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Watanabe A, Nabata K, Wiseman SM. Synoptic operative reporting in cancer surgery: A scoping review. Am J Surg 2023; 225:878-886. [PMID: 36635131 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Narrative operative reports (NOR) are important for cancer management but often lack key information. This review investigated the efficacy of synoptic operative reports (SORs) for cancer operations compared to NORs. METHODS A database search included published studies up to October 31, 2021. Overall report completeness and reporting frequencies of cancer elements were descriptively compared between NORs and SORs. RESULTS Among 4353 studies, 32 were included. 47% of studies compared NORs to SORs. Overall completeness favored SORs (80 ± 19%) over NORs (47 ± 18%, p < 0.001). Essential cancer operative report elements including tumor location (NOR: 51 ± 28%, SOR: 89 ± 11%, p < 0.001), presence of metastases (NOR: 36 ± 33%, SOR: 96 ± 5%, p < 0.001), and final resection margins (NOR: 39 ± 30%, SOR: 87 ± 17%, p < 0.001) demonstrated higher mean reporting frequencies in SORs. CONCLUSION Overall completeness and reporting of cancer elements were superior in SORs. Although standardization of SORs requires further research, transition from NORs to SORs may improve the quality of postoperative cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akie Watanabe
- Department of Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital & University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Kylie Nabata
- Department of Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital & University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Sam M Wiseman
- Department of Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital & University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
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Standiford TC, Farlow JL, Brenner MJ, Conte ML, Terrell JE. Clinical Decision Support Systems in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: A State of the Art Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021; 166:35-47. [PMID: 33874795 DOI: 10.1177/01945998211004529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To offer practical, evidence-informed knowledge on clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) and their utility in improving care and reducing costs in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. This primer on CDSSs introduces clinicians to both the capabilities and the limitations of this technology, reviews the literature on current state, and seeks to spur further progress in this area. DATA SOURCES PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. REVIEW METHODS Scoping review of CDSS literature applicable to otolaryngology clinical practice. Investigators identified articles that incorporated knowledge-based computerized CDSSs to aid clinicians in decision making and workflow. Data extraction included level of evidence, Osheroff classification of CDSS intervention type, otolaryngology subspecialty or domain, and impact on provider performance or patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Of 3191 studies retrieved, 11 articles met formal inclusion criteria. CDSS interventions included guideline or protocols support (n = 8), forms and templates (n = 5), data presentation aids (n = 2), and reactive alerts, reference information, or order sets (all n = 1); 4 studies had multiple interventions. CDSS studies demonstrated effectiveness across diverse domains, including antibiotic stewardship, cancer survivorship, guideline adherence, data capture, cost reduction, and workflow. Implementing CDSSs often involved collaboration with health information technologists. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE While the published literature on CDSSs in otolaryngology is finite, CDSS interventions are proliferating in clinical practice, with roles in preventing medical errors, streamlining workflows, and improving adherence to best practices for head and neck disorders. Clinicians may collaborate with information technologists and health systems scientists to develop, implement, and investigate the impact of CDSSs in otolaryngology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janice L Farlow
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael J Brenner
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Marisa L Conte
- Department of Research and Informatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Terrell
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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3
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Azadnajafabad S, Saeedi Moghaddam S, Mohammadi E, Rezaei N, Ghasemi E, Fattahi N, Aminorroaya A, Azadnajafabad R, Aryannejad A, Rezaei N, Naderimagham S, Haghpanah V, Mokdad AH, Gharib H, Farzadfar F, Larijani B. Global, regional, and national burden and quality of care index (QCI) of thyroid cancer: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2017. Cancer Med 2021; 10:2496-2508. [PMID: 33665966 PMCID: PMC7982631 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent malignancy of the endocrine system. Over the past decades, TC incidence rates have been increasing. TC quality of care (QOC) has yet to be well understood. We aimed to assess the quality of TC care and its disparities. METHODS We retrieved primary epidemiologic indices from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 1990-2017 database. We calculated four secondary indices of mortality to incidence ratio, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to prevalence ratio, prevalence to incidence ratio, and years of life lost (YLLs) to years lived with disability (YLD) ratio and summarized them by the principal component analysis (PCA) to produce one unique index presented as the quality of care index (QCI) ranged between 0 and 100, to compare different scales. The gender disparity ratio (GDR), defined as the QCI for females divided by QCI for males, was applied to show gender inequity. RESULTS In 2017, there were 255,489 new TC incident cases (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 245,709-272,470) globally, which resulted in 41,235 deaths (39,911-44,139). The estimated global QCI was 84.39. The highest QCI was observed in the European region (93.84), with Italy having the highest score (99.77). Conversely, the lowest QCI was seen in the African region (55.09), where the Central African Republic scored the lowest (13.64). The highest and lowest socio-demographic index (SDI) regions scored 97.27 and 53.85, respectively. Globally, gender disparity was higher after the age of 40 years and in favor of better care in women. CONCLUSION TC QOC is better among those countries of higher socioeconomic status, possibly due to better healthcare access and early detection in these regions. Overall, the quality of TC care was higher in women and younger adults. Countries could adopt the introduced index of QOC to investigate the quality of provided care for different diseases and conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Azadnajafabad
