scholarly journals Controversial Areas in Axillary Staging: Are We Following the Guidelines?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ava Armani ◽  
Sasha Douglas ◽  
Swati Kulkarni ◽  
Anne Wallace ◽  
Sarah Blair
Keyword(s):  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Lymph Node Biopsy ◽  
Axillary Staging ◽  
Hormone Receptor Positive ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
General Surgeons ◽  
American Society ◽  
Academic Surgeons

Abstract Background Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been the standard of care for clinically node-negative women with invasive breast cancer (IBC); however, there is less agreement on whether to perform SLNB when the risk of metastasis is low or when it does not affect survival or locoregional control. Methods An Institutional Review Board-approved survey was sent to members of the American Society of Breast Surgeons asking in which scenarios surgeons would recommend SLNB. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis were performed using SPSS software. Results There was a 23% response rate; 68% identified as breast surgical oncologists, 6% as surgical oncologists, 24% as general surgeons, and 2% as other. The majority practiced in a community setting (71%) versus an academic setting (29%). In a healthy female with clinical T1N0 hormone receptor-positive (HR+) IBC, 83% favored SLNB if the patient was 75 years of age, versus 35% if the patient was 85 years of age. Academic surgeons were less likely to perform axillary staging in a healthy 75-year-old (odds ratio [OR] 0.51 [0.32–0.80], p = 0.004) or a healthy 85-year-old (OR 0.48 [0.31–0.74], p = 0.001). For DCIS, 32% endorsed SLNB in women undergoing lumpectomy, with breast surgical oncologists and academic surgeons being less likely to endorse this procedure (OR 0.54 [0.36–0.82], p = 0.028; and OR 0.53 [0.34–0.83], p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions Despite studies showing that omitting SLNB in older patients with HR+ IBC does not impact regional control or survival, most surgeons are still opting for axillary staging. In addition, one in three are performing SLNB for lumpectomies for DCIS. Breast surgical oncologists and academic surgeons were more likely to be practicing based on recent data and guidelines. Practice patterns are changing but there is still room for improvement.

scholarly journals Prevalence and associated factors for burnout among attending general surgeons: a national cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suleyman Utku Celik ◽  
Alperen Aslan ◽  
Eylul Coskun ◽  
Beyza Nur Coban ◽  
Zeynep Haner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Workplace Stress ◽  
Personal Accomplishment ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Practice Characteristics ◽  
Training And Research ◽  
General Surgeons ◽  
At Risk Populations

Abstract Background Burnout resulting from long-term and unmanaged workplace stress is high among healthcare professionals, especially surgeons, and affects both individuals and the quality of patient care. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors for burnout among attending general surgeons and to identify possible preventive strategies. Methods A national cross-sectional survey using a 35-item questionnaire was conducted among members of the Turkish Surgical Society. The survey evaluated demographics, professional and practice characteristics, social participation, and burnout as well as interventions to deal with burnout. Burnout was defined as a high score on the emotional exhaustion (EE) and/or depersonalization (DP) subscales. Surgeons with high scores on both the EE and DP and a low score on personal accomplishment (PA) were considered to have severe burnout. Results Six hundred fifteen general surgeons completed the survey. The median EE, DP, and PA scores were 34 (IQR, 20–43), 9 (IQR, 4–16), and 36 (IQR, 30–42), respectively. Overall, the prevalence of burnout and severe burnout were 69.1 and 22.0%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with burnout were working in a training and research hospital (OR = 3.34; P < 0.001) or state hospital (OR = 2.77; P = 0.001), working ≥ 60 h per week (OR = 1.57; P = 0.046), and less frequent participation in social activities (OR = 3.65; P < 0.001). Conclusions Burnout is an important problem among general surgeons with impacts and consequences for professionals, patients, and society. Considering that burnout is a preventable condition, systematic efforts to identify at-risk populations and to develop strategies to address burnout in surgeons are needed.

