Successful quality improvement project to increase hydroxyurea prescriptions for children with sickle cell anaemia.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an effective but underused disease-modifying therapy for patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). EMBRACE SCD, a sickle cell disease treatment demonstration project, aimed to improve access to HU by increasing prescription (Rx) rates by at least 10% from baseline in children with SCA.The Model for Improvement was used as the quality improvement framework.

Splenectomy at the time of primary or interval cytoreductive surgery for epithelial ovarian carcinoma: A review of outcomes.

Objectives: We describe post-operative complications after cytoreductive surgery with and without splenectomy for Stage III or IV epithelial ovarian cancer, and identify areas for quality improvement in post-splenectomy care.

Methods: All patients with ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery from 2008 to 2018 were identified using an institutional database Gynecologic Oncology Longitudinal Data Collection and Utilization Program (GOLD CUP). We compared patients who had and did not have splenectomy as part of cytoreductive surgery by demographics, comorbidities, stage, operative and post-operative data, readmission rates, progression free survival, overall survival and death from disease.

Evaluation and Management of Common Intraoperative and Postoperative Complications in Gynecologic Endoscopy.

Gynecologic laparoscopy is a safe and effective route of surgery for many types of procedures. The potential for injury does exist, and prevention and timely recognition of complications are essential for maintaining the quality and safety of minimally invasive surgical procedures. Each facet of care, including preoperative preparation, appropriate patient positioning, trocar placement, and surgical technique, is reviewed, and recommendations are made to facilitate the performance of safe surgery and immediate recognition of complications if they do arise.

Treatment for Brain Metastases: ASCO-SNO-ASTRO Guideline.

Purpose: To provide guidance to clinicians regarding therapy for patients with brain metastases from solid tumors.

Methods: ASCO convened an Expert Panel and conducted a systematic review of the literature.

Results: Thirty-two randomized trials published in 2008 or later met eligibility criteria and form the primary evidentiary base.

Meta-Analysis of Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Background: Trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have published patient-reported quality of life (QOL), but the size and heterogeneity of this literature can make patient education difficult. This meta-analysis aimed to describe change in QOL and symptomatology in patients receiving ICIs for cancer.

Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, databases were searched through November 2019 for articles or abstracts of prospective, original studies reporting longitudinal QOL in adult cancer patients treated with ICIs.

Socio-Environmental Conditions Associated with Geospatial Clusters of Urothelial Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Analysis.

Purpose: The interaction between sources of industrial byproducts and environmental pollutants (IBP/EP) and the prevalence of urothelial carcinoma (UC) in surrounding communities has been infrequently explored. The purpose of this research is to identify microregional UC hotspots and associated industrial and environmental risk factors.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively queried a multi-institutional database for UC patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2018.

Utilizing Digital Health to Collect Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in Prostate Cancer: Single-Arm Pilot Trial.

Background: Measuring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) requires an individual's perspective on their symptoms, functional status, and quality of life. Digital health enables remote electronic PRO (ePRO) assessments as a clinical decision support tool to facilitate meaningful provider interactions and personalized treatment.

Objective: This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of collecting ePROs using validated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires for prostate cancer.

Workplace Harassment and Discrimination in Gynecology: Results of the AAGL Member Survey.

Study Objective: To characterize workplace and sexual harassment and discrimination among physicians in gynecology.

Design: A beta-tested Internet survey was distributed by e-mail using the REDCap platform. All responses were anonymous.

Treatment recommendations for elderly patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma lack worldwide consensus.

Background: Glioblastoma predominantly occurs in the 6th and 7th decades of life. The optimal treatment paradigm for elderly patients is not well established. We sampled current worldwide management strategies for elderly patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.