TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Gazzani, Diana
AU  -  Dai Prè, Alberto
AU  -  Sandrini, Roberto
AU  -  Governa, Maurizio
AU  -  Favaro, Andrea
AU  -  Zogno, Andrea
AU  -  Remo, Andrea
AU  -  Greco, Filippo
AU  -  Molinari, Enrico
AU  -  Aguzzi, Graziana
AU  -  Signorelli, Denise
AU  -  Caprara, Daniele
AU  -  Costa, Lucia
AU  -  Zanella, Caterina
AU  -  Signorini, Manuel
AU  -  Mercanti, Anna
AU  -  Giuliani, Jacopo
AU  -  Zambelli, Lorena
AU  -  Majori, Silvia
AU  -  Moretti, Francesca
AU  -  Bonetti, Andrea
T1  -  The process of EUSOMA certification improves the quality of breast cancer care: the experience of an Italian EUSOMA certificated Breast Unit (BU) according to the results
of a cross-sectional study
PY  -  2021
Y1  -  2021-06-01
DO  -  10.1701/3620.36029
JO  -  Recenti Progressi in Medicina
JA  -  Recenti Prog Med
VL  -  112
IS  -  6
SP  -  458
EP  -  464
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2038-1840
Y2  -  2026/04/23
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1701/3620.36029
N2  -  Summary. Introduction. The adherence to recognized guidelines and the constant monitoring of performance throughout quality indicators (QIs) are strategic tools to improve the quality of care. The study is aimed to assess the effect of the EUSOMA (European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists) certification process on the quality of breast cancer care of an EUSOMA certified Breast Unit (BU) of Northern Italy. Materials and methods. Seventeen mandatory and recommended EUSOMA QIs, based on 594, were analysed for the years 2015-2018. Univariate logistic regression models were performed to compare QIs performance in the years before and after obtaining the EUSOMA certification (2015-6 vs. 2017-8). Results. Compared to the years 2015-6, the second period of BU activity showed a higher number of QIs achieving both the minimum standard (15 vs. 11) and the 100% of completeness (6 vs. 1). There was a significant improvement of the two QIs evaluating the proportion of Ductal Carcinoma in situ receiving just an operation (from 76% to 95.2%; p=0.033) and the completeness of the prognostic characterisation of invasive cancers (from 94.6% to 99.5%; p=0.022). Conversely, the QI related to the endocrine-sensitive invasive carcinoma receiving adjuvant hormonal therapy dropped from 92.1% to 85.9% (p=0.042) and was significantly lower for patients over 74 compared to those aged ≤54 (73.8% vs. 94.7%; p<0.0001 Fisher’s exact test). Conclusions. The EUSOMA certification process enhanced the clinical practice, promoting a tailored-patient primary systemic or adjuvant therapy and avoiding unnecessary invasive surgical and local-regional treatments.
ER  -