Quality Initiatives

McLaren Cancer Institute members, both clinicians and researchers, are committed to the practice of evidence-based medicine. All oncologists subscribe and adhere to the evidenced-based guidelines from either or both of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) or the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). McLaren Cancer Institute oncologists collect and report data on adherence to established clinical guidelines on an annual basis. Guideline topics are selected by the Medical Directors of all McLaren Cancer Institute sites and the data collection process is centralized at all of our Tumor Registries.

These annual quality reports focus on a review of areas associated with the achievement of positive treatment outcomes. By utilizing a network approach, the comparative analysis allows for a larger population sampling with more accurate data analysis and intervention applications to achieve superior quality outcomes. This rigorous commitment to evidence-based medicine is also reflected in our involvement with and accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

2010 Study Criteria: In preparation for new Commission on Cancer standards changes anticipated for 2011 implementation, McLaren Cancer Institute collectively reviewed their baseline adherence to documented staging prior to interventional surgery for lung cancer patients diagnosed in 2008.

Results:

Conclusions/Plan: Internal task forces were convened at each subsidiary location to evaluate staging procedures currently in place and identify interventions to improve local compliance rates. Collectively, the Medical Advisory Committee for the McLaren Cancer Institute developed a tumor board reporting template including prospective clinical staging for future documentation.