Peter Lovrics1, Nicole Hodgson2, Mary Ann O'Brien3, Lehana Thabane4, Sylvie Cornacchi5, Angela Coates5, Barbara Heller2, Susan Reid2, Kenneth Sanders2, Marko Simunovic6. 1. Department of Surgery, McMaster University and St Joseph's Healthcare, 50 Charlton Avenue East, G802, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada. Electronic address: lovricsp@mcmaster.ca. 2. Department of Surgery, McMaster University and St Joseph's Healthcare, 50 Charlton Avenue East, G802, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Surgical Oncology, Hamilton Health Sciences and Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada. 3. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 4. Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Biostatistics Unit, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada. 5. Department of Surgery, McMaster University and St Joseph's Healthcare, 50 Charlton Avenue East, G802, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada. 6. Department of Surgery, McMaster University and St Joseph's Healthcare, 50 Charlton Avenue East, G802, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Surgical Oncology, Hamilton Health Sciences and Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The investigators designed a sustained, surgeon-directed, iterative project to improve the quality of breast cancer surgery in south central Ontario. METHODS: The strategy included audit and feedback of surgeon-selected quality indicators, workshops, and tailoring interviews. Workshops were held to discuss quality improvement strategies, select quality indicators, review audited results, and select interventions for subsequent implementation. Semistructured tailoring interviews were conducted to identify facilitators and barriers to improved quality. All presentations and results were disseminated to all surgeons performing breast surgery in the study region. RESULTS: Forty-four surgeons performing breast surgery across 12 hospitals are involved in the project. Five workshops have been held since 2005. Surgeons' enthusiasm and involvement in the project have been positive. Interim results demonstrated that over 4 audit cycles (2006-2010), the preoperative core biopsy rate increased from 73% to 92%. The tailoring interviews indicated that 18 of 21 surgeons performed preoperative core biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: This project highlights the feasibility of a surgeon-directed, iterative quality improvement strategy in breast cancer surgery. Interim results demonstrate consistent improvements in a key selected quality indicator.
BACKGROUND: The investigators designed a sustained, surgeon-directed, iterative project to improve the quality of breast cancer surgery in south central Ontario. METHODS: The strategy included audit and feedback of surgeon-selected quality indicators, workshops, and tailoring interviews. Workshops were held to discuss quality improvement strategies, select quality indicators, review audited results, and select interventions for subsequent implementation. Semistructured tailoring interviews were conducted to identify facilitators and barriers to improved quality. All presentations and results were disseminated to all surgeons performing breast surgery in the study region. RESULTS: Forty-four surgeons performing breast surgery across 12 hospitals are involved in the project. Five workshops have been held since 2005. Surgeons' enthusiasm and involvement in the project have been positive. Interim results demonstrated that over 4 audit cycles (2006-2010), the preoperative core biopsy rate increased from 73% to 92%. The tailoring interviews indicated that 18 of 21 surgeons performed preoperative core biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: This project highlights the feasibility of a surgeon-directed, iterative quality improvement strategy in breast cancer surgery. Interim results demonstrate consistent improvements in a key selected quality indicator.
Authors: Nina P Tamirisa; Kristin M Sheffield; Abhishek D Parmar; Christopher J Zimmermann; Deepak Adhikari; Gabriela M Vargas; Yong-Fang Kuo; James S Goodwin; Taylor S Riall Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2015-07 Impact factor: 12.969