scholarly journals Diagnosing cancer in primary care: results from the National Cancer Diagnosis Audit

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (666) ◽  
pp. e63-e72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Swann ◽  
Sean McPhail ◽  
Jana Witt ◽  
Brian Shand ◽  
Gary A Abel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Audit ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Comorbid Condition ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
New Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Delays ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundContinual improvements in diagnostic processes are needed to minimise the proportion of patients with cancer who experience diagnostic delays. Clinical audit is a means of achieving this.AimTo characterise key aspects of the diagnostic process for cancer and to generate baseline measures for future re-audit.Design and settingClinical audit of cancer diagnosis in general practices in England.MethodInformation on patient and tumour characteristics held in the English National Cancer Registry was supplemented by information from GPs in participating practices. Data items included diagnostic timepoints, patient characteristics, and clinical management.ResultsData were collected on 17 042 patients with a new diagnosis of cancer during 2014 from 439 practices. Participating practices were similar to non-participating ones, particularly regarding population age, urban/rural location, and practice-based patient experience measures. The median diagnostic interval for all patients was 40 days (interquartile range [IQR] 15–86 days). Most patients were referred promptly (median primary care interval 5 days [IQR 0–27 days]). Where GPs deemed diagnostic delays to have occurred (22% of cases), patient, clinician, or system factors were responsible in 26%, 28%, and 34% of instances, respectively. Safety netting was recorded for 44% of patients. At least one primary care-led investigation was carried out for 45% of patients. Most patients (76%) had at least one existing comorbid condition; 21% had three or more.ConclusionThe findings identify avenues for quality improvement activity and provide a baseline for future audit of the impact of 2015 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on management and referral of suspected cancer.

scholarly journals Routes to Diagnosis for Suspected Sarcoma: The Impact of Symptoms and Clinical Findings on the Diagnostic Process

Sarcoma ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Buvarp Dyrop ◽  
Peter Vedsted ◽  
Mathias Rædkjær ◽  
Akmal Safwat ◽  
Johnny Keller
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Local Hospital ◽  
Doctor Visit ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diagnostic Intervals

Background and Objectives. Sarcoma patients often experience delay before diagnosis. We examined the association between presenting symptoms/signs and time intervals for suspected sarcoma patients.Methods. 545 consecutive patients suspected for sarcoma referred over a one-year period were included. Median time intervals in routes to diagnosis were collected from medical records and questionnaires.Results. 102 patients (18.7%) had a sarcoma; 68 (12.5%) had other malignancies. Median interval for the patient (time from first symptom to first doctor visit), primary care, local hospital, sarcoma center, diagnostic, and total interval for sarcoma patients were 77, 17, 29, 17, 65, and 176 days, respectively. Sarcoma patients visited more hospital departments and had longer median primary care (+10 days) and diagnostic intervals (+19 days) than patients with benign conditions. Median primary care (−19 days) and sarcoma center (−4 days) intervals were shorter for patients with a lump versus no lump. Median patient (+40 days), primary care (+12 days), diagnostic (+17 days), and total intervals (+78 days) were longer for patients presenting with pain versus no pain. GP suspicion of malignancy shortened local hospital (−20 days) and total intervals (−104 days).Conclusions. The main part of delay could be attributed to the patient and local hospitals. Length of time intervals was associated with presenting symptoms/signs and GP suspicion.

scholarly journals Does the Primary Care Experience Influence the Cancer Diagnostic Process?

