TBRHSC Cancer Care Leads Nation in Synoptic Pathology Reporting
Cancer Care Pathology Team at Thunder
Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre celebrated as national
leader in pathology reporting standards.
January 20, 2009
New E-Checklists for Pathology enhance
patient safety and quality of care.
Today, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) congratulated the Pathology
Team of Regional Cancer Care and Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) on being the first in
Canada to fully implement an innovative synoptic reporting
initiative that sees Pathologists and Oncologists working
with standard electronic reports when diagnosing cancer.
Using special software, Pathologists can quickly and
easily enter lab results into electronic checklists.
The “synoptic” or standard checklists enhance
patient safety by minimizing the risk for incomplete
reports or confusion regarding results. The simple and
efficient process also helps reduce diagnostic wait
times. As a result, Oncologists have quick access to
thorough, consistent reports in creating the best possible
treatment plan for patients.
“We’re proud of Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre’s leadership for implementing
this important initiative,” said Terrence Sullivan,
CEO and President, Cancer Care Ontario. “These new
standards will help to make sure that patients receive the
best quality care every step of the way.”
“Our team deserves great credit for implementing
these new reporting standards with enthusiasm and
excitement, a demonstration of their dedication
to our cancer patients in Northwestern Ontario.
We are proud to be Canadian leaders in this regard.
Ultimately this is about strengthening our program
to provide the best possible cancer care for residents
of Northwestern Ontario,” said Michael Power,
Vice President of Regional Cancer Services and Diagnostics,
TBRHSC.
“Synoptic” refers to gathering
data in a structured, standardized format and layout with
a pre-specified choice of responses. The checklists have
a consistent format and layout and Pathologists choose from
specific responses when creating the report. TBRHSC was
one of the first hospitals in Ontario to implement synoptic
reporting, using a software tool called mTuitive.
“The mTuitive program
has been a valuable tool recently added to our pathology
practice,” said Dr. Joseph Wasielewski, Chief
of Pathology and Medical Director of the TBRHSC lab.
“It allows us to report on cancer parameters
in the most up to date and standardized way, which
in turn helps facilitate appropriate patient management
and foster a team-based approach to cancer care.”
"We are honoured to
be working with such innovative and dedicated professionals
in Thunder Bay," said Mike Valentine, mTuitive
Vice President of North American Sales. "Their
commitment to patient safety and patient care has
become a model of excellence throughout the province
of Ontario and will extend to other provinces across
Canada."
“Synoptic” refers to gathering data
in a structured, standardized format and layout
with a pre-specified choice of responses. The checklists
have a consistent format and layout and Pathologists
choose from specific responses when creating the
report. TBRHSC was one of the first hospitals in
Ontario to implement synoptic reporting, using a
software tool called mTuitive.
