Priority access criteria for elective cholecystectomy: a comparison of three scoring methods.

AIM

To compare two priority access criteria scoring methods for elective cholecystectomy, with a score based on clinical judgement obtained using a linear analogue scale.

METHODS

Patients placed on the waiting list for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy between June and October 1997 were prioritised using the three methods.

RESULTS

Data were obtained for 22 patients. The distributions of scores were different but there was a significant correlation between them. However, limits of agreement analysis demonstrated little agreement between them with a difference of +/- 30 points (out of a 100) between scores obtained with each method.

CONCLUSION

The proposed methods for establishing priority access to elective cholecystectomy are poor tools, require validation and bear little relation to expert clinical judgement.