Preventing the Next Neglected Pessary: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Abstract

Importance Pessaries are commonly used to manage pelvic organ prolapse. Pessary management can be done by a medical professional or the patient themselves. Pessary complications are rare. However, pessaries can be difficult to track, and patients who are lost to follow-up are at an increased risk of complications such as vaginal ulceration, pessary embedment, and fistulization. Objectives To create and implement a quality improvement initiative focusing on preventing neglected pessaries. Study Design Through the electronic medical record, we implemented a quality improvement initiative focused on creating a workflow where a pessary can be designated as an implant when inserted. A year after implementation, data was gathered. Results We identified 37% (55/147) of patients without follow-up in the 3 months after pessary placement. Of those, 24% were no longer using pessaries, 24% were self-maintaining or having surveillance with their primary OB/GYN, 16% had surgery for pelvic organ prolapse since placement of the pessary, 15% were lost to follow-up and were considered to be patients “at risk,” and 12% did not have a pessary placed to begin with. Review showed 53% of patients with proper documentation and designation of pessary as an implant. Conclusions This quality improvement initiative can identify patients lost to follow-up, leading to improved patient care and potential to prevent complications.