Improving care after primary cleft palate surgery.

This article reports on the use of a multidisciplinary action plan (MAP) in a tertiary care craniofacial center to evaluate one set of outcomes after primary cleft palate repair (PCPR). Two series of patients undergoing PCPR were studied. The first series of 30 patients was managed by using a set of preprinted order sets developed by plastic surgeons and clinical nurse specialists. The patients were evaluated 90 days after surgery to determine whether they had received the planned postoperative care. Most patients received care from plastic surgeons, and fewer obtained care from otolaryngologists. The second group of patients was managed by using a revised set of preprinted order sets and an MAP developed by both surgical specialty groups. In the second group, the proper postoperative follow-up care was provided by both surgical subspecialists with the revised interdisciplinary order sets and new MAP-directed care.