title: Template-based synoptic reports improve the quality of pathology reports of prostatectomy specimens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Traditionally, pathology reports have been textual, with a high degree of variability. In part, they miss some of the information needed, e.g. for therapy decisions. To meet all requirements, it would be helpful to have a tool providing reminders of the necessary data and facilitating the transfer of these data into a pathology information system (PIS). Here, we describe a TNM-adapted toolset including a PIS-integrated structured template that contributes to improving pathology reports of prostatectomy specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All prostatectomy reports between January 2002 and August 2010 (n = 1049) were classified into descriptive reports (DRs) (n = 411), structured reports (SRs) arranged according to tumour spread, lymph node status, and surgical margin status (n = 333), and template-based synoptic reports (TBSRs) (n = 305). The report types were compared with regard to the content of 11 organ-specific essential data (ED) items crucial for exact TNM classification, therapy decisions, or prognostication. All 11 ED items were included in 2.7% of DRs, 43.5% of SRs and 97.2% of TBSRs, with a statistically highly significant difference (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SRs, and particularly TBSRs, are advantageous as compared with DRs regarding the content of ED and the clarity of the data layout. The use of TBSRs leads to a reduction in failed data transfer and therefore to an increase in the quality of pathology reports.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Breisacher Strasse 115a, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aumann
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amann
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gumpp
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hauschke
authors.forename: Gian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kayser
authors.forename: Annette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wetterauer
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012015:Reference Standards