send a detailed letter about the surgery that is performed.
  • If you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, please call Central Scheduling, at (877) 607-5280 or (414) 607-5280 as soon as possible to reschedule so another child can be seen.

Referring physicians:

  • Referring physicians can access our specialists for consultation or transport 24 hours a day. Call our physician referral line at (800) 266-0366.  
  • Health care providers from outside of our southeastern Wisconsin service area are encouraged to use our web-based 
    e-Consult service. This service is available for non-urgent patient cases only and gives providers access to our specialists to review patient cases, obtain medical advice or second opinions, and receive care recommendations for rare symptoms and illnesses.
    e-Consult is not to be used by the general public, parents/guardians or families.
  • Care guidelines for medical professionals
  • Educational materials
  • Pocket Directory

If you have questions about this information, email us or call (414) 266-6556.