ISSUE #4 ABDR newsletter out now

Welcome to the fourth issue of the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) Newsletter to keep you up to date on the progress, latest news and upcoming events of this world-first registry.

ABDR National Roll-out 

• Number of sites contributing to the ABDR: 176 ( full list of participating sites can be found on our website.)
• Number of surgeons currently contributing data:  315
• Patients contributing to the registry: 13,922
• Patients opting out <1%
• Number of surgeries recorded in the registry: 15,276

Mobile Technology to Source PROMs (Patient Reported Outcome Measures)  

SMS technology is being piloted as a means for patients to provide feedback on the look and feel of their implants 12-15 months after surgery. A SMS containing a unique link to 5 short questions will be sent to 200 patients, aged 20 – 70 years enrolled in the registry. PROMs feedback will assist the registry to determine whether the look/feel of implants can reliably predict trends or complications.  Questions are based on the BREAST-Q Implant Surveillance (IS) tool.  As far as we are aware, this is the first time a device registry has used SMS technology in this capacity. For more information visit this post.

Patient Consent and Sensitivity to Contact

It is imperative that patients are aware that their data will be submitted to the ABDR.

• We are ethically obliged to ensure that patients know about the registry prior to surgery and are aware that they are entitled to opt out.
• For some patients, breast surgery is a very sensitive issue. If your patient would prefer us to send the follow up explanatory statement to another address (or by email), please note this on the DCF or have the patient call us at 1800 998 722.

We extend our thanks to surgeons and their staff for discussing the ABDR with each patient prior to surgery and for providing them with a leaflet at the time of consultation.  To order more pre-printed information leaflets or posters, please contact your nearest ABDR research officer.

To our participating surgeons, theatre staff and practice staff 

Thank you for ensuring the Data Collection Forms (DCFs) are completed prior to submitting for inclusion in the registry.  Data quality is critical to the accuracy of ABDR reports; incomplete DCFs reduce the quality of data captured and subsequently reported to clinicians and stakeholders. Anyone not sure where or how to complete a section on the DCF is welcome to speak to a member of our team on 1800 998 722.

Diary Notes: upcoming events for health practitioners 

May is the month for Webinars:  Connect with an ABDR research officer at one of three 30 minute webinars in May this year. Conveniently timed to work around your schedule, the information-packed session covers ABDR progress and reporting, common data collection form (DCF) queries and more. The choice of dates and times are:

• Tuesday 2nd May, 2017 at 6pm
• Thursday 4th May, 2017 at 7 am
• Wednesday 10th May, 2017 at 1pm

Surgeons, theatre and practice staff welcome. To register your interest please click on the preferred date and time above.

BreastSurgANZ are hosting an interactive Oncoplastic Level 1 course for their members on 8th May 2017 in Adelaide. The workshop includes an overview of breast reconstruction, including implant based reconstruction and specifically, techniques to perform skin and nipple sparing mastectomy to optimise the result from immediate implant based reconstruction. For more details download the brochure from here.

Please note our new office location: 553 St. Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004. Phone, fax and email details are unchanged.  There is no need to alter the address on ABDR-issued envelopes.

If you are a health practitioner and would like to receive the ABDR e-newsletter please contact us.