IHE PaLM - Radiology Pathology Concordance (RPC)
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IHE PaLM - Radiology Pathology Concordance (RPC), published by IHE IT Infrastructure Technical Committee. This is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 0.1.0). This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/IHE/PaLM.RPC/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

1:XX. RPC Volume 1

Radiology Pathology Concordance (RPC)

**The Radiology Pathology Concordance (RPC) Profile describes how discrete data elements are collected from structured reports to create an integrated report, where concordance of results is assessed, and reports are shared to an EMR or system in use by a health facility.

The integrated report would extract data from structured radiology and pathology reports, compare the extracted results and assign a score based on the concordance of the results which will be included in a new integrated report. Use cases include the correlation of structured reporting data for Breast, Prostate and Thyroid cancers, as well as the use of integrated diagnostic reports for radiologist training, as well as a tool in MCC’s and Tumor Board discussions to support decision making for patient care.**

1:X.1 RPC Actors, Transactions, and Content Modules

Actors and transactions are used to achieve this use-case…

Content CreatorContent CreatorContent ConsumerContent ConsumerSend Concordance Report [LAB-90]Send Concordance Report Response [LAB-90]


Figure: Use Case 1 Process Flow

This section defines the actors and transactions in this implementation guide.

Figure below shows the actors directly involved in the RPC Profile and the relevant transactions between them.

Content Data Structure ConsumerContent Data Structure ConsumerContent CreatorContent CreatorContent ConsumerContent ConsumerContent Data Structure CreatorContent Data Structure CreatorRetrieve Concordance Report Definition [LAB-91]Retrieve Concordance Report Definition Response [LAB-91]Send Concordance Report [LAB-90]Send Concordance Report Response [LAB-90]


Figure: RPC Actor Diagram

Table XX.1-1: Profile Acronym Profile - Actors and Transactions

Actors Transactions Initiator or Responder Optionality Reference
Content Creator Send Concordance Report [LAB-90] Initiator R PaLM TF-2: 3.Y
Content Consumer Send Concordance Report Response [LAB-90] Responder R PaLM TF-2: 3.Y
Content Data Structure Consumer Retrieve Concordance Report Definition [LAB-91] Initiator R PaLM TF-2: 3.Y2
Content Data Structure Creator Retrieve Concordance Report Definition Response [LAB-91] Responder R PaLM TF-2: 3.Y2

XX.1.1 Actors

The actors in this profile are described in more detail in the sections below.

XX.1.1.1 Content Creator

The Content Creator associates key data elements from the Pathology and Radiology structured reports, evaluates the identified data elements for concordance, and assigns a concordance score to the case and creates a concordance report.

FHIR Capability Statement for Content Creator

XX.1.1.2 Content Consumer

The Content Creator notifies the Content Consumer of the availability of the concordance report. Clinicians can log into the Content Consumer to retrieve the report and review for correlation and concordance.

FHIR Capability Statement for Content Consumer

XX.1.1.3 Content Data Structure Creator

The Content Data Structure creator defines a Measure Resource that would be exchanged between the Content Creator and Content Consumer. The implementing site would define the aggregate health data to be exchanged.

FHIR Capability Statement for Content Data Structure Creator

XX.1.1.4 Content Data Structure Consumer

The Content Data Structure Consumer consumes a Measure Resource produced by a content data structure creator. The content creator or the content consumer may act as a Content Data Structure Consumer.

FHIR Capability Statement for Content Data Structure Consumer

Transaction Descriptions

The transactions in this profile are summarized in the sections below.

Send Concordance Report [LAB-90]

This transaction describes how to send data from a Content Creator to a Content Consumer.

For more details see the detailed LAB-90 description

Retrieve Concordance Report Definition [LAB-91]

This transaction is used to obtain the FHIR Measure to structure and validate a given FHIR MeasureReport.

For more details see the detailed LAB-91 description

XX.2 RPC Actor Options

No options have been defined for this profile.

XX.3 RPC Required Actor Groupings

RPC has no required actor groupings. Optional actor groupings are defined in Section X.1.

XX.4 RPC Overview

XX.4.1 Concepts

The following concepts are used in this profile:

  • Measure: the FHIR resource which defines a correlation measure.
  • MeasureReport: the FHIR resource which specifies the data captured according to a Measure.

XX.4.2 Use Cases

XX.4.2.1 Use Case #1: Concordance Scoring for Radiologist Training

XX.4.2.1.1 Concordance Scoring for Radiologist Training Use Case Description

In this use case Rad-Path concordance will be used as a training tool for Radiologists. The application will assess concordance in identified data elements extracted from structured radiology and pathology reports for Breast, Prostate, and Thyroid.

A report will be produced based on the extracted data and will be assigned a score based on how concordant the radiology report was to the pathology report.

This concordance score will then be shared back with the Radiologist issuing the radiology report for training and quality improvement purposes. The goal is to decrease the number of discordant results and improve accuracy of interpretation and reporting.

XX.4.2.1.2 simple name Process Flow
Content Data Structure ConsumerContent Data Structure ConsumerContent CreatorContent CreatorContent ConsumerContent ConsumerContent Data Structure CreatorContent Data Structure CreatorRetrieve Concordance Report Definition [LAB-91]Retrieve Concordance Report Definition Response [LAB-91]Send Concordance Report [LAB-90]Send Concordance Report Response [LAB-90]


Figure XX.4.2.1-2: Basic Process Flow in RPC Profile

XX.4.2.2 Use Case #2: Rad-Path Concordance and Reporting for MCC/Tumor Board Review

XX.4.2.2.1 Rad-Path Concordance and Reporting for MCC/Tumor Board Review

In this use case an integrated diagnostic report will be created to facilitate discussions in a group setting such as Tumor Boards/ Multidisciplinary Cancer Conferences (MCC). Tumor Boards/ MCCs bring together a multidisciplinary group of clinicians and other care providers to review cancer cases, share knowledge and develop care plans for cancer patients. Radiology and pathology reports provide key information needed to make care plans and treatment decisions.

