Using quality improvement to increase the awareness of obesity among endometrial cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To increase discussion about obesity and endometrial cancer and referrals to weight loss clinic in patients with newly diagnosed low-risk endometrial cancer. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team used a quality improvement methodology to increase patient awareness about obesity and endometrial cancer. Target population included patients <80 years old with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 who underwent surgery at our institution and had a final diagnosis of complex hyperplasia or stage I, grade 1-2 endometrioid endometrial cancer. A toolkit was developed for the intervention. Clinical characteristics, discussion about obesity, and referrals to a weight loss clinic were abstracted for a historic and intervention cohort. Data for the two cohorts were compared using chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and t-test. RESULTS: 54 patients from the historic cohort and 53 from the intervention cohort met inclusion criteria. Clinical characteristics were balanced between the groups. Discussion about obesity increased from 11.1% (6/54) to 79.2% (42/53) after implementing the toolkit (p<0.001). Referrals to the weight loss clinic also increased from 3.7% (2/54) to 26.4% (14/53) after implementing the toolkit (p=0.001), but in both groups only 50% of those referred actually attended the weight loss clinic. No clinical characteristics were identified as associated with being more likely to have documented conversations or referrals. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary quality-improvement project can be used to increase discussion about obesity and referral to a weight loss clinic in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer. Increasing patient awareness of the connection between obesity and endometrial cancer may have implications on the long-term health of endometrial cancer survivors.

Increasing genetic counseling referral rates through bundled interventions after ovarian cancer diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To increase genetic counseling referrals for patients with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: A practice-gap analysis was performed after measuring baseline genetic counseling referral rates to identify barriers to referral from the multidisciplinary single institution EOC care group. A Genetics Referral Toolkit consisting of a referral template, a genetic risk checklist, family history worksheet and provider and patient awareness was developed to address identified gaps with the goal of increasing referral rates. Clinical characteristics, referral placement, completion of genetic counseling/testing were abstracted for a historic cohort and intervention cohort. Data for the two cohorts were compared using chi-square, Fisher's exact test, or t-test. Association with referral was determined by univariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Eighty one patients from July through December 2013 (historic cohort) and 62 patients from July through December 2015 (intervention cohort) were identified as having a new diagnosis of EOC. Among these women, genetic counseling referral rates increased from 48.1% (39/81) in 2013 to 74.2% (46/62) in 2015 (p=0.002) after implementation of the toolkit. In a subset of patients without a previous genetic counseling referral, 87.9% (29/33) completed counseling and 79.3% (23/29) pursued testing from the historic cohort. In the intervention cohort, 60% (24/40) were seen for counseling and 100% (24/24) had testing. CONCLUSION: Application of a quality improvement process to create a Genetics Referral Toolkit increased the genetic counseling referral rate in patients with a new diagnosis of EOC. The majority of patients who were referred completed genetics consultation and elected genetic testing.

Improving Nurse-Physician Teamwork: A Multidisciplinary Collaboration.

Nurses surveyed on an inpatient gynecology surgical unit suggested communication and teamwork between nurses and physicians could be improved. To enhance teamwork, a multidisciplinary collaboration committee of nurses and physicians was created.

Nurses as Champions for Patient Safety and Interdisciplinary Problem Solving.

Nurses on an inpatient surgical unit were apprehensive in activating the Rapid Response Team (RRT). Nurse-led interdisciplinary solutions addressed perceived barriers and led to open communication and issue resolution with physician colleagues.

Optimizing Blood Transfusion Practices Through Bundled Intervention Implementation in Patients With Gynecologic Cancer Undergoing Laparotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine blood transfusion practices and develop a standardized bundle of interventions to address the high rate of perioperative red blood cell transfusion among patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Our primary aim was to determine whether an implemented bundled intervention was associated with a reduction in perioperative red blood cell transfusions among cases of laparotomy for cancer. Secondary aims included comparing perioperative demographic, surgical, complication, and cost data. Interventions included blood transfusion practice standardization using American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines, an intraoperative hemostasis checklist, standardized intraoperative fluid status communication, and evidence-based use of tranexamic acid. Prospective data from women undergoing laparotomy for ovarian or endometrial cancer from September 28, 2015, to May 31, 2016, defined the study cohort and were compared with historical controls (September 1, 2014, to September 25, 2015). Outcomes were compared in the full unadjusted cohorts and in propensity-matched cohorts. RESULTS: In the intervention and historical cohorts, respectively, 89 and 184 women underwent laparotomy for ovarian cancer (n=74 and 152) or advanced endometrial cancer (n=15 and 32). Tranexamic acid was administered in 54 (60.7%) patients. The perioperative transfusion rate was lower for the intervention group compared with historical controls (18.0% [16/89] vs 41.3% [76/184], P<.001), a 56.4% reduction. This improvement in the intervention group remained significant after propensity matching (16.2% [13/80] vs 36.2% [29/80], P=.004). The hospital readmission rate was also lower for the intervention group compared with historical controls (1.1% [1/89] vs 12.5% [23/184], P=.002); however, this improvement did not attain statistical significance after propensity matching (1.2% [1/80] vs 7.5% [6/80], P=.12). Cost analysis demonstrated that this intervention was cost-neutral during index hospitalization plus 30-day follow-up. CONCLUSION: Application of a standardized bundle of evidence-based interventions was associated with reduced blood use in our gynecologic oncology practice.