Efficacy of a clinical pathway for patients with thyroid cancer

Clinical pathway of metabolic therapy with 131I in differentiated thyroid cancer

Clinical Pathways are care plans that are applied to clinical processes with a predictable course, with the intention of protocolizing these processes and reducing the variability in their management. Our objective was to develop a clinical pathway for ¹³¹I metabolic therapy in its application to differentiated thyroid cancer. A work team was organized consisting of doctors (Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine), nursing staff (Hospitalization Unit and Nuclear Medicine), Radiophysics and the Clinical Management and Continuity of Care Support Service. For the design of the clinical pathway, several team meetings were held, in which the literature reviews were pooled and the design and development of the clinical pathway was undertaken in accordance with current clinical guidelines. This team achieved consensus on the development of the care plan, establishing its key points and drafting the different documents that make up the Clinical Pathway: Timeframe-based schedule, Clinical Pathway Variation Record Document, Patient Information Documents, Patient Satisfaction Survey, Pictogram Brochure, Quality Assessment Indicators. Finally, the clinical pathway was presented to all the clinical departments involved and to the Medical Director of the Hospital and is now being implemented in clinical practice.

Establishing a Multicenter Network for Patients With Thyroid Nodules and Cancer: Effects on Referral Patterns

OBJECTIVE

To perform a qualitative evaluation of the Thyroid Network, with a quantitative analysis of second opinion referrals for patients in the southwestern part of the Netherlands who have thyroid nodules and cancer.

METHODS

This prospective observational study registered all patients with thyroid nodules and cancer who were referred to the academic hospital from 2 years before and 4 years after the foundation of the Thyroid Network. We implemented biweekly regional multidisciplinary tumor boards using video conference and a regional patient care pathway for patients with thyroid nodules and cancer. For qualitative evaluation, interviews were conducted with a broad selection of stakeholders via maximum variation sampling. The primary outcome was the change in second opinions after the foundation of the Thyroid Network.

RESULTS

Second opinions from Thyroid Network hospitals to the academic hospital decreased from 10 (30%) to 2 (7%) two years after the start of the Thyroid Network (P = .001), while patient referrals remained stable (n = 108 to 106). Qualitative evaluation indicated that the uniform care pathway and the regional multidisciplinary tumor board were valued high.

DISCUSSION

Establishing a regional network, including multidisciplinary tumor boards and a care pathway for patients with thyroid nodules and cancer, resulted in a decrease in second opinions of in-network hospitals and high satisfaction of participating specialists.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The concept of the Thyroid Network could spread to other regions as well as to other specialties in health care. Future steps would be to assess the effect of regional collaboration on quality of care and patient satisfaction.

Evaluation of a Clinical Pathway for Thyroid Nodular Disease: Timings and Delays in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Cancer

Background: Due to the high prevalence of nodular thyroid disease in the general population and the need to rule out malignant tumours, a clinical pathway for nodular thyroid disease was created at our tertiary-level hospital. Our study aimed to quantify timings and delays in diagnosis and treatment in this clinical pathway, specifically for patients who were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who were newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer and who had been previously evaluated in the clinical pathway for nodular thyroid disease at our institution during 2015–2017. Patient demographics, previous diagnostic studies, cytological results, tumour details and key dates were analysed to identify wait times in diagnosis and treatment. Results: Forty patients with thyroid cancer were included. The diagnostic delay had a median time of 60 days, and the treatment delay was dependent on cytopathological results. The main cause for delay in the diagnostic phase was the timing of the thyroid ultrasound performed by the radiology department. In the treatment phase, patients with a cytological result of Bethesda III, V or VI underwent surgery at the suggested time, while those in the Bethesda II or IV category did not. Conclusions: The major delay found in the diagnostic phase was the timing of the thyroid ultrasound performed by the radiology department. We are not suggesting that this step must be eliminated, though the implementation of routine ultrasonography in a thyroid clinic can help identify patients who need more urgent evaluation for fine needle aspiration cytology. In our hospital, decision for surgery is based mainly on the cytopathological report. Imaging studies and/or molecular testing could be considered to reduce treatment delays.