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Provost ◽  
Raynald Pineault ◽  
Pierre Tousignant ◽  
Danièle Roberge ◽  
Dominique Tremblay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Process Time ◽  
Care Experience ◽  
Usual Source ◽  
Point Of Entry ◽  
Experience Of Care ◽  
Time To Diagnosis ◽  
The Impact

Objective. To analyze the impact of patients’ experience of care at their usual source of primary care on their choice of point of entry into cancer investigation process, time to diagnosis, and presence of metastatic cancer at time of diagnosis. Method. A questionnaire was administered to 438 patients with cancer (breast, lung, and colorectal) between 2011 and 2013 in four oncology clinics of Quebec (Canada). Multiple regression analyses (logistic and Cox models) were conducted. Results. Among patients with symptoms leading to investigation of cancer (n=307), 47% used their usual source of primary care as the point of entry for investigation. Greater comprehensiveness of care was associated with the decision to use this source as point of entry (OR = 1.25; CI 90% = 1.06–1.46), as well as with shorter times between first symptoms and investigation (HR = 1.11; p=0.05), while greater accessibility was associated with shorter times between investigation and diagnosis (HR = 1.13; p<0.01).  Conclusion. Experience of care at the usual source of primary care has a slight influence on the choice of point of entry for cancer investigation and on time to diagnosis. This influence appears to be more related to patients’ perceptions of the accessibility and comprehensiveness of their usual source of primary care.

National Cancer Diagnosis Audit: initial results on avoidable delays

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X696677
Author(s):  
Ruth Swann ◽  
ÒJana Witt ◽  
Brian Shand ◽  
Georgios Lyratzopoulos ◽  
Sara Hiom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Primary Care Data ◽  
Diagnosis Of Cancer

BackgroundAn earlier diagnosis of cancer can increase cancer survival and quality of life. Characterising avoidable delays to a patient’s diagnosis of cancer can help to direct quality improvement initiatives.AimTo evaluate avoidable delays to cancer diagnoses and the variation by cancer type and patient characteristics using primary care data collected as part of the National Cancer Diagnosis Audit (NCDA).MethodEnglish general practices participating in the NCDA (439) entered primary care data on patients (17,042) diagnosed with cancer in 2014. Using a taxonomy developed from the National Audit of Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (2011), GPs reported delays to the diagnosis that in their judgement were avoidable.ResultsIn 22% of NCDA patient records (n = 3380), the GP considered there to be an avoidable delay to the patient receiving their cancer diagnosis. There was variation by cancer type; 7% of breast cancer patients experienced delays compared to 34% of stomach cancer patients. 49% of avoidable delays occurred in primary care and 38% in secondary or tertiary care. Of all delays, 28% were attributed to clinician factors and 34% to health care system factors. Results will be presented by patient characteristics.ConclusionPrimary care data from the NCDA can be used to better understand potentially avoidable delays to diagnosis and identify possible solutions for improving the diagnostic pathway. Avoidable delays during cancer diagnosis occur for many reasons. These insights can inform quality improvement initiatives, which should be directed at both clinical and organisational factors in primary care and hospital settings.

scholarly journals Emergency care access to primary care records: an observational study

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. e100153
Author(s):  
Thomas Bowden ◽  
David Lyell ◽  
Enrico Coiera
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Care Access ◽  
Process Outcomes ◽  
Primary Care Record ◽  
Access To Primary Care ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo measure lookup rates of externally held primary care records accessed in emergency care and identify patient characteristics, conditions and potential consequences associated with access.MeasuresRates of primary care record access and re-presentation to the emergency department (ED) within 30 days and hospital admission.DesignA retrospective observational study of 77 181 ED presentations over 4 years and 9 months, analysing 8184 index presentations in which patients’ primary care records were accessed from the ED. Data were compared with 17 449 randomly selected index control presentations. Analysis included propensity score matching for age and triage categories.Results6.3% of overall ED presentations triggered a lookup (rising to 8.3% in year 5); 83.1% of patients were only looked up once and 16.9% of patients looked up on multiple occasions. Lookup patients were on average 25 years older (z=−9.180, p<0.001, r=0.43). Patients with more urgent triage classifications had their records accessed more frequently (z=−36.47, p<0.001, r=0.23). Record access was associated with a significant but negligible increase in hospital admission (χ2 (1, n=13 120)=98.385, p<0.001, phi=0.087) and readmission within 30 days (χ2 (1, n=13 120)=86.288, p<0.001, phi=0.081).DiscussionEmergency care clinicians access primary care records more frequently for older patients or those in higher triage categories. Increased levels of inpatient admission and re-presentation within 30 days are likely linked to age and triage categories.ConclusionFurther studies should focus on the impact of record access on clinical and process outcomes and which record elements have the most utility to shape clinical decisions.

