Reducing Time from Prostate Biopsy to Final Report with Electronic Documentation
Author Information
Author(s): Bernhard Breil, Axel Semjonow, Martin Dugas
Primary Institution: University of Münster
Hypothesis
Does electronic documentation reduce the time from biopsy to final report compared to paper-based documentation?
Conclusion
Electronic documentation can significantly reduce the time from biopsy to final report of prostate biopsy results and generates a reliable basis for quality management and research purposes.
Supporting Evidence
- The median time from biopsy to final report decreased from 7 days to 6 days after implementing electronic documentation.
- Physicians reported good acceptance of the electronic system due to familiarity with the hospital information system.
- The electronic system allows for better monitoring of data completeness and quality.
Takeaway
Using computers to document prostate biopsies helps doctors get results faster than using paper forms.
Methodology
We compared the time from biopsy to final report between paper-based and electronic documentation systems using a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test.
Limitations
The study did not include an introduction phase for the electronic system, which may affect the results.
Participant Demographics
Prostate biopsies were mainly performed by two urologists, with a similar number of patients per week in both phases.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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