The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) has fostered a voluntary certification process for breast centres to establish minimum standards and ensure specialist multidisciplinary ...care. Prospectively collected anonymous information on primary breast cancer cases diagnosed and treated in the units is transferred annually to a central EUSOMA data warehouse for continuous monitoring of quality indicators (QIs) to improve quality of care. Units have to comply with the EUSOMA Breast Centre guidelines and are audited by peers. The database was started in 2006 and includes over 110,000 cancers from breast centres located in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Italy. The aim of the present study is assessing time trends of QIs in EUSOMA-certified breast centres over the decade 2006–2015.
Previously defined QIs were calculated for 22 EUSOMA-certified breast centres (46122 patients) during 2006–2015.
On the average of all units, the minimum standard of care was achieved in 8 of 13 main EUSOMA QIs in 2006 and in all in 2015. All QIs, except removal of at least 10 lymph nodes at axillary clearance and oestrogen receptor–negative tumours (T > 1 cm or N+) receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, improved significantly in this period. The desirable target was reached for two QIs in 2006 and for 7 of 13 QIs in 2015.
The EUSOMA model of audit and monitoring QIs functions well in different European health systems and results in better performance of QIs over the last decade. QIs should be evaluated and adapted on a regular basis, as guidelines change over time.
•The time trends of quality indicators in EUSOMA-certified breast centres over the decade 2006–2015 are evaluated.•The EUSOMA model of audit and monitoring QIs functions well in different European health systems.•Audit and measuring quality indicators result in better performance.
Abstract Aim of the study The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) has fostered a voluntary certification process for breast units to establish minimum standards and ensure ...specialist multidisciplinary care. In the present study we assess the impact of EUSOMA certification for all breast units for which sufficient information was available before and after certification. Materials and methods For 22 EUSOMA certified breast units data of 30,444 patients could be extracted from the EUSOMA database on the evolution of QI's before and after certification. Results On the average of all units, the minimum standard of care was achieved for 12/13 QI's before and after EUSOMA certification (not met for DCIS receiving just one operation). There was a significant improvement of 5 QI's after certification. The proportion of patients with invasive cancer undergoing an axillary clearance containing >9 lymph nodes (91.5% vs 89.4%, p 0.003) and patients with invasive cancer having just 1 operation (83.1% vs 80.4%, p < 0.001) dropped, but remained above the minimum standard. The targeted standard of breast care was reached for the same 4/13 QI's before and after EUSOMA certification. Conclusion Although the absolute effect of EUSOMA certification was modest it further increases standards of care and should be regarded as part of a process aiming for excellence. Dedicated units already provide a high level of care before certification, but continuous monitoring and audit remains of paramount importance as complete adherence to guidelines is difficult to achieve.
To retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic value of high-frequency ultrasound for the detection of microcalcifications screening in BI-RADS 4a patients.
A total of 52 women (mean age 60.5±6.5 years) ...classified as BI-RADS 4a with microcalcifications, but without associated masses after X-ray mammography (XRM) underwent ultrasound (US) examination (B-mode, ApliPure™ , and MicroPure™ imaging). The results were assessed by two independent investigators and analyzed in relation to the B-classification. Written informed consent was obtained before enrolment.
The rate of US microcalcification detection was 98.1% (B-mode), 100% (ApliPure™) and 25% (MicroPure™), respectively. The microcalcification extent was significantly underestimated with all US modalities in comparison with XRM, but the difference was lower for ApliPure™ as compared to B-mode. ApliPure™ was also superior in terms of puncture feasibility, facilitating US-guided biopsy in 67.3% as compared to 48.1% (B-mode) and 15.4% (MicroPure™).
In BI-RADS 4a patients, both high-frequency B-mode US and ApliPure™ imaging are highly sensitive for the detection of microcalcifications, whereas MicroPure™ ultrasound imaging is unsuitable. ApliPure™ imaging allowed US guided biopsy for 67.3% of lesions, providing a convenient and economical alternative to stereotactically guided biopsy.
Automated ultrasound examination of suspicious findings can reduce the physician's workload in screening mammography. The present study examines the diagnostic accuracy of this method in comparison ...to mammography as the reference standard for the first time.
A total of 304 patients underwent automated 3D ultrasound examination after screening mammography. Mammograms and ultrasound images were assessed by independent examiners, and sensitivity, specificity and the degree of agreement between both methods were calculated.
The degree of agreement was moderate (Cohen's κ=0.130 for all and 0.153 for positive/negative ratings), mainly owing to a high percentage of false-positive ultrasound results. However, the results of sonographical re-examination of suspicious mammograms were favorable. The only two undetected proven malignant lesions were microcalcified, and in three more cases with disagreement, the ultrasound diagnosis was correct.
Automated 3D ultrasound imaging appears to be on a par with hand-held ultrasound in terms of diagnostic quality.
