Development of ovarian cancer surgery quality indicators using a modified Delphi approach.
OBJECTIVE
Little performance measurement has been undertaken in the area of oncology, particularly for surgery which is a pivotal event in the continuum of cancer care. This work was conducted to develop indicators of quality ovarian cancer surgery using a modified three-step Delphi approach.


METHODS
A multidisciplinary panel, comprised of surgical and methodologic co-chairs, nine surgeons, one medical oncologist, one radiation oncologist, a nurse, and a pathologist, reviewed potential indicators extracted from the medical literature through two consecutive rounds of rating followed by consensus discussion. The panel then prioritized the indicators selected in the previous two rounds.


RESULTS
Of 33 possible indicators that emerged from 41 selected articles, 14 were prioritized by the panel as benchmarks for assessing the quality of surgical care. The 14 indicators represent three levels of measurement (provincial/regional, hospital, individual provider) across several phases of care (diagnosis, surgery, pathology, and adjuvant therapy), as well as broad measures of access and outcomes. Some of the indicators selected by the panel were also recommended as standards of care by national initiatives in other countries.


CONCLUSIONS
A systematic evidence- and consensus-based approach was used to develop quality indicators of ovarian cancer care, with a focus on pre-, peri-, and postoperative care as well as outcomes, that are applicable in any jurisdiction.
Gagliardi
Anna R
AR
Surgical Oncology Program, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Fung
Michael Fung Kee
MF
Langer
Bernard
B
Stern
Hartley
H
Brown
Adalsteinn D
AD
D032921:Consensus; D003697:Delphi Technique; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome