Real-World Gaps in Chart Documentation and Patient-Centered Care Inform Team-Based Action Plans for Relapsed/Refractory DLBCL: Results from a Quality Improvement Study

• Published in: Blood 2020-11, Vol.136 (Supplement 1), p.21-22
• Main Authors: Hagemeister, F. B.B., Jacobson, Anne, Carter, Jeffrey D, Sapir, Tamar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood-2020-136736

Background Using shared decision-making (SDM) to define therapeutic goals and shape individualized treatment plans for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) can profoundly improve patient-reported outcomes. However, unique barriers within oncology systems can impede patient-centered care coordination and delivery. In this quality improvement (QI) initiative, we assessed barriers to patient-centered R/R DLBCL care in 2 community oncology systems and conducted team-based audit-feedback (AF) sessions within each system to facilitate improved care coordination. Methods Between 12/2019 and 1/2020, 33 hematology/oncology healthcare professionals (HCPs) completed team-based surveys designed to assess barriers to quality R/R DLBCL care in 2 community oncology systems (Table 1). In addition, we retrospectively audited electronic medical records (EMRs) of 75 patients with R/R DLBCL to compare documented practice patterns with self-reported survey results. To address identified gaps, 31 HCPs practicing within the 2 systems participated in AF sessions; together, clinical teams developed action plans guided by survey insights and EMR findings. Additional surveys completed before and after the AF sessions measured changes in participants' beliefs and confidence in care delivery. A planned prospective follow-up EMR audit of 75 patients will assess changes in documentation and practice behavior. Results Team Surveys and EMR Audit: Using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = extremely unlikely; 5 = extremely likely), HCPs indicated a high likelihood of using prognostic scores (mean score, 3.8) and cell of origin (mean score, 3.9) to inform DLBCL treatment decisions. However, despite documentation of individual prognostic factors, only 30% of EMRs included the calculated International Prognostic Index (IPI) risk score and only 8% included cell of origin. No EMRs included an age-adjusted IPI, stage-modified IPI, or NCCN-IPI score (Figure 1). Despite only 6% of HCPs identifying engaging patients in SDM as a major practice challenge, SDM resources were consistently underutilized (Figure 2). Only 30% of HCPs estimated using SDM in more than half of their patients; 23% of HCPs reported using SDM with none of their patients with R/R DLBCL. Moreover, while 63% of HCPs reported routinely asking the patient what role he/she wishes to play (active, passive, collaborative), fewer HCPs integrated other SDM tools: using visual aids to communicate treatment benefits/risks (