A comparison of synoptic reports and dictated reports to enhance and standardize surgical documentation and quality of care in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the degree to which synoptic reports (SRs) and dictated reports (DRs) document elements of the Ovarian Cancer Pan-Canadian Standards Data Elements (OCPCDE) checklist, and to compare their completeness. Analysis of dictated versus synoptic reporting has never been performed for suspected epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) based on literature review at the time of data collection (1-12). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed including 254 charts of women 18 years or older, from 2012 to 2017, undergoing surgery for suspected EOC. Charts from five gynecologic oncologists, at a single tertiary care centre were used. The OCPCDE checklist was used to evaluate their completeness. Comparison of completeness between SRs and DRs was done using linear regression with a fixed effect of surgeon to account for intraclass correlation. RESULTS: The data showed that SRs included 20.1% more data elements than DRs. Data elements that may be perceived as being more critical were more likely to be documented in SRs. Residual disease data was documented in 51.7% DR versus 99.1% of SR. Descriptive data upon entering the abdomen was more frequently documented in DRs. CONCLUSION: This study shows that synoptic reporting includes more data elements deemed important by the OCPCDE checklist authors for suspected epithelial ovarian cancer surgery in our centre. We would recommend continuation of SRs in our department, and implementation of synoptic reporting in other gynecologic oncology centres where surgery for suspected epithelial ovarian cancer is performed.

Effects of an Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC) on the Management of Spontaneous Abortions.

OBJECTIVE: Patients who experience spontaneous abortion often present to the emergency department (ED), which may restrict the physician's recommendations for and the patient's choice of therapy. With support provided by an early pregnancy assessment clinic (EPAC), expectant and medical management may become more feasible options for spontaneous abortion. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic choices before and after the establishment of an EPAC and hypothesized that the proportion of miscarriages treated expectantly or medically would increase. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that compared patients presenting to the ED and the EPAC with spontaneous abortion. We excluded patients with hemodynamic instability, complete abortions, ectopic pregnancies, and molar pregnancies. The primary outcome was the initial chosen treatment. The retrospective chart review included demographics, type of spontaneous abortion and management, procedural dictations, ED notes, and EPAC clinic documentation. Secondary end points included wait times, repeat visits, and success rates for the initial treatment option. RESULTS: We reviewed 103 ED and 92 EPAC patient records. Patients in the ED were 1.52 times more likely to choose surgery over expectant or medical management (P = 0.004). Patients in the ED were 1.41 times more likely to have surgery as their final treatment compared with patients in the EPAC (P = 0.006). There were no significant differences in length of stay, number of visits required, or adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that an EPAC results in more patients choosing and successfully being treated by expectant or medical management for spontaneous abortion.