By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    preventing from sickness
    The 4 Steps To Take If You Get Sick While Living As An Expat
    August 25, 2024
    workout recovery
    From Fatigue to Fuel: Recovery Hacks for Faster Results
    December 24, 2024
    Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Image
    Caregivers, Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands, It Saves Lives
    February 10, 2013
    Misconception – Healthcare Reform Will Impact Medical Science
    March 8, 2012
    Image
    What To Do About Heroin and Oxycontin
    April 26, 2013
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: How Synoptic Reporting Supports Patient Outcomes Analysis
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > How Synoptic Reporting Supports Patient Outcomes Analysis
BusinessHospital AdministrationMedical Records

How Synoptic Reporting Supports Patient Outcomes Analysis

Tim_Edlund
Tim_Edlund
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE
synoptic reportingOne of the biggest benefits of moving from narrative (text) pathology reporting formats to synoptic (coded values) is enhanced research capabilities.  When your data is trapped in text blocks where different word forms and
synoptic reportingOne of the biggest benefits of moving from narrative (text) pathology reporting formats to synoptic (coded values) is enhanced research capabilities.  When your data is trapped in text blocks where different word forms and modifiers can change meaning, it is difficult to extract meaningful data to drive out patient outcomes.  Structured practices for reporting and particularly use of synoptic formats (templates), improve reporting quality according to several leading studies [1, 2].

Analyzing Synoptic Values for Melanomas

Recently I was working with a client to demonstrate how analysis tools work in conjunction with synoptic reports.  It was rewarding to see how quickly various assumptions about correlations between data values can be tested.  The synoptic reports created efficiently, out of normal operations, form a valuable research database.

We used a set of surgery reports on melanoma excisions captured over about a 5 year period.  We began by focusing on one particular measure, “Breslow’s thickness” (depth of the tumor on the skin), at diagnosis to see how it varied with other parameters in the case record.  Within about 10 minutes and using only end user tools like Microsoft Excel, we were able to establish the following:  

  • There was no significant difference in average Breslow’s thickness by age or gender. 
  • Breslows thickness correlated positively with age – although to a lesser extent than we guessed before seeing the values.
  • Where family history of skin cancer existed, the patient was likely to be diagnosed at a smaller tumor thicknesses.  

We believe this last finding may confirm the value of information and education about skin cancer (communicated as a result of the experiences of relatives) in achieving earlier diagnoses. Conversely, patients who did not have a family history of melanoma were more likely to be diagnosed with a thicker tumor.

Synoptic Reporting, a Valuable Research Asset  

These results were not conducted as part of a formal study and are not the basis for any major conclusions about skin cancer.  They do however, demonstrate the value of synoptic reports as a research asset that can be leveraged quickly, without IT support, to uncover outcomes worthy of further study.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

wound market analysis
BusinessFinance

Wound Market Analysis: A Case Study in Understanding Context

March 31, 2014
family caregiving in America
FinancePolicy & LawPublic Health

Family Caregivers: Unsung Heroes of Healthcare in America

November 9, 2014

“Choosing Wisely” Brings a New Care Conversation to the Table

April 14, 2012
Image
Medical Records

Can Innovative Software Reduce Hospital Admissions?

April 6, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?