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
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 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
    Can Thinking Younger Make You Live Longer?
    April 20, 2011
    Image
    Obesity’s Outlook Unchanged
    June 13, 2011
    When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
    July 16, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 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
Last updated: November 5, 2014 9:11 am
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

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

hospital technology
BusinessFinanceHospital AdministrationTechnology

Hospitals Ignore Bill Payment Technology and Suffer the Consequences

April 12, 2013
Image
BusinessPublic Health

Annual Healthcare Costs For Family of 4 Now At $22,030

June 3, 2013

Harvard Students Design ChemoPatch for Cancer Treatments Outside the Hospital

November 14, 2013

The Importance of Targeted Care in Specialty Pharmacy

December 6, 2015
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?