Accreditation provides assurance that a person or entity has the authority to perform a task. In this sense, accreditation supports the accredited unit and represents a commitment from the unit to the accrediting society.
The Breast Unit Accreditation Committee of the SESPM considers its mission to be to ensure that the care provided to Spanish patients with breast cancer and the breast health care for cancer prevention and promotion of breast health meet the highest quality standards. Among the most important aspects when it comes to the accreditation of a functional breast cancer unit, as outlined by the SESPM, are:
-Updated protocols for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of breast cancer.
-Provide care in the areas of Benign Breast Pathology, Prevention and Early Diagnosis of Cancer, and Genetic Studies.
-Have your own database in which all Quality Indicators are recorded.
-Provide patients with information about available clinical trials and new treatment options.
-Record of Healthcare Activity.
DESIMS is a tool for managing multidisciplinary committees, supporting clinical decision-making in the accreditation of breast cancer units. The software provides a database for the clinical management of patients, enabling collaborative and dynamic work among the professionals within the breast cancer unit. The software also allows for updating incomplete case information, even during committee meetings, thus improving the quality of information and decision-making.
In terms of quality and cost, the software improves the quality and speed of access to information, which translates into benefits for patients and optimized costs for clinical processes. Finally, the software also allows for the anonymized export of patient information for research and medical studies conducted by professionals, enabling the generation of new knowledge and the continuous improvement of clinical care in the breast cancer unit.
From a medical perspective, having management software for functional units and breast committees offers several important advantages in the clinical care of breast cancer patients. In terms of information quality, the software provides direct access to relevant clinical information with a single click, enabling better decision-making based on the most up-to-date and comprehensive information. Furthermore, the software is process-centric, meaning that the patient's progress and current status can be visually monitored.
The use of DESIMS in the management of the breast cancer unit can improve efficiency, quality of care, informed decision-making, accreditation, and collaboration among healthcare professionals. All of this can benefit the hospital in terms of reputation, patient satisfaction, and cost reduction.
The LUCIA project receives funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement 101096473 .