title: A rationale for developing benchmarks for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
abstract: Benchmarks are established standards of operation developed by a given group or industry generally designed to improve outcomes. The health care industry is increasingly required to develop such standards and document adherence to meet demands of regulatory bodies. Although established practice patterns exist for the treatment of invasive bladder cancer, there is significant treatment variation. This article provides a rationale for the development of benchmarks in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer. Such benchmarks may permit advances in treatment application and potentially improve patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. ctlee@umich.edu
authors.forename: Cheryl T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*