PRIORITY ACCESS CRITERIA FOR ELECTIVE CHOLECYSTECTOMY - A COMPARISON OF 3 SCORING METHODS

Aim. To compare two priority access criteria scoring methods for elect ive cholecystectomy, with a score based on clinical judgement obtained using a linear analogue scale. Methods. Patients placed on the waitin g list for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy between June and Octo ber 1997 were prioritised using the three methods. Results. Data were obtained for 22 patients. The distributions of scores were different b ut there was a significant correlation between them. However, limits o f agreement analysis demonstrated little agreement between them with a difference of +/-30 points tout of a 100) between scores obtained wit h each method. Conclusion. The proposed methods for establishing prior ity access to elective cholecystectomy are poor tools, require validat ion and bear little relation to expert clinical judgement.