Value-Based Health Care
There is ongoing debate on how to reform the health care system. Value-based systems have been proposed to account for both quality and cost. The primary goal of value-based health…
Collaboration with the Community Cancer Center
Developing successful programs in a community cancer center involves collaborative efforts between employed and private practice physicians, hospital and cancer center administrations, support personnel, and significant resources, coupled with a…
Appropriate Use of Surgical Procedures for Patients with Cancer
With increasing focus on improving quality and promoting patient-centered care, ensuring that patients receive appropriate surgical procedures is paramount. The appropriateness method was developed to determine which patients should and…
Patient Safety in Surgical Oncology
Despite knowledge that most surgical adverse events occur in the operating room (OR), understanding of the intraoperative phase of care is incomplete; most studies measure surgical safety in terms of…
Randomized Controlled Trials in Surgical Oncology:
This article reviews the history of clinical trials in surgery using breast cancer surgery and rectal cancer surgery as examples. Trials in breast cancer have transformed the surgical management of…
Prediction Tools in Surgical Oncology
Artificial neural networks, prediction tables, and clinical nomograms allow physicians to transmit an immense amount of prognostic information in a format that exhibits comprehensibility and brevity. Current models demonstrate the…
Racial Differences and Disparities in Cancer Care and Outcomes
Despite a profusion of studies over the past several years documenting racial differences in cancer outcomes, there is a paucity of data as to the root causes underlying these observations….
Importance of and Adherence to Lymph Node Staging Standards in Gastrointestinal Cancer
In gastrointestinal oncology, one of the most important factors influencing cancer-specific survival is the presence of positive lymph nodes. Although it remains controversial, adequate lymph node examination is required for…
Unexpected Readmissions After Major Cancer Surgery
Readmissions following major oncologic operation are common—affecting patient treatment, outcome, and hospital resources. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services mandates reporting of certain disease-specific readmissions and Congress is considering…
Variation in Mortality After High-Risk Cancer Surgery
Surgical mortality with oncologic surgery varies widely in the United States. Patients, providers, and payers are paying closer attention to these variations and a way of reducing them. Although different…