Order out of chaos? Autism spectrum disorder coordinators’ impact on service delivery in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110092
Author(s):  
Matthew Eggleston ◽  
Katherine Eggleston ◽  
Hiran Thabrew ◽  
Shannon Hennig ◽  
Christopher Frampton
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Parent Satisfaction ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To evaluate the impact of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) coordinators (ASDCs) on key aspects of the experience of obtaining an ASD diagnosis and post-diagnostic supports in New Zealand. Method: Members of New Zealand ASD parent support groups were surveyed. Results: Of 516 parents, 41.3% had seen an ASDC. The majority were satisfied. Parents who saw ASDCs pre-diagnosis were more likely to be satisfied with the diagnostic process ( p = .04) and saw fewer professionals before receiving a diagnosis ( p = .04). Parents who had seen ASDCs post-diagnosis were more likely to be satisfied with post-diagnostic supports ( p < .001) and their coordination ( p < .001). Conclusions: ASDCs are well regarded by parents and improve key aspects of the process of obtaining an ASD diagnosis and post-diagnostic supports. Given the particularly low rates of parent satisfaction with post-diagnostic supports (23%) and their coordination (19%), ASDCs may be of most value when employed post-diagnosis to assist parents in navigating key supports and co-developing comprehensive individualised care plans.

Abstract TP127: Periprocedual Risk of Treatment for Carotid Stenosis Complicated With Cardiac Disease - J-ASPECT Study

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ataru Nishimura ◽  
Kunihiro Nishimura ◽  
Daisuke Onozuka ◽  
Akiko Kada ◽  
Ai Kurogi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Aortic Valve Disease ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Valvular Disease ◽  
Valve Disease ◽  
Comorbid Condition ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
The Impact

Background and Purpose: Heart disease is a common comorbid condition among patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stent placement (CAS). However, the outcomes of patients with heart disease who were treated with CEA/CAS have not been fully examined. We investigated the impact of heart disease on outcomes of CEA and CAS in general practice using the Japanese nationwide data from J-ASPECT study. Methods: We analyzed data from 23,366 patients of CEA or CAS (CEA 8,514, CAS 14,809) who had been hospitalized in the period from April 2012 to March 2017. We extracted data from the Japanese nationwide DPC database for patients who underwent CEA or CAS which were identified from procedural coding with Japanese original K-codes (CEA: K6092, CAS: K609-2). For further categorization of carotid artery stenosis patients with or without heart disease, we used the ICD-10 code (ischemic heart disease, valvular disease cardiomyopathy, conduction disturbance, cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter and heart failure) to identify the presence of heart disease. Outcome (death within 30days) was compared between the patient who underwent CEA or CAS and patient with or without heart disease after adjustment for patient characteristics by using the logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the patients who underwent CAS or CEA, 2495 (29.3%) in CEA and 3930 (26.5%) in CAS were complicated with heart disease. Heart disease was not associated with the risk of death within 30days in both patients undergoing CEA (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.54-3.55, p=0.5) or CAS (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.93-2.16, p=0.099). Among heart disease, valvular disease was associated with increased the risk of death within 30days in patients undergoing CEA (OR, 6.71; 95% CI, 1.89-23.77, p=0.0032) and CAS (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.05-8.20, p=0.004) after adjustment for potential confounders. Especially of the patients with valvular disease, aortic valve disease was significantly increased the risk of death within 30days (CEA: OR, 11.2; 95% CI, 3.13-39.8, p=0.0002, CAS: OR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.07-11.6, p=0.038). Conclusion: Patients who were complicated with valvular disease, especially aortic valve disease had a high risk of death within 30 days after CEA or CAS.

scholarly journals Trends and determinants of length of stay and hospital reimbursement following knee and hip replacement: evidence from linked primary care and NHS hospital records from 1997 to 2014