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Esmaeil Mohammadi
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Negar Rezaei
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Erfan Ghasemi
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Nima Fattahi
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Arya Aminorroaya
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Reza Azadnajafabad
- Department of ElectricalElectronic and Information EngineeringUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Armin Aryannejad
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Nazila Rezaei
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Shohreh Naderimagham
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Vahid Haghpanah
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Ali H. Mokdad
- Institute for Health Metrics and EvaluationUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | | | - Farshad Farzadfar
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences InstituteTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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Moon JH, Steinhubl SR. Digital Medicine in Thyroidology: A New Era of Managing Thyroid Disease. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2019; 34:124-131. [PMID: 31257740 PMCID: PMC6599900 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2019.34.2.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Digital medicine has the capacity to affect all aspects of medicine, including disease prediction, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment management. In the field of thyroidology, researchers are also investigating potential applications of digital technology for the thyroid disease. Recent studies using artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) have reported reasonable performance for the classification of thyroid nodules based on ultrasonographic (US) images. AI/ML-based methods have also shown good diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid lesions based on cytopathologic findings. Assistance from AI/ML methods could overcome the limitations of conventional thyroid US and fine-needle aspiration cytology. A web-based database has been developed for thyroid cancer care. In addition to its role as a nationwide registry of thyroid cancer, it is expected to serve as a clinical platform to facilitate better thyroid cancer care and as a research platform providing comprehensive disease-specific big data. Evidence has been found that biosignal monitoring with wearable devices may predict thyroid dysfunction. This real-world thyroid function monitoring could aid in the management and early detection of thyroid dysfunction. In the thyroidology field, research involving the range of digital medicine technologies and their clinical applications is expected to be even more active in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hoon Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
| | - Steven R Steinhubl
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Twining CL, Lupo MA, Tuttle RM. Implementing Key Changes in the American Thyroid Association 2015 Thyroid Nodules/Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Guidelines Across Practice Types. Endocr Pract 2018; 24:833-840. [PMID: 30308136 DOI: 10.4158/ep-2018-0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article provides suggestions to help clinicians implement important changes in the 2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma ("ATA 2015") across diverse settings. METHODS Key ATA 2015 changes are summarized regarding: ( 1) thyroid nodule management; ( 2) lobectomy versus thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC); and ( 3) surveillance following primary treatment of DTC. Advice to facilitate implementation is based on clinical experience and selected literature. RESULTS Strategies are described to enhance acquisition of high-quality information that helps identify patients who may possibly avoid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules or total thyroidectomy for DTC, or undergo less intense postoperative surveillance. Sonographic imaging of nodules may improve if sonograms are obtained by clinicians ordering or performing FNA or trusted high-volume sonographers. Cytopathologic assessment and reporting can be improved by working with regional or national experts. Pre-operative evaluation by endocrinologists is important so that patients are referred to experienced, proficient surgeons and assisted with well-informed decision-making regarding surgical radicality. Endocrinologists and surgeons should ensure performance of pre-operative neck ultrasonography, voice/laryngeal evaluation, and contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging when appropriate. Findings should be disseminated to all healthcare team members, ideally through a comprehensive medical record accessible to the entire team. CONCLUSION Optimization of the sequence of specialist visits and assembly of interactive multidisciplinary teams coupled with intensified interdisciplinary and patient communication may enable clinicians to more effectively implement ATA 2015, which calls for more individualized, and often, less "invasive" management of thyroid nodules and DTC. ABBREVIATIONS ATA 2009 = 2009 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma; ATA 2015 = 2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma; DTC = differentiated thyroid carcinoma; FNA = fine-needle aspiration; PET/CT = positron emission tomography/computed tomography.
