Synoptic Pathology Reporting
Synoptic pathology reporting uses an electronic report in discrete data field format. That means each type of information has a specific place and format in the report. Synoptic reports standardize the way data is collected, transmitted, stored, retrieved and shared between clinical information systems.
For a list of specific features that define synoptic reporting format, please visit The College of American Pathologists.
Levels of Standardized Pathology Reporting
In Ontario, since 2004, pathology reporting has evolved from the traditional narrative structure to Level 6 pathology reporting based on the CAP content standard and NAACCR Volume V messaging and format standard. These are outlined in Cancer Care Ontario’s Data Book.
Reporting level |
Level 1 | Level 2 | level 3 | level 4 | level 5 | level 6 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
description |
Narrative No CAP content Single text field data |
Narrative No CAP content Single text field data |
Level 2+ Synoptic-like structured format |
Level 3+ Electronic reporting tools using drop-down menus |
Level 4+ Standardized reporting language Data elements stored in discrete data fields |
Level 5+ Common data and messaging standards with ckeys, SNOMED CT or other encoding |
% Ontario Hospitals |
5% | 40% | 50% | 5% | 0% | 0% |
% Ontario Hospitals |
0% | 5% | 70% | 25% | 0% | 0% |
% Ontario Hospitals |
0% | 0% | 65% | 17% | 18% | 0% |
% Ontario Hospitals |
0% | 0% | 20% | 2% | 78% | 0% |
% Ontario Hospitals |
0% | 0% | 8% | 0% | 0% | 92% |
% Ontario Hospitals |
0% | 0% | 3% | 0% | 0% | 97% |
% Ontario Hospitals |
0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 100% |
Data Source: CCO ePath
Notes: Ontario hospitals includes 119 acute care facilities – primary and secondary. Primary sites submit cancer pathology reports directly to CCO Ontario Cancer Registry via CCO ePath system. Primary sites may also report cancer pathology for secondary hospitals. Private labs and Paediatric facilities are not included.
College of American Pathologists Cancer Checklist Standards
Ontario has endorsed the College of American Pathologists (CAP) cancer checklists as the content standard for pathology reporting based on these benefits:
- The checklists were derived by the CAP Cancer Committee, with extensive input from leading interdisciplinary disease site experts across North America, using the most currently available research and evidence.
- The checklists comprise evidence-based protocols and lists of criteria.
-
The Canadian Association of Pathologists has endorsed the CAP checklists as the pan-Canadian standard for synoptic pathology reporting, as of July 2009.
Measurement of Quality and Performance in Pathology Reporting
Synoptic pathology data is used by Cancer Care Ontario to report on 5 routine indicators:
- Pathology data quality indicators:
- synoptic reporting rate for mandated eCC templates
- pathology report completeness
- Surgical pathology indicators:
- radical prostatectomy with involved margin
- colorectal resection lymph node retrieval count
- Pathology performance indicator:
- cancer resection turnaround time
Want to earn CME credits? See the Synoptic Pathology Reporting Education section for details.
For more information on synoptic pathology data, please email pathology@cancercare.on.ca.