Radiology and Pathology data will be extracted from structured Radiology and Pathology reports based on identified key data elements. Extracted data will automatically be assessed for concordance and an integrated report will be issued. An integrated diagnostic report would enable the clinicians in a group setting to more quickly and effectively make treatment or care decisions for a cancer patient.

XX.4.2.3 Use Case #3: Breast Rad-Path Concordance

XX.4.2.3.1 Breast Rad-Path Concordance

In this use case an application extracts data from structured radiology and pathology reports to create an integrated diagnostic report for Breast lesions.

The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) enables the structured and standardized collection of Mammography, Ultrasound, and MRI results through radiology information systems (RIS) or voice recognition systems.

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) Cancer Protocols for DCIS Biopsy and Invasive Breast Cancer Biopsy collect pathologic data in a structured format which is integrated with Laboratory Information Systems (LIS).

Data elements important to the diagnosis of Breast Cancer will be extracted from the LIS and RIS or Voice Recognition System through an application, to create an integrated diagnostic report that correlates radiology and pathology results. In particular it is the correlation of ‘Masses’ ‘Calcifications’ and ‘Laterality’ in BI-RADS and ‘Histologic Type’, ‘ Microcalcifications’ and ‘Specimen Laterality’ within the CAP Cancer Protocols that is required as part of an integrated diagnostic report to confirm diagnosis.

Proposed Data Element Mapping
BIRADS Mammography CAP Invasive Breast Biopsy Equivalent Cardinality Mammography Response CAP Invasive Breast Biopsy Response Notes
Masses Histologic Type Histologic Type ; Related to Masses 1..* May be valuable as a description of mass Shape: Round, Margin: Microlobulated, Density: Equal Density Invasive lobular carcinoma
Calcifications Microcalcifications Inexact *..1 Comparing presence or not in Pathology. Radiology specifies Suspicious Morphology: Amorphous Distribution: Regional Present in invasive Carcinoma
Laterality Specimen Laterality Equal 1..1 For Quality Check Left Left

XX.4.2.4 Use Case #4: Prostate Rad-Path Concordance

XX.4.2.4.1 Prostate Rad-Path Concordance

In this use case an application extracts data from structured radiology and pathology reports to create an integrated diagnostic report for Prostate lesions.

The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) enables the structured and standardized collection of prostate MRI results and reporting through radiology information systems (RIS) or voice recognition systems.

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) Cancer Protocols for Radical Prostatectomy collect pathologic data in a structured format which is integrated with laboratory information systems.

Data elements important to the diagnosis of Prostate Cancer will be extracted from the LIS, and RIS or voice recognition system through an application, to create an integrated diagnostic report that correlates radiology and pathology results.

Proposed Data Element Mapping
PI-RADS CAP Radical Prostatectomy Protocol Equivalent Cardinality PI-RADS Response CAP Radical Prostatectomy Response
Prostate Size Prostate Size: Size (centimeters) Equal 1..1 4.0 x 4.0 x 5.0 L x W x H cm for 42 cubic cm, PSA density 0.29 ng/mL/mL 4.0 cm x 4.0 cm x 5.0 cm
Lesion Size Tumor size (dominant nodule, if present): Equivalent 1..1 1.1 x 0.7 cm 100mm
Tumor Location Location of dominant nodule Equivalent 1..1 Right midgland transition zone anterior (RM-TZa) on series 5 image 16, axial T2 N/A
Extracapsular extension Extraprostatic Extension (EPE) Equal 1..1 No Involvement Not Identified
Seminal vesicle invasion Seminal Vesicle Invasion Equal 1..1 Not Involved Not Identified

XX.4.2.5 Use Case #5: Thyroid Rad-Path Concordance

XX.4.2.5.1 Thyroid Rad-Path Concordance

In this use case an application extracts data from structured radiology and pathology reports to create an integrated diagnostic report for Thyroid tumors.

The Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) enables the structured and standardized collection of Ultrasound results and reporting through radiology information systems (RIS) or voice recognition systems.

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) ‘Protocol for Examination of Specimens from Patients with Carcinomas of the Thyroid Gland’ collect pathologic data in a structured format which is integrated with laboratory information systems.

Data elements important to the diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer will be extracted from the LIS, and RIS or Voice Recognition System through an application, to create an integrated diagnostic report that correlates radiology and pathology results. In particular it is the correlation of ‘Shape’ and ‘Margin’ in TI-RADS and ‘Tumor Size’ and ‘Margins’ and within the CAP Cancer Protocols that is required as part of an integrated diagnostic report to confirm diagnosis.

XX.5 RPC Security Considerations

PaLM defines a number of security considerations. Implementers are expected to follow all security best practices in order to safeguard patient data. See PaLM Security Environment Considerations in PaLM TF-1: Appendix A. See ATNA Security considerations in ITI TF-1: 9.5 See IUA Security considerations in ITI IUA Supplement Section TF-1: 34.5

XX.6 RPC Cross-Profile Considerations

XX.6.1 SDC - Structured Data Capture

A Form Filler may be grouped with a Content Creator to push data to a Content Consumer. A Form Filler would generate structured data which is capable of being transformed to a FHIR message compliant with this profile.

XX.6.2 APSR - Anatomic Pathology Structured Report

An APSR Content Creator may create content that an RPC Content Creator can send to an RPC Content Consumer. The APSR content could be structured in a FHIR message much like the data captured by an SDC Form Filler.