A Population-Based Analysis of Outpatient Thyroidectomy: Safe and Under-Utilized

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Performance of thyroidectomy on an outpatient basis has gained popularity although many jurisdictions have not shifted their practice despite a strong safety profile. We sought to assess the uptake and safety of outpatient thyroidectomy in Ontario.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

This was a population-based retrospecive cohort of adult patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy between 1993 and 2017 in Ontario, Canada. Outpatient surgery was defined as discharge home on the same day of surgery. Outcomes of interest include 30-day all cause death, hematoma, emergency department use, and readmission. To adjust for confounding, propensity scores were calculated. Logistic regression models with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were then used to estimate the exposure-outcome relationship.

RESULTS

The final cohort consisted of 81,199 patients: 8,442 underwent same day surgery and 72,757 were admitted. The proportion of patients undergoing outpatient thyroidectomy increased overtime (2.3% in 1993-1994 to 17.8% in 2016-2017). Factors associated with higher odds of outpatient thyroidectomy included: younger age, less material deprivation, less comorbidities, and higher surgeon volume. The absolute number of deaths (≤5) and hematomas (64, 0.8%) in the outpatient cohort was low. After IPTW adjustment, patients with outpatient management had lower odds of neck hematoma (OR 0.73[95CI% 0.58-0.93)], but higher odds of emergency department use (OR 1.67[95%CI 1.56-1.79]).

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient thyroidectomy is not associated with an increased mortality risk. Less than one in five patients undergo outpatient thyroidectomy in Ontario, despite a well-established safety profile.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 2021.

Current practice of thyroid surgery in Germany: a nationwide survey

BACKGROUND

Due to the lack of perioperative standards in thyroid surgery, this study aimed to evaluate the perioperative management and wound closure techniques used in a nationwide survey.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A questionnaire evaluating preferred technique in thyroid resection, postoperative management, and the occurrence of complications was sent to all hospitals in Germany performing more than 50 thyroid operations p.a. (n=362, response rate 78% (n=283)). Subsequently, hospitals were subdivided into university and maximum care hospitals (Category A, n=54) and tertiary hospitals and basic care hospitals (Category B, n=229).

RESULTS

10.6% of the hospitals were certified as a center for thyroid surgery, with a significantly higher percentage in Category A (20.4% vs. 8.3%; p<0.01). Concerning the surgical techniques, Kocher´s incision was the favored cervical approach in 96% of the hospitals. A minimally invasive approach was performed in 30.1%, with a significantly more common description in category A. 97.8% of all clinics stated that they perform a platysma muscle suture, primarily as a single stitch interrupted. Skin closure was predominantly performed via intracutaneous suture in 84.5% using absorbable suture material in 63.1%. There was no difference in the technology used in terms of hospital size. The mean in-hospital stay was significantly shorter in Category A hospitals (p=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

The suture technique used in thyroid surgery in Germany is a simple interrupted suture technique for platysma and a continuous suture with absorbable skin closure material. Maximum care hospitals are characterized by shorter in-hospital stays and improved quality assurance.

ERAS Protocols for Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are evidenced-based multidisciplinary programs implemented in the perioperative setting to improve postoperative recovery and attenuate the surgical stress response. However, evidence on their effectiveness in thyroid and parathyroid surgery remains sparse. Therefore, our goal was to investigate the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of ERAS protocols for the perioperative management of thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.

DATA SOURCE

A systematic review of Medline, Scopus, Embase, and gray literature was performed to identify studies of ERAS or clinical care protocols for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.

REVIEW METHODS

Two reviewers screened studies using predetermined inclusion criteria. Our primary outcomes included hospital length of stay and hospital costs. Readmission and postoperative complication rates composed our secondary outcomes. Meta-analysis was performed to compare outcomes for patients enrolled in the ERAS protocol versus standard of care.

RESULTS

A total of 450 articles were identified; 7 (1.6%) met inclusion criteria with a total of 3082 patients. Perioperative components in ERAS protocols varied across the studies. Nevertheless, patients enrolled in ERAS protocols had reduced hospital length of stay (mean difference, -0.64 days [95% CI, -0.92 to -0.37]) and hospital costs (in US dollars; mean difference, -307.70 [95% CI, -346.49 to -268.90]), without an increase in readmission (odds ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.29-1.94]) or complication rates (odds ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.82-1.57]).

CONCLUSION

There is growing literature supporting the role of ERAS protocols for the perioperative management of thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. These protocols significantly reduce hospital length of stay and costs without increasing complications or readmission rates.