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Urken ML, Randolph G, Orloff L, Wenig BM, Machado R, Osorio M, Griffin M, Tuttle RM. THE ROLE OF ELECTRONIC FEEDBACK LOOPS IN THE CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF THYROID NODULE AND THYROID CANCER CARE. Endocr Pract 2017; 23:1024-1027. [PMID: 28614008 DOI: 10.4158/ep161739.co] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Likhterov I, Tuttle RM, Haser GC, Su HK, Bergman D, Alon EE, Bernet V, Brett E, Cobin R, Dewey EH, Doherty G, Dos Reis LL, Klopper J, Lee SL, Lupo MA, Machac J, Mechanick JI, Milas M, Orloff L, Randolph G, Ross DS, Rowe ME, Smallridge R, Terris D, Tufano RP, Urken ML. Improving the adoption of thyroid cancer clinical practice guidelines. Laryngoscope 2016; 126:2640-2645. [PMID: 27074952 DOI: 10.1002/lary.25986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To present an overview of the barriers to the implementation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in thyroid cancer management and to introduce a computer-based clinical support system. DATA SOURCES PubMed. REVIEW METHODS A review of studies on adherence to CPGs was conducted. RESULTS Awareness and adoption of CPGs is low in thyroid cancer management. Barriers to implementation include unfamiliarity with the CPGs and financial concerns. Effective interventions to improve adherence are possible, especially when they are readily accessible at the point of care delivery. Computerized clinical support systems show particular promise. The authors introduce the clinical decision making modules (CDMMs) of the Thyroid Cancer Care Collaborative, a thyroid cancer-specific electronic health record. These computer-based modules can assist clinicians with implementation of these recommendations in clinical practice. CONCLUSION Computer-based support systems can help clinicians understand and adopt the thyroid cancer CPGs. By integrating patient characteristics and guidelines at the point of care delivery, the CDMMs can improve adherence to the guidelines and help clinicians provide high-quality, evidence-based, and individualized patient care in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer. Laryngoscope, 126:2640-2645, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Likhterov
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, New York
| | | | - Grace C Haser
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer (THANC) Foundation, New York, New York.
| | - Henry K Su
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer (THANC) Foundation, New York, New York
| | - Donald Bergman
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, and the Division of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Eran E Alon
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Victor Bernet
- Department of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Elise Brett
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, and the Division of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Rhoda Cobin
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, and the Division of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Eliza H Dewey
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer (THANC) Foundation, New York, New York
| | - Gerard Doherty
- Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Laura L Dos Reis
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer (THANC) Foundation, New York, New York
| | - Joshua Klopper
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, U.S.A
| | - Stephanie L Lee
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Mark A Lupo
- Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida, Florida State University College of Medicine, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Josef Machac
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, and the Division of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jeffrey I Mechanick
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, and the Division of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Mira Milas
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A
| | - Lisa Orloff
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, U.S.A
| | - Gregory Randolph
- Department of Otolaryngology and the Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Douglas S Ross
- Department of Otolaryngology and the Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Meghan E Rowe
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer (THANC) Foundation, New York, New York
| | - Robert Smallridge
- Department of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - David Terris
- Department of Otolaryngology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, U.S.A
| | - Ralph P Tufano
- Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Mark L Urken
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, New York
