AAO-HNS/F Network Search

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) occurs when gastric contents (acid and enzymes such as pepsin) flow in a retrograde fashion and contact the tissues of the upper aerodigestive tract.  LPR may be associated with chronic sore throat, hoarseness, frequent throat clearing, cough, globus sensation, refractory asthma, laryngeal…

Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate velopharyngeal, phonatory, and swallowing functions in adults and children. This study allows for assessment of the anatomy as well as direct observation of swallowing function and control of the movement of secretions…

Utilization review companies must be registered in the state in which the review will be done. Guidelines used for making reviews should be available to those physicians. Individuals conducting reviews should be board certified in those specialties they are reviewing, and practice within the same…

With the emergence of the clinical doctorate degree in allied healthcare fields including nursing, audiology, and speech-language pathology, allied healthcare providers who have achieved their doctorate degrees are increasingly using the title of “Doctor” in their practice settings, advertisements, and other patient communications.Since…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that the advisability of surgery or other specific therapy can be a matter of opinion. It reaffirms the traditional right of the patient's freedom of choice. It opposes the concept of mandatory second…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery agrees with the policy of the American Medical Association that surgeons should be allowed to do all procedures for which they are qualified by training and experience. Otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons are, by training…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery supports physician-directed collaborative and coordinated team care. However, all members of the healthcare team (Doctors of Medicine, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, and non-physicians) should clearly identify their training and/or credentials to avoid any…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery fully supports access to emergency otolaryngologic care for all members of our communities, but there are serious issues of surgical manpower and resource allocation which represent a threat to timely patient access. While hospitals bear a…

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is characterized by recurrent papillomatous lesions that grow primarily on the vocal folds but may involve other parts of the upper airway.(1-2) This disease can affect both children and adults.(1-2) Although it is a benign disease, malignant…

(Modified from the Journal of the American Medical Association, May 17, 1995) Medicine is, at its center, a moral enterprise grounded in a covenant of trust. This covenant obliges physicians to be competent and to use their competence in the patient's best interests…

Citizens around the world are experiencing a rapidly spreading pandemic infection due to the coronavirus, SARS-CoV2. The propensity to spread through human-to-human transmission has been demonstrated in many countries with a troubling exponential rate that has led to steep curves of onset…

When the presence of an industry representative is necessary, helpful, or confers an educational benefit in this setting, the otolaryngologist and industry representative have certain responsibilities to the patient and staff in the Operating Room or Procedure Room (collectively referred to as the “OR” in…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that photodocumentation of patients and procedures during humanitarian efforts is critical for record-keeping, scholarship, and fund-raising. However, the AAO-HNS also recognizes that the threat to patient privacy by the online publication of…

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) (or more appropriately termed Evidence-Based Practice) is an approach to the practice of healthcare comprised of the synthesis of the best available evidence from the biomedical literature, the clinical expertise of the provider, and the preferences of the patient. Overall…

Otolaryngologists play a vital role as educators in addressing the health risks associated with tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Many adolescents are unaware that e-cigarettes contain highly addictive nicotine. Nicotine exposure during adolescence is associated with increased risks of addiction, depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity…

The ultimate responsibility for delineating clinical privileges in the hospital setting rests with the institution's governing board and is discharged through the organized medical staff. Privilege delineation is an institutional function aimed at matching the clinical privileges accorded to each member of the medical…

If indicated for their condition, patients with communicable diseases (such a hepatitis or human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection) shall not be denied treatment. Decisions concerning care for patients who are infected with HIV, hepatitis-B virus (HBV), resistant tuberculosis (TB), and other communicable diseases are…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery strongly supports, as being in the public interest, the establishment of reimbursement plans by third-party payers that promote the patient's freedom of choice of physicians among all appropriately trained physicians (MD, DO) licensed…