Care Pathways for Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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EVALUATE THE CARE PROCESS AND THE QUALITY OF CARE FOR ADULT CANCER PATIENTS WHO ARE ADMITTED FOR COLORECTAL SURGERY

Detailed Description
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This descriptive study uses an interrupted time series approach combining a retrospective with a prospective multicenter design to evaluate the current state of the care process for adult colorectal cancer patients who are admitted for surgery. This study will give attention to evidence based key interventions, follow-up and interprofessional teamwork necessary to provide appropriate care. In 4 countries (Belgium, Germany, France and The Netherlands) 3 hospitals will participate (total number of hospitals is 12). They will perform a clinical audit of the actual organization of the care process, and a team audit on the level of interprofessional teamwork. Each team will develop and implement a quality improvement initiative based on the concept of care pathways, the findings from the audit and the available evidence, and will measure the effect of their improvement strategy.

Official Title
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Descriptive Study to Evaluate the Care Process and the Quality of Care for Adult Cancer Patients Who Are Admitted for Colorectal Cancer Surgery.

Conditions
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Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Care pathways for colorectal cancer


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All consecutive scheduled admissions starting September 2, 2013; Minimum age of 18 years; Elective admission for colorectal cancer surgery Exclusion Criteria: Emergency (not planned) admission for colorectal cancer surgery; Patients with severe dementia (DSM IV) or severe concomitant disease that may affect very short-term outcome (life expectancy less than 3 months) and hence influence deviations from standard acute care.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Usual care<br>quality of care will be measured in the participating hospitals, using a retrospective patient record analysis | |
| Care Pathway<br>Care pathways for colorectal cancer | Other: Care pathways for colorectal cancer<br>* development of a care pathway for this patient group<br>* Other names: critical pathway;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Length of stay | Number of days in hospital | through study completion, an average of 4 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time to return to normal diet | number of days in between surgery and day of normal diet | through study completion, an average of 4 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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surgery, bowel, rectum, cancer, nutrition