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Synoptic operative reports enhance documentation of best practices for rectal cancer
Author(s) -
Maniar Reagan L.,
Sytnik Peter,
Wirtzfeld Debrah A.,
Hochman David J.,
McKay Andrew M.,
Yip Benson,
Hebbard Pamela C.,
Park Jason
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.24039
Subject(s) - medicine , checklist , documentation , colorectal cancer , cohort , protocol (science) , best practice , cohort study , cancer , medical physics , surgery , general surgery , alternative medicine , pathology , psychology , management , computer science , economics , cognitive psychology , programming language
Background Implementation of best practices surgical checklists improves patient safety and outcomes. However, documenting performance of these practices can be challenging. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons developed a Best Practices for Rectal Cancer Checklist (RCC) to standardize and improve the quality of rectal cancer surgery. This study compared the degree to which synoptic (SR) and narrative (NR) operative reports document RCC items. Methods Two reviewers independently reviewed a cohort of prospectively collected SR for rectal cancer surgery and a case‐matched historical cohort of NR. Reports were reviewed for documentation of performance of operative items on the RCC. Abstraction time and inter‐rater agreement were also measured. Results SR scored significantly higher than NR on the overall checklist score (mean adjusted score ± standard deviation 12.4 ± 0.9 vs. 5.7 ± 1.9, maximum possible score 18, P < 0.001). Reviewers abstracted data significantly faster from SR. Inter‐rater agreement between reviewers was high for both types of reports. Conclusions SR were associated with reliable and more complete and reliable documentation of items on the RCC. Use of an SR system standardizes operative reporting, providing the opportunity to enhance checklist compliance, and enable timely feedback to improve surgical outcomes for rectal cancer patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:555–560 . © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.