High Priority: No; N/A
Percentage of patients age 18 years and older who were diagnosed with new onset dysphonia within 2 months after a
thyroidectomy who received or were referred for a laryngeal examination to examine vocal fold/cord mobility, and, if
abnormal vocal fold mobility is identified, receive a plan of care for voice rehabilitation.
Denominator:
1. All patients 18 years and older diagnosed with new onset dysphonia within 2 months after a thyroidectomy.
2. All patients who received a laryngeal examination and identified with abnormal vocal fold mobility.
Dysphonia definition: Dysphonia is disorder characterized by harsh and raspy voice arising from or spreading to
the larynx. For the purposes of this measure dysphonia is referring to a change or hoarseness in the patient’s
voice.
Denominator Exclusions:
Exclude patients diagnosed with dysphonia or vocal fold paralysis prior to thyroidectomy and patients undergoing
concurrent laryngectomy at the time of thyroidectomy.
Denominator Exceptions:
Patient refusal of laryngeal examination or plan of care for treatment.
Numerator:
1. Patients who received or were referred for a laryngeal examination to examine vocal fold/cord mobility. Laryngeal
examination definition: examination by a qualified examiner utilizing flexible laryngoscopy, or stroboscopy to
examine vocal fold/cord mobility.
2. Patients who received a plan of care for voice rehabilitation.
Plan of care for voice rehabilitation includes one of the following
• Voice and/or swallowing therapy or referral for voice and/or swallowing therapy to a speech-language pathologist
OR
• Surgical therapy, including but not limited to:
− Injection laryngoplasty
− Framework procedures – operations to improve vocal fold mobility
− Reinnervation – operation to improve vocal fold position
OR
• Medical therapy
Measure Classifications:
- Measure Type: Process
- National Quality Strategy (NQS) domain: Effective Clinical Care
- Meaningful Measure Area: Appropriate Use of Healthcare
- Calculation: 1st Performance Rate
- Inverse measure: No
- Continuous measure: No
- Proportional measure: Yes
- Ratio measure: No
- Risk Adjusted measure: No
