Failure to Rescue (FTR) is used as a surgical outcome and quality measure.
Patient selection: surgical patient
Parameters:
(1) number of patients having a complication after surgery
(2) number of patients with a complication who died
FTR =
= (number of patients with a complication who died) / (number of patients with a complication)
Interpretation:
• The lower the ratio the better.
• A ratio higher than peers (surgeons or institutions) may indicate the presence of a problem and needs to be investigated.
Limitations in use:
(1) preventability of complications or death
(2) emergency vs elective surgery
(3) use of modifications (inclusion or exclusion of certain complications)
(4) complexity of surgery
(5) gaming