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e019146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Burn ◽  
Christopher J Edwards ◽  
David W Murray ◽  
Alan Silman ◽  
Cyrus Cooper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hip Replacement ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Clinical Practice Research Datalink ◽  
Hospital Inpatient ◽  
Hospital Reimbursement ◽  
Patient Profiles ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesTo measure changes in length of stay following total knee and hip replacement (TKR and THR) between 1997 and 2014 and estimate the impact on hospital reimbursement, all else being equal. Further, to assess the degree to which observed trends can be explained by improved efficiency or changes in patient profiles.DesignCross-sectional study using routinely collected data.SettingNational Health Service primary care records from 1995 to 2014 in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink were linked to hospital inpatient data from 1997 to 2014 in Hospital Episode Statistics Admitted Patient Care.ParticipantsStudy participants had a diagnosis of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.InterventionsPrimary TKR, primary THR, revision TKR and revision THR.Primary outcome measuresLength of stay and hospital reimbursement.Results10 260 primary TKR, 10 961 primary THR, 505 revision TKR and 633 revision THR were included. Expected length of stay fell from 16.0 days (95% CI 14.9 to 17.2) in 1997 to 5.4 (5.2 to 5.6) in 2014 for primary TKR and from 14.4 (13.7 to 15.0) to 5.6 (5.4 to 5.8) for primary THR, leading to savings of £1537 and £1412, respectively. Length of stay fell from 29.8 (17.5 to 50.5) to 11.0 (8.3 to 14.6) for revision TKR and from 18.3 (11.6 to 28.9) to 12.5 (9.3 to 16.8) for revision THR, but no significant reduction in reimbursement was estimated. The estimated effect of year of surgery remained similar when patient characteristics were included.ConclusionsLength of stay for joint replacement fell substantially from 1997 to 2014. These reductions have translated into substantial savings. While patient characteristics affect length of stay and reimbursement, patient profiles have remained broadly stable over time. The observed reductions appear to be mostly explained by improved efficiency.

scholarly journals Assessing the impact of an English national initiative for early cancer diagnosis in primary care

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (S1) ◽  
pp. S57-S64 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Rubin ◽  
C Gildea ◽  
S Wild ◽  
J Shelton ◽  
I Ablett-Spence
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Early Cancer ◽  
Early Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
National Initiative ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Publication of UK NICE Clinical Guidelines 168 has not significantly changed the management of leg ulcers in primary care: An analysis of The Health Improvement Network database

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 311-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huw OB Davies ◽  
Matthew Popplewell ◽  
Gareth Bate ◽  
Ronan P Ryan ◽  
Tom P Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Leg Ulcers ◽  
Network Database ◽  
Below The Knee ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Health Improvement Network ◽  
New Diagnosis ◽  
The Impact

Background NICE Clinical Guidelines (CG) 168, published in July 2013, recommend specialist vascular referral for all leg ulcers, defined as a break in the skin below the knee that has not healed within two weeks. Aim To examine the impact of CG168 on the primary care management of leg ulcers using The Health Improvement Network database. Methods An eligible population of approximately two million adult patients was analysed over two 18-month periods before and after publication of CG168. Those with a new diagnosis of leg ulcers in each time period were analysed in terms of demographics, specialist referral and superficial venous ablation. Results We identified 7532 and 7462 new diagnoses of leg ulcers in the pre- and post-CG168 cohorts, respectively. Patients with a new diagnosis of leg ulcers were elderly (median age: 77 years both cohorts) and less likely to be male (47% both cohorts). There were 2259 (30.0%) and 2329 (31.2%) vascular service referrals in the pre- and post-CG168 cohorts, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.05, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.11, p = 0.096). The median interval between general practitioner diagnosis and referral was 1.5 days in both cohorts. Patients from both cohorts who were referred for a new diagnosis of leg ulcers were equally likely to receive superficial venous ablation. Conclusions Disappointingly, we have been unable to demonstrate that publication of NICE CG168 has been associated with a meaningful change in leg ulcer management in primary care in line with guideline recommendations.

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