Clinical Indicators

Clinical indicators for otolaryngology serve as a checklist for practitioners and a quality care review tool for clinical departments. Clinical Indicators are intended as suggestions, not rules, and should be modified by users when deemed medically necessary. In no sense do they represent a standard of care.

Definition, Purpose, and Background

Clinical indicators for otolaryngology serve as a checklist for practitioners and a quality care review tool for clinical departments. The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. and Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Clinical Indicators are intended as suggestions, not rules, and should be modified by users when deemed medically necessary. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of an indicator for a procedure must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these clinical indicators will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. The AAO-HNS/F emphasizes that these clinical indicators should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. The AAO-HNS/F is not responsible for treatment decisions or care provided by individual physicians. Clinical indicators are not intended to and should not be treated as legal, medical, or business advice.

Information contained in the Clinical Indicators includes:

  • Definitions
  • Procedures and CPT Codes
  • Indications including history, physical examination and tests
  • Postoperative Observations (if applicable)
  • Outcome Review
  • Associated ICD-10-CM Diagnostic Codes
  • Patient Information

Continued improvement of these clinical indicators is an ongoing project. If you have comments or questions about any of the clinical indicators, please contact the Health Policy team.

CPT five-digit codes, nomenclature and other data are copyright 2012 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. No fee schedules, basic units, relative values or related listings are included in CPT. The AMA assumes no liability for the data contained herein.

A list of all clinical indicators for otolaryngology-head and neck surgery is provided below

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