Primary Uterine Cancer in Maryland: Impact of Distance on Access to Surgical Care at High-Volume Hospitals

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1244-1251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille C. Gunderson ◽  
Ana I. Tergas ◽  
Aimee C. Fleury ◽  
Teresa P. Diaz-Montes ◽  
Robert L. Giuntoli
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Uterine Cancer ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
High Volume ◽  
High Volume Hospital ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Zip Code

ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of distance on access to high-volume surgical treatment for patients with uterine cancer in Maryland.MethodsThe Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database was retrospectively searched to identify primary uterine cancer surgical cases from 1994 to 2010. Race, type of insurance, year of surgery, community setting, and both surgeon and hospital volume were collected. Geographical coordinates of hospital and patient’s zip code were used to calculate primary independent outcomes of distance traveled and distance from nearest high-volume hospital (HVH). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals.ResultsFrom 1994 to 2010, 8529 women underwent primary surgical management of uterine cancer in Maryland. Multivariable analysis demonstrated white race, rural residence, surgery by a high-volume surgeon and surgery from 2003 to 2010 to be associated with both travel 50 miles or more to the treating hospital and residence 50 miles or more from the nearest HVH (allP< 0.05). Patients who travel 50 miles or more to the treating hospital are more likely to have surgery at a HVH (odds ratio, 6.03; 95% confidence interval, 4.67–7.79) In contrast, patients, who reside ≥50 miles from a HVH, are less likely to have their surgery at an HVH. (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.32–0.42).ConclusionIn Maryland, 50 miles or more from residence to the nearest HVH is a barrier to high-volume care. However, patients who travel 50 miles or more seem to do so to receive care by a high-volume surgeon at an HVH. In Maryland, Nonwhites are more likely to live closer to an HVH and more likely to use these services.

Oncologists’ perspectives on omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy in women >70 years with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 48-48
Author(s):  
Christina Ahn Minami ◽  
Ava F. Bryan ◽  
Anna C. Revette ◽  
Rachel A. Freedman ◽  
Tari A. King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Sentinel Lymph Node ◽  
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Lymph Node Biopsy ◽  
Choosing Wisely ◽  
Hormone Receptor Positive ◽  
Node Biopsy ◽  
Radiation Oncologists

48 Background: Trial data show that omission of surgical axillary staging does not affect overall survival in women >70 with cT1N0 hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, and the Society of Surgical Oncology’s Choosing Wisely recommendations advise against routine use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with early-stage HR+ cancers. Despite this, almost 80% of women eligible for omission still undergo SLNB. We sought to explore oncologists’ perspectives of omission of SLNB in this patient population. Methods: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured telephone interviews with surgical, medical, and radiation breast oncologists throughout North America from 3/2020 to 1/2021. Purposive snowball sampling ensured a range of practice types. Interviews were transcribed and a team trained in qualitative analysis undertook thematic analysis guided by grounded theory to identify emergent themes. Results: Participants included sixteen surgical, six medical, and seven radiation oncologists (55% female) (Table). Overall, while oncologists in all fields expressed acceptance regarding SLNB omission in certain women >70 with cT1N0 HR+ disease, many viewed it as a complex choice based on patient comorbidities, chronologic age, patient preferences, and disease factors. Although patients’ physiologic age and life expectancy were also important decisional factors, almost all participants assessed these subjectively despite knowing that validated tools existed. Most surgeons perceived the data backing the Choosing Wisely recommendation as weak, although knowledge of specific supporting studies was low. While all participants agreed that SLNB omission does not affect survival, several radiation oncologists expressed anxiety about resultant increased regional recurrence risk. In the absence of known nodal status, medical and radiation oncologists stated they were more likely to order additional imaging, rely on OncotypeDX scores to make systemic therapy decisions, add high tangents, and be reluctant to offer partial breast irradiation. Conclusions: While surgeons are aware of the Choosing Wisely recommendation, high SLNB rates in patients eligible for omission may be driven by perceptions of the quality of the supporting data and differing ideas regarding appropriate candidacy for omission. There are downstream effects of SLNB omission on medical and radiation oncology treatment decision making and surgeons should engage in multidisciplinary discussion prior to surgery.[Table: see text]

scholarly journals Postoperative Home Monitoring After Joint Replacement: Retrospective Outcome Study Comparing Cases With Matched Historical Controls (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Homer Yang ◽  
Geoff Dervin ◽  
Susan Madden ◽  
Ashraf Fayad ◽  
Paul Beaulé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Room ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Home Monitoring ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
American Society ◽  
Patient Readmissions ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Historical Controls

