Measuring the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals by calculating process indicators. Methods Patients with newly diagnosed glioma in Belgium (2016–2019) were selected from the Belgian Cancer Registry. The Natio...

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Main Authors: Dimitri Vanhauwaert, Katrijn Vanschoenbeek, Frank Weyns, Ludo Vanopdenbosch, Ann Tieleman, Alex Michotte, Karolien Goffin, Cindy De Gendt, Steven De Vleeschouwer, Tom Boterberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-11-01
Series:Cancer Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70045
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author Dimitri Vanhauwaert
Katrijn Vanschoenbeek
Frank Weyns
Ludo Vanopdenbosch
Ann Tieleman
Alex Michotte
Karolien Goffin
Cindy De Gendt
Steven De Vleeschouwer
Tom Boterberg
author_facet Dimitri Vanhauwaert
Katrijn Vanschoenbeek
Frank Weyns
Ludo Vanopdenbosch
Ann Tieleman
Alex Michotte
Karolien Goffin
Cindy De Gendt
Steven De Vleeschouwer
Tom Boterberg
author_sort Dimitri Vanhauwaert
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals by calculating process indicators. Methods Patients with newly diagnosed glioma in Belgium (2016–2019) were selected from the Belgian Cancer Registry. The National Social Security Number served as unique patient identifier, linking the Registry to vital status and reimbursement data. Nine measurable process related to diagnosis and follow‐up imaging were identified, with reformulations for 7 due to data limitations. For each indicator, technical documentation sheets, containing all required details (rationale, numerator and denominator, target, limitations, benchmarking, subgroup analyses) were developed, reviewed by a multidisciplinary expert panel, and validated in six pilot hospitals. Per indicator, patients were assigned to the most relevant hospital per indicator using allocation algorithms. Results Results for process indicators assessing MRI use in glioma diagnosis and follow‐up aligned with predefined targets (90%), except for early postoperative MRI (48.5% vs. target 90%). Mandatory reporting of the WHO performance status (89.3% vs. target 100%) and performance of full‐spine (43.6% vs. target 90%) and follow‐up MRI (73.5% vs. target 90%) in ependymoma were suboptimal. The largest variability across centers was noted for the indicator on early postoperative MRI. Conclusion This calculation of process indicators identified opportunities for improvement in diagnosis and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients in Belgium. Monitoring indicator results and providing individual feedback reports to the Belgian hospitals invites neuro‐oncology care teams and hospital managements to reflect on their results and to take measures to continuously improve care for glioma.
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spelling doaj-art-473aad1ff8db45e4946e0a6bf72b00112024-11-13T07:40:34ZengWileyCancer Medicine2045-76342024-11-011321n/an/a10.1002/cam4.70045Measuring the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019Dimitri Vanhauwaert0Katrijn Vanschoenbeek1Frank Weyns2Ludo Vanopdenbosch3Ann Tieleman4Alex Michotte5Karolien Goffin6Cindy De Gendt7Steven De Vleeschouwer8Tom Boterberg9Department of Neurosurgery AZ Delta Roeselare BelgiumBelgian Cancer Registry Brussels BelgiumDepartment of Neurosurgery Ziekenhuis Oost‐Limburg Genk BelgiumDepartment of Neurology AZ Sint‐Jan Brugge Bruges BelgiumDepartment of Radiology AZ Delta Roeselare BelgiumDepartment of Pathology (neuropathology) and Neurology UZ Brussel Brussels BelgiumDepartment of Nuclear Medicine UZ Leuven Leuven BelgiumBelgian Cancer Registry Brussels BelgiumDepartment of Neurosurgery UZ Leuven Leuven BelgiumDepartment of Radiation Oncology Ghent University Hospital Ghent BelgiumAbstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals by calculating process indicators. Methods Patients with newly diagnosed glioma in Belgium (2016–2019) were selected from the Belgian Cancer Registry. The National Social Security Number served as unique patient identifier, linking the Registry to vital status and reimbursement data. Nine measurable process related to diagnosis and follow‐up imaging were identified, with reformulations for 7 due to data limitations. For each indicator, technical documentation sheets, containing all required details (rationale, numerator and denominator, target, limitations, benchmarking, subgroup analyses) were developed, reviewed by a multidisciplinary expert panel, and validated in six pilot hospitals. Per indicator, patients were assigned to the most relevant hospital per indicator using allocation algorithms. Results Results for process indicators assessing MRI use in glioma diagnosis and follow‐up aligned with predefined targets (90%), except for early postoperative MRI (48.5% vs. target 90%). Mandatory reporting of the WHO performance status (89.3% vs. target 100%) and performance of full‐spine (43.6% vs. target 90%) and follow‐up MRI (73.5% vs. target 90%) in ependymoma were suboptimal. The largest variability across centers was noted for the indicator on early postoperative MRI. Conclusion This calculation of process indicators identified opportunities for improvement in diagnosis and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients in Belgium. Monitoring indicator results and providing individual feedback reports to the Belgian hospitals invites neuro‐oncology care teams and hospital managements to reflect on their results and to take measures to continuously improve care for glioma.https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70045brain tumorsdiagnostic managementfollow‐up imaginggliomaquality of care
spellingShingle Dimitri Vanhauwaert
Katrijn Vanschoenbeek
Frank Weyns
Ludo Vanopdenbosch
Ann Tieleman
Alex Michotte
Karolien Goffin
Cindy De Gendt
Steven De Vleeschouwer
Tom Boterberg
Measuring the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019
Cancer Medicine
brain tumors
diagnostic management
follow‐up imaging
glioma
quality of care
title Measuring the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019
title_full Measuring the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019
title_fullStr Measuring the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019
title_full_unstemmed Measuring the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019
title_short Measuring the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019
title_sort measuring the diagnostic management and follow up imaging for glioma patients across belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019
topic brain tumors
diagnostic management
follow‐up imaging
glioma
quality of care
url https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70045
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