Quality assessment with the AGIR software results and experience.

Purpose: To evaluate whether a new software from the working group for inte rventional radiology (AGIR) is an appropriate tool for quality assurance in interventional radiology, and presentation of results acquired within the quality improvement process in 1999. Patients and methods: AGIR-defined par ameters such as patient data, risk profile, given interventions as well as complications were registered by a recently developed software. Based on mo nthly data analyses, possible complications were identified and discussed i n morbidity and mortality conferences. Results: 1014 interventions were per formed in our institution in 1999. According to criteria established by AGI R, the complication rate was 2.7%. In addition and according to SCVIR crite ria, complications were distinguished quantitatively in five classes and se miquantitatively in minor and major groups. The result was a minor complica tion rate of 1.8%, and a major rate of 0.9%. There were no cases of death a ssociated with the intervention. Further strategies were developed in order to reduce the complication rate. Conclusion: Extensive quality assurance m ethods can be integrated in daily routine work. These methods lead to an in tensive transparency of treatment results, and allow the implementation of continuous quality improvements. The development of the software is a first step in establishing a nation-wide quality assurance system. Nevertheless, modification and additional definition of the AGIR predefined parameters a re required, for example, to avoid unnecessary procedures.