Effect assessment of evidence-based nursing in combination with clinical nursing pathway on nephrotic syndrome care in children: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Childhood nephrotic syndrome is widespread in pediatric nephrology. In most cases, it needs hospitalization for patient management. An increasing number of studies report that proper nursing care could promote the rate of treatment and improve post-treatment prognosis. Clinical nursing pathways refer to innovative nursing modes with high-quality, excellent efficacy, and low costing treatment. There are reports on how nursing methods that utilize data combine with clinical nursing pathway to enhance nephrotic syndrome care in kids. However, the results remain controversial. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct this study to systematically explore how evidence-based nursing combined with clinical nursing pathway plays a role in nephrotic syndrome care among children.

METHODS

This study protocol will conduct a comprehensive search on MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and Web of Science electronic databases to identify relevant research articles from inception to April 25, 2021. Studies in both English and Chinese languages are used for this study. This study protocol will analyze randomized controlled trials that investigated the role of evidence-based nursing combined with clinical nursing pathway to care for nephrotic syndrome in children. Two authors will independently screen the search results, select suitable studies for inclusion, extract the characteristics and outcome data of the selected studies, and evaluate the risk of bias based on standard Cochrane methodology. Any discrepancies will be resolved by consensus.

RESULTS

The present study will summarize high-quality evidence to systematically explore how a nursing model based on evidence combined with clinical nursing pathway influences the caring of children with nephrotic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

The present study will summarize the direct and indirect evidence to judge whether evidence-based nursing combined with clinical nursing pathway can improve the treatment and post-treatment prognosis in children with nephrotic syndrome.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study does not require an ethical approval.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

April 25, 2021.osf.io/bcrdk/ (https://osf.io/bcrdk/).

Clinical nursing pathway improves the nursing satisfaction in patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage: A randomized controlled trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Cerebral hemorrhage (CH) is a very common cerebrovascular disorder in clinical practice. More and more studies reported that proper nursing care could promote the rate of treatment, and improve the prognosis after treatment. Clinical nursing pathway (CNP) refers to original nursing mode with good quality, outstanding efficiency, and low treatment spending. Few articles have reported the effect of CNP in patients with acute CH. The program is in urgent need of convinced evidence to prove the reliability. Thus, we perform this randomized controlled trial protocol and hypothesize that CNP is associated with improved outcomes and nursing satisfaction, reduced adverse reactions in patients with acute CH.

METHOD

It is a single-center randomized controlled study to be conducted from October 2020 to October 2021. It was admitted via the Ethics Committee of the West China Hospital of Sichuan University (0038842/121). Eighty patients meet diagnostic standards for CH are included. The study group receives the clinical nursing path model. In the control group, patients receive the routine care before and after taking to the hospital. The main outcome contains the Barthel index score, the patient's degree of satisfaction about care, the length of hospital stay, and the risk of complications such as infection, bedsores and gastrointestinal function between the 2 groups. Six months after admission, the functional independence measure and Fugl Meyer score are recorded. All data are analyzed by the IBM SPSS Statistics, version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY edition).

RESULTS

Table 1 shows the clinical outcomes between groups.

CONCLUSION

CNP may improve the clinical outcomes for patients with acute CH and have a significant value in actual applications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

researchregistry6061.

The impact of provider payment reforms and associated care delivery models on cost and quality in cancer care: A systematic literature review

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of provider payment reforms and associated care delivery models on cost and quality in cancer care.

METHODS

Data sources/study setting: Review of English-language literature published in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library (2007-2019). Study design: We performed a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify the impact of cancer care reforms. Primary endpoints were resource use, cost, quality of care, and clinical outcomes. Data collection/extraction methods: For each study, we extracted and categorized comparative data on the impact of policy reforms. Given the heterogeneity in patients, interventions and outcome measures, we did a qualitative synthesis rather than a meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 26 included studies, seven evaluations were in fact qualified as quasi experimental designs in retrospect. Alternative payment models were significantly associated with reduction in resource use and cost in cancer care. Across the seventeen studies reporting data on the implicit payment reforms through care coordination, the adoption of clinical pathways was found effective in reduction of unnecessary use of low value services and associated costs. The estimates of all measures in ACO models varied considerably across participating providers, and our review found a rather mixed impact on cancer care outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest promising improvement in resource utilization and cost control after transition to prospective payment models, but, further primary research is needed to apply robust measures of performance and quality to better ensure that providers are delivering high-value care to their patients, while reducing the cost of care.