BACKGROUND A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients undergoing postoperative home monitoring (POHM) following elective primary hip or knee replacements. OBJECTIVE The objectives of our study were to compare the cost per patient, readmissions rate, emergency room visits, and mortality within 30 days to the historical standard of care using descriptive analysis. METHODS After Research Ethics Board approval, patients who were enrolled and had completed a POHM study were individually matched to historical controls by age, American Society of Anesthesiology class, and procedure at a ratio 1:2. RESULTS A total of 54 patients in the study group and 107 in the control group were eligible for the analysis. Compared with the historical standard of care, the average cost per case was Can $5826.32 (SD 1418.89) in the POHM group and Can $9198.58 (SD 1513.59) for controls. After 30 days, there were 2 emergency room visits (3.7%) and 0 readmissions in the POHM group, whereas there were 8 emergency room visits (7.5%) and 2 readmissions (1.9%) in the control group. No mortalities occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS The POHM study offers an early hospital discharge pathway for elective hip and knee procedures at a 38% reduction of the standard of care cost. The multidisciplinary transitional POHM team may provide a reliable forum to minimize readmissions, and emergency room visits within 30 days postoperatively. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02143232; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02143232 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/73WQ9QR6P)

scholarly journals Improving pediatric pharmacy services in a primarily adult emergency department

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souheila N Hachem ◽  
Julie M Thomson ◽  
Melissa K Heigham ◽  
Nancy C MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Quality Improvement Initiative ◽  
Pharmacy Services ◽  
Compliance Assessment ◽  
Practice Elements ◽  
Full Compliance ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Improve Compliance ◽  
American Society

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) guidelines for providing pediatric pharmacy services in hospitals and health systems can be used to improve medication safety wherever pediatric patients receive care, including in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this initiative was to improve compliance with these guidelines in a primarily adult ED. Methods This quality improvement initiative was conducted in a level 1 trauma center ED between October 2019 and March 2020. The ASHP-PPAG guidelines were used to create practice elements applicable to the ED. An initial compliance assessment defined elements as noncompliant, partially compliant, fully compliant, or not applicable. Investigators identified interventions to improve compliance for noncompliant or partially compliant elements and then reassessed compliance following implementation. Data were expressed using descriptive statistics. This initiative was exempt from institutional review board approval. Results Ninety-three ED practice elements were identified within the 9 standards of the ASHP-PPAG guidelines. At the initial compliance assessment, the majority (59.8%) of practice elements were fully compliant; however, various service gaps were identified in 8 of the standards, and 16 interventions were implemented to improve compliance. At the final compliance assessment, there was a 19.5% increase in full compliance. Barriers to achieving full compliance included technology restrictions, time constraints, financial limitations, and influences external to pharmacy. Conclusion This quality improvement initiative demonstrated that the ASHP-PPAG guidelines can be used to improve ED pediatric pharmacy services in a primarily adult institution. The initiative may serve as an example for other hospitals to improve compliance with the guidelines.

