Elective surgery for colorectal cancer in a defined Swedish population.

• AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe variability in compliance to clinical guidelines in colorectal cancer surgery related to hospital structure.METHODS: All patients registered in the databases of the Regional Oncologic Centre, operated upon electively for colon cancer between the start of the register in 1997 until 2000 (n=1771) and for rectal cancer between the start of the register in 1995 until 2000 (n=1841) were selected for analysis.RESULTS: There was no difference in 5-year survival rate between colon and rectal cancer (mean follow-up 2.6 and 3.0 years, respectively; p=0.22). There was a significant difference in frequency of preoperative liver scan depending on hospital category with an increase in colon cancer from 39 to 46% (p=0.02) and in rectal cancer from 42 to 64% (p<0.001). For colon cancer there was no difference, according to hospital category, in quotient sigmoid and high anterior resection to left-sided resection. Furthermore, high anterior resection was more common at university and general district hospitals (8%) compared with district hospitals (4%) (p=0.01). Sphincter-saving surgery was more common at university hospitals and district general hospitals than at district hospitals (low anterior/abdomino-perineal resection quotients 2.3, 2.4 and 1.6, respectively; p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Population-based audit forms an appropriate and valuable basis for quality assurance projects. In addition to describing compliance to guidelines and pointing to process steps that can be improved, such investigations may also indicate changes due to scientific development. Linked to case-costing data, such results may form an important basis for decisions about modifications in health care.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Gastroenterologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Gastroenterology and Hepatology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Adenocarcinoma/economics/mortality/*surgery

Aged

Colonic Neoplasms/economics/mortality/*surgery

Digestive System Surgical Procedures/economics/methods

Female

Guideline Adherence

Hospitals

District/statistics & numerical data

Hospitals

University/statistics & numerical data

Humans

Male

Quality Assurance

Health Care

Rectal Neoplasms/economics/mortality/*surgery

Registries

Surgical Procedures

Elective/economics

Survival Rate

Oncology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)