Implementing a Quality Initiative May Help Identify Patients With Clinical Characteristics of Advanced PV
Step 1
Search your EHR system for the
following inclusion criteria for patients:
- ICD-10 code for polycythemia vera: D45
- AND
Current medication: Hydroxyurea
AND
Elevated Hct >44%
Step 2
Search your EHR and/or examine records for presence of clinical characteristics of advanced PV:
- WBC >11 X 109/L1
OR
Examine patient records for burdensome disease-related symptoms (such as fatigue, night sweats, and pruritus)2,3
Step 3
Monitor your EHR system regularly and notify clinicians of patients who have the clinical characteristics of advanced disease
Since burdensome disease-related symptoms are usually not documented using structured or discrete data fields,4 review the patient’s chart to confirm if any of the signs and symptoms are present4
Establish QI Champions in Your Practice
Collaboration among care team members is key when implementing a QI to help develop and operationalize individualized care plans5
Executive leadership & practice administration
May identify quality areas of interest for practice focus and leads future implementation into practice workflows
Pharmacist
Leads strategic implementation of Quality Initiatives that deliver on areas of interest for the practice and supports ongoing implementation and care plan adjustments
Provider
Consults with pharmacist and incorporates specialty pharmacists’ assessments into the patient’s care plans
References: 1. Barbui T, Masciulli A, Marfisi MR, et al. White blood cell counts and thrombosis in polycythemia vera: a subanalysis of the CYTO-PV study. Blood. 2015;126(4):560-561. 2. Geyer H, Scherber R, Kosiorek H, et al. Symptomatic profiles of patients with polycythemia vera: implications of inadequately controlled disease. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34(2):151-159. 3. Emanuel RM, Dueck AC, Geyer HL, et al. Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) symptom assessment form total symptom score: prospective international assessment of an abbreviated symptom burden scoring system among patients with MPNs. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30(33):4098-4103. doi:10.1200/JCO.2012.42.3863 4. Verstovsek S, Yu J, Kish JK, et al. Real-world risk assessment and treatment initiation among patients with myelofibrosis at community oncology practices in the United States. Ann Hematol. 2020;99(11):2555-2564. doi:10.1007/s00277-020-04055-w 5. Quality initiatives in action: real world impact on patients with polycythemia vera. © 2021, Incyte Corporation.