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Mehra S, Tuttle RM, Milas M, Orloff L, Bergman D, Bernet V, Brett E, Cobin R, Doherty G, Judson BL, Klopper J, Lee S, Lupo M, Machac J, Mechanick JI, Randolph G, Ross DS, Smallridge R, Terris D, Tufano R, Alon E, Clain J, DosReis L, Scherl S, Urken ML. Database and registry research in thyroid cancer: striving for a new and improved national thyroid cancer database. Thyroid 2015; 25:157-68. [PMID: 25517683 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2014.0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health registries have become extremely powerful tools for cancer research. Unfortunately, certain details and the ability to adapt to new information are necessarily limited in current registries, and they cannot address many controversial issues in cancer management. This is of particular concern in differentiated thyroid cancer, which is rapidly increasing in incidence and has many unknowns related to optimal treatment and surveillance recommendations. SUMMARY In this study, we review different types of health registries used in cancer research in the United States, with a focus on their advantages and disadvantages as related to the study of thyroid cancer. This analysis includes population-based cancer registries, health systems-based cancer registries, and patient-based disease registries. It is important that clinicians understand the way data are collected in, as well as the composition of, these different registries in order to more critically interpret the clinical research that is conducted using that data. In an attempt to address shortcoming of current databases for thyroid cancer, we present the potential of an innovative web-based disease management tool for thyroid cancer called the Thyroid Cancer Care Collaborative (TCCC) to become a patient-based registry that can be used to evaluate and improve the quality of care delivered to patients with thyroid cancer as well as to answer questions that we have not been able to address with current databases and registries. CONCLUSION A cancer registry that follows a specific patient, is integrated into physician workflow, and collects data across different treatment sites and different payers does not exist in the current fragmented system of healthcare in the United States. The TCCC offers physicians who treat thyroid cancer numerous time-saving and quality improvement services, and could significantly improve patient care. With rapid adoption across the nation, the TCCC could become a new paradigm for database research in thyroid cancer to improve our understanding of thyroid cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saral Mehra
- 1 Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, Connecticut
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Dos Reis LL, Tuttle RM, Alon E, Bergman DA, Bernet V, Brett EM, Cobin R, Doherty G, Harris JR, Klopper J, Lee SL, Lupo M, Milas M, Machac J, Mechanick JI, Orloff L, Randolph G, Ross DS, Smallridge RC, Terris DJ, Tufano RP, Mehra S, Scherl S, Clain JB, Urken ML. What is the gold standard for comprehensive interinstitutional communication of perioperative information for thyroid cancer patients? A comparison of existing electronic health records with the current American Thyroid Association recommendations. Thyroid 2014; 24:1466-72. [PMID: 25036190 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2014.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appropriate management of well-differentiated thyroid cancer requires treating clinicians to have access to critical elements of the patient's presentation, surgical management, postoperative course, and pathologic assessment. Electronic health records (EHRs) provide an effective method for the storage and transmission of patient information, although most commercially available EHRs are not intended to be disease-specific. In addition, there are significant challenges for the sharing of relevant clinical information when providers involved in the care of a patient with thyroid cancer are not connected by a common EHR. In 2012, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) defined the critical elements for optimal interclinician communication in a position paper entitled, "The Essential Elements of Interdisciplinary Communication of Perioperative Information for Patients Undergoing Thyroid Cancer Surgery." SUMMARY We present a field-by-field comparison of the ATA's essential elements as applied to three contemporary electronic reporting systems: the Thyroid Surgery e-Form from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), the Alberta WebSMR from the University of Calgary, and the Thyroid Cancer Care Collaborative (TCCC). The MSKCC e-form fulfills 21 of 32 intraoperative fields and includes an additional 14 fields not specifically mentioned in the ATA's report. The Alberta WebSMR fulfills 45 of 82 preoperative and intraoperative fields outlined by the ATA and includes 13 additional fields. The TCCC fulfills 117 of 120 fields outlined by the ATA and includes 23 additional fields. CONCLUSIONS Effective management of thyroid cancer is a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary effort. The patient information that factors into clinical decisions about thyroid cancer is complex. For these reasons, EHRs are particularly favorable for the management of patients with thyroid cancer. The MSKCC Thyroid Surgery e-Form, the Alberta WebSMR, and the TCCC each meet all of the general recommendations for effective reporting of the specific domains that they cover in the management of thyroid cancer, as recommended by the ATA. However, the TCCC format is the most comprehensive. The TCCC is a new Web-based disease-specific database to enhance communication of patient information between clinicians in a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant manner. We believe the easy-to-use TCCC format will enhance clinician communication while providing portability of thyroid cancer information for patients.
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