Improving Interdisciplinary Communication: Barriers and Facilitators for Implementation of Standardized Structured Reporting in Oncology

Evaluation of a multifaceted implementation strategy for semi-automated surveillance of surgical site infections after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a multicentre pilot study in the Netherlands

INTRODUCTION

To promote the nation-wide implementation of semi-automated surveillance (AS) of surgical site infection after hip and knee arthroplasty, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) deployed a decentralised multifaceted implementation strategy. This strategy consisted of a protocol specifying minimum requirements for an AS system, supported by a user manual, education module, individual guidance for hospitals and user-group meetings. This study describes an effect evaluation and process evaluation of the implementation strategy for AS in five frontrunner hospitals.

METHODS

To evaluate the effect of the implementation strategy, the achieved phase of implementation was determined in each frontrunner hospital at the end of the study period. The process evaluation consisted of (1) an evaluation of the feasibility of strategy elements, (2) an evaluation of barriers and facilitators for implementation and (3) an evaluation of the workload for implementation. Interviews were performed as a basis for a subsequent survey quantifying the results regarding the feasibility as well as barriers and facilitators. Workload was self-monitored per profession. Qualitative data were analysed using a framework analysis, whereas quantitative data were analysed descriptively.

RESULTS

One hospital finished the complete implementation process in 240 person-hours. Overall, the elements of the implementation strategy were often used, positively received and overall, the strategy was rated effective and feasible. During the implementation process, participants perceived the relative advantage of AS and had sufficient knowledge about AS. However, barriers regarding complexity of AS data extraction, data-infrastructure, and validation, lack of capacity and motivation at the IT department, and difficulties with assigning roles and responsibilities were experienced.

CONCLUSION

A decentralised multifaceted implementation strategy is suitable for the implementation of AS in hospitals. Effective local project management, including clear project leadership and ownership, obtaining commitment of higher management levels, active involvement of stakeholders, and appropriate allocation of roles and responsibilities is important for successful implementation and should be facilitated by the implementation strategy. Sufficient knowledge about AS, its requirements and the implementation process should be available among stakeholders by e.g. an education module. Furthermore, exchange of knowledge and experiences between hospitals should be encouraged in user-group meetings.

Reporting guidelines for surgical technique could be improved: a scoping review and a call for action

OBJECTIVES

To identify reporting guidelines related to surgical technique and propose recommendations for areas that require improvement.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

A protocol-guided scoping review was conducted. A literature search of MEDLINE, the EQUATOR Network Library, Google Scholar, and Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations was conducted to identify surgical technique reporting guidelines published up to December 31, 2021.

RESULTS

We finally included 55 surgical technique reporting guidelines, vascular surgery (n = 18, 32.7%) was the most common among the clinical specialties covered. The included guidelines generally showed a low degree of international and multidisciplinary cooperation. Few guidelines provided a detailed development process (n = 14, 25.5%), conducted a systematic literature review (n = 13, 23.6%), used the Delphi method (n = 4, 7.3%), or described post-publication strategy (n = 6, 10.9%). The vast majority guidelines focused on the reporting of intraoperative period (n = 50, 90.9%). However, of the guidelines requiring detailed descriptions of surgical technique methodology (n = 43, 78.2%), most failed to provide guidance on what constitutes an adequate description.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates significant deficiencies in the development methodology and practicality of reporting guidelines for surgical technique. A standardized reporting guideline that is developed rigorously and focuses on details of surgical technique may serve as a necessary impetus for change.

Nationwide implementation of a multifaceted tailored strategy to improve uptake of standardized structured reporting in pathology: an effect and process evaluation

Background

Implementation strategies are aimed at improving guideline adherence. Both effect and process evaluations are conducted to provide insights into the success or failure of these strategies. In our study, we evaluate the nationwide implementation of standardized structured reporting (SSR) in pathology.

Methods

An interrupted time series analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of a previously developed implementation strategy, which consisted of various digitally available elements, on SSR in pathology laboratories. A segmented regression analysis was performed to analyze the change in mean SSR percentages directly after the strategy introduction for pathology reporting and specific subcategories. In addition, we analyzed the change in trend in the weekly percentages after strategy introduction, also for subgroups of tumor groups, retrieval methods, and type of laboratory. The change in SSR use after the strategy introduction was determined for all pathology laboratories. We further conducted a process evaluation in which the exposure to the strategy elements was determined. Experiences of the users with all strategy elements and the remaining barriers and potential strategy elements were evaluated through an eSurvey. We also tested whether exposure to a specific element and a combination of elements resulted in a higher uptake of SSR after strategy introduction.

Results

There was a significant increase in an average use of SSR after the strategy introduction for reporting of gastrointestinal (p=.018) and urological (p=.003) oncological diagnoses. A significant increase was present for all oncological resections as a group (p=.007). Thirty-three out of 42 pathology laboratories increased SSR use after the strategy introduction. The “Feedback button”, an option within the templates for SSR to provide feedback to the provider and one of the elements of the implementation strategy, was most frequently used by the SSR users, and effectiveness results showed that it increased average SSR use after the strategy introduction. Barriers were still present for SSR implementation.

Conclusions

Nationwide SSR implementation improved for specific tumor groups and retrieval methods. The next step will be to further improve the use of SSR and, simultaneously, to further develop potential benefits of high SSR use, focusing on re-using discrete pathology data. In this way, we can facilitate proper treatment decisions in oncology.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13012-022-01224-5.