Quality Assessment of Reporting Performance for EGFR Molecular Diagnosis in Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer. (12th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Yanxi; Zhang, Rui; Lin, Guigao; Zhang, Kuo; Xie, Jiehong; Li, Jinming
• Is Part Of: Oncologist. Volume 22:Number 11(2017)
• Page Start: 1325
• Page End: 1332
• Publication Date: 2017-07-12
• Subjects: Molecular diagnosis -- Epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation -- Quality assessment -- Clinical report -- Reporting performance -- Non‐small cell lung cancer; Oncology -- Periodicals; Tumors -- Periodicals; Cancérologie -- Périodiques; Tumeurs -- Périodiques; Oncology; Tumors; Neoplasms; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2017-0042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1083-7159

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Reports serve as a bridge between laboratories and clinicians, help synthesize an overwhelming amount of raw data into evidence‐based medicine, and play a significant role in designing clinical treatments. In an effort to guarantee high‐quality epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) gene mutation testing and reporting performance, the National Center for Clinical Laboratories launched a proficiency testing (PT) scheme reflecting clinical practices in China since 2014. This study focuses on the quality assessment of gene mutation reports. Materials and Methods: Fifty‐three laboratories that submitted reports in both 2014 and 2016 EGFR gene mutation PT schemes were selected for report analysis and comparison according to predefined evaluation criteria. Results: The average score for reports from 2014 was 14 out of 30 points. The overall scores for reports from 2016 improved substantially, yielding an average score of 20 out of 30 points. Among the evaluation criteria, general items were well documented in the reports. However, items specific to molecular diagnosis were far from satisfactory, and some items were even missing. Conclusion: The quality assessment of clinical written reports from 2014 and 2016 demonstrates that substantial improvements have been made in overall reporting performance. However, not all statements pertaining to important elements met expectations. To continue education, repeated PT schemes need to be executed in a timely fashion to expose and address existing shortcomings in clinical reports. There remains ample room for improvement towards generating concise, comprehensive, and readable reports. Abstract : Advancements in molecular diagnosis have revolutionized traditional diagnosis and therapeutic management of non‐small cell lung cancer. This study focuses on the quality assessment of gene mutation reports, focusing on EGFR gene mutation testing and reporting performance of the NCCL.