Patterns of Care for Stage IA Cervical Cancer: Use of Definitive Radiation Therapy Versus Hysterectomy

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Ryckman ◽  
Chi Lin ◽  
Charles B. Simone ◽  
Vivek Verma
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
National Cancer Data Base ◽  
Positive Margins ◽  
Cancer Data ◽  
Quality Cancer Care ◽  
Surgery Patient ◽  
Fertility Sparing

ObjectiveThe standard of care for clinical IA cervical cancer is surgery, but nonoperative cases may receive definitive radiation therapy (RT). Herein, we investigated national practice patterns associated with the administration of definitive RT as compared with hysterectomy-based surgery (HYS) as well as delivery of adjuvant RT after HYS.Methods/MaterialsThe National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried for clinical IA primary cervical cancer cases (2004–2013) receiving definitive RT or HYS with or without adjuvant RT. Patients with unknown RT or surgery status were excluded, as were benign histologies and receipt of non-HYS such as fertility-sparing surgery. Patient, tumor, and treatment parameters were extracted. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression determined variables associated with receipt of RT and HYS.ResultsIn total, 3816 patients were analyzed (n = 3514 [92.1%] HYS alone, n = 100 [2.6%] RT alone, n = 202 [5.3%] combination). On multivariable analysis of HYS versus definitive RT, RT was more likely to be given to patients who were older (P < 0.001) and with Medicare (P = 0.011), Medicaid/other government insurance (P = 0.011), or uninsured/unknown status (P = 0.003). In addition, treatment with surgery alone was associated with patients in the 2 highest income quartiles (P = 0.013, P = 0.054). On multivariable analysis of patients receiving RT in addition to HYS, adjuvant RT was added most commonly for positive margins (P < 0.001) and increasing age (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis is the largest analysis to date evaluating definitive RT for IA cervical cancer. Younger age and higher socioeconomic status are associated with receipt of HYS instead of definitive RT, and positive margins are most associated with the addition of adjuvant RT. Although these data must be further validated with better defined patient selection and do not imply causation, several socioeconomic findings discovered herein need to be addressed to ensure the highest quality cancer care to all patients.

scholarly journals EXTH-31. COMBINATION OF TUMOR TREATING FIELDS (TTFIELDS) AND PACLITAXEL PRODUCES ADDITIVE REDUCTIONS IN PROLIFERATION AND CLONOGENICITY IN PATIENT-DERIVED METASTATIC NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER (NSCLC) CELLS

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi88-vi88
Author(s):  
Sharon Michelhaugh ◽  
Sandeep Mittal
Keyword(s):  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Clonogenic Assay ◽  
Brain Lesion ◽  
Left Lung ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Tumor Treating Fields ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Previously Treated

Abstract Clinical trials are underway to test the efficacy of TTFields in patients with progressive NSCLC or NSCLC brain metastases following standard-of-care or radiosurgery, respectively. Our study utilized patient-derived cells isolated from NSCLC brain metastases from a patient previously treated with standard-of-care chemo-radiation prior to progression to brain metastasis. These patient-derived cells underwent TTFields application in vitro with and without paclitaxel to determine if the response to the combination of TTFields with paclitaxel would be different from either treatment alone. Use of patient tissues was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient, who was 60 years-old and female. She received concurrent carboplatin/paclitaxel and radiotherapy to the upper lobe of her left lung prior to discovery and resection of a solitary brain lesion. Cells isolated from the metastatic brain tumor were cultured for 3 passages prior to plating on coverslips (4×104 each) in DMEM/F12 media with 10% fetal bovine serum. TTFields were applied at ~1.6 V/cm at 150 kHz. Paclitaxel was added to the media to a final concentration of 5 nM. After 14 days, cell lysates were assayed for lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) to represent cell number (n=5) or were harvested and replated in triplicate for the clonogenic assay (n=3). Groups were compared with one-way ANOVA. Mean ± SD of LDH for the control, TTFields-alone, paclitaxel-alone, and the combination were 1.83 ± 0.09, 1.34 ± 0.15, 0.81 ± 0.04, and 0.46 ± 0.21, respectively (ANOVA p< 0.0001). Clonogenic assay counts for the same groups were 26641 ± 4625, 17399 ± 5998, 8697 ± 1617, and 1598 ± 598 (ANOVA p= 0.0003). The additive effects of TTFields and paclitaxel suggest that they target different cell populations within a heterogeneous tumor, and that patients previously treated with standard-of-care may benefit from TTFields therapy.

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