This standardized, visual software tool quickly gives healthcare providers an accurate assessment of a patient’s skin cancer treatment history and allows them to record and categorize skin lesions easily during a screening. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70 . Screening accounts for 15 percent of skin cancer-related healthcare costs. For skin cancer screenings, physicians typically must review all past procedures and pathology reports and enter the patient’s screening information manually, which is time-consuming and can lead to errors. Available automated software only documents patient history in text form, slowing down the screening process.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed an improved system for documenting a patient’s skin cancer history, relevant skin lesions using a visual display. For healthcare providers in dermatology, this intuitive display facilitates more efficient review and documentation of patient skin cancer history in the screening process.
Graphical skin-cancer documentation system for optimal workflow in the skin cancer screening process
This software tool employs a color-shape coding system to document lesions during a skin cancer screening. The tool provides a diagram from which the healthcare provider can quickly assess a patient’s skin cancer history. The software includes a time-period tracker helpful for assessing the efficacy of prior treatments and evaluating factors that may have contributed to a patient’s skin cancer history. Accurate, easily accessible documentation can reduce the number of biopsies performed and help healthcare providers develop appropriate treatment plans.