Promoting timely goals of care conversations between gynecologic cancer patients at high-risk of death and their providers.

OBJECTIVE: We designed a multi-faceted intervention to increase the rate of outpatient goals of care (GOC) conversations in women with gynecologic cancers who are at high-risk of death. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A multidisciplinary team developed an educational program around GOC conversations at end-of-life and chose criteria to prospectively identify patients at high-risk of death who might benefit from timely GOC conversations: recurrent or metastatic endometrial, cervical or vulvar cancer or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Gynecologic oncology provider consensus was built regarding the need to improve the quality and timing of GOC conversations. Eligible outpatients were prospectively identified and providers alerted pre-encounter; timely GOC documentation within 3 visits of high-risk identification was tracked. Our institution concurrently and subsequently tracked GOC documentation during the last 6 months of life among all established oncology patients. RESULTS: Of 220 pilot period high-risk patients (96 pre- and 124 during pilot period 2017-2018), timely GOC discussion documentation increased from 30.2% to 88.7% (p < 0.001) and this increase was sustained over time. In the post-pilot period (2019-2020), among patients seen by oncologists during last 6 months of life, compared to other cancer types, gynecologic cancer patients had a higher rate of GOC documentation (81% versus 9%; p < 0.001), a lower rate of receiving chemotherapy during the last 14 days of life (2% vs 5%; p = 0.051), and no difference in end-of-life admissions (29% vs 31%; p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of systematic outpatient identification of high-risk gynecologic oncology patients is feasible, sustainable, and increases the timely conduct of GOC conversations.

A quality improvement initiative to reduce venous thromboembolism on a gynecologic oncology service.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate the effects of implementation of a venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis quality improvement (QI) initiative on a gynecologic oncology service at a single institution. METHODS: Prior to 2018, no consensus gynecologic oncology VTE prophylaxis protocol existed at the authors' academic institution. Published, evidence-based guidelines were reviewed to create a standardized VTE risk stratification algorithm. Interventions to improve perioperative heparin administration and sequential compression device (SCD) compliance as well as provider/patient education efforts were introduced in January 2018. Initial efforts included nursing and patient SCD education, internal dissemination of VTE prophylaxis guidelines, and creation of a VTE 'dashboard' to track performance. During a second phase, VTE prophylaxis guidelines were reviewed and further refined, non-compliant operative cases reviewed weekly, and guidelines incorporated into the electronic medical record. Performance was measured using Tableau data software (www.tableau.com) and by separately evaluating adherence to the developed guidelines in three retrospective cancer-enriched surgical cohorts (2016-2017, 2018, 2019). RESULTS: Compared to the baseline period, we observed a reduction in VTE rate during the 2018-2019 VTE QI implementation period from 2.1% (19/905) to 1.0% (20/2015, p = 0.02) among gynecologic oncology inpatients. In the retrospective cancer-enriched cohorts, adherence to evidence based guidelines improved: 31.0% in 2016-2017, 69.1% in 2018, and 82.4% in 2019 (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of peri-operative blood transfusion, surgical site infections, hematomas, or vaginal cuff dehiscences. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a robust VTE prophylaxis QI initiative has resulted in improved VTE prophylaxis guideline adherence and higher rates of pre-operative heparin administration.

Cost-Effectiveness of Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer.

PURPOSE: Two recent clinical trials have demonstrated that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are effective as venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients with moderate-to-high risk ambulatory cancer initiating chemotherapy. Patients with advanced ovarian cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy are at particularly increased risk of VTE. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis from a health system perspective to determine if DOACs are a feasible prophylactic strategy in this population. METHODS: A simple decision tree was created from a health system perspective, comparing two strategies: prophylactic DOAC taken for 18 weeks during chemotherapy versus no VTE prophylaxis. Rates of VTE (7.3% DOAC v 13.6% no treatment), major bleeding (2.6% v 1.3%), and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (4.6% v 3.3%) were modeled. Cost estimates were obtained from wholesale drug costs, published studies, and Medicare reimbursement data. Probabilistic, one-way, and two-way sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the base case model, DOAC prophylaxis is more costly and more effective than no therapy (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio = $256,218 in US dollars/quality-adjusted life year). In one-way sensitivity analyses, reducing the DOAC cost by 32% or raising the baseline VTE rate above 18% renders this strategy potentially cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio below $150,000 in US dollars/quality-adjusted life year. CONCLUSION: Further confirmation of the true baseline VTE rate among women initiating neoadjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer will determine whether prophylactic dose DOAC is a value-based strategy. Less costly VTE prophylaxis options such as generic DOACs (once available) and aspirin also warrant investigation.

Intrapartum and Postpartum Management of Intra-amniotic Infection.

IMPORTANCE: Intra-amniotic infection (IAI) is a common condition with potentially devastating maternal and neonatal complications. However, there are incomplete data regarding the most effective antimicrobial treatment regimen for this condition. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to review the current evidence and recommendations for intrapartum and postpartum management of IAI. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Original research articles, review articles, and guidelines on IAI were reviewed. RESULTS: Numerous known risk factors for IAI exist, some of which are modifiable. Serious neonatal complications can result from exposure to IAI including increased risk of preterm birth and neonatal death. Possible maternal complications include increased risk of cesarean delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and postpartum endometritis. Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for IAI for both mothers and neonates, although there is no consensus on which antimicrobial agents are best and the appropriate duration of therapy. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Monitoring patients for signs of IAI, proper treatment, and communication of the diagnosis with the pediatric team are essential for preventing maternal and neonatal complications of IAI. More research is needed to determine the proper treatment regimens for both mothers diagnosed with IAI and their neonates.