scholarly journals Academic and Community-Based Cancer Centers: it's an Uncertain World and the Journal of Oncology Practice Will Follow it Closely

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-36
Author(s):  
S. M. Silver ◽  
M. Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
Community Based ◽  
Cancer Centers ◽  
Oncology Practice

scholarly journals Morbidity and Mortality Revisited: Applying a New Quality Improvement Paradigm in Oncology

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e428-e433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel G. Stover ◽  
Jessica A. Zerillo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cancer Centers ◽  
Oncology Practice

Using a quality improvement (QI) paradigm, the authors conducted 11 multidisciplinary conferences throughout 2013-2014 at two tertiary academic cancer centers and a satellite community-based oncology practice. They present their approach including key components and an example case.

Utilizing QOPI in the quality improvement efforts of the NCI Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP).

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 208-208
Author(s):  
Robert D. Siegel ◽  
Holley Stallings ◽  
Donna M. Bryant ◽  
Pamela Kadlubek ◽  
Laurel Borowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
New England ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Quality Initiatives ◽  
Cancer Centers ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Oncology Practice

208 Background: The NCCCP is a network of community based institutions from New England to Hawaii funded by the NCI. Quality of care is a priority of the NCCCP with participation in ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) playing a fundamental role. QOPI provides a process for quality assessment but we have also used it as a measure of quality improvement (QI) network-wide. Using QOPI methodology, we have analyzed our performance twice a year in an effort to enhance our implementation of quality indicators relevant to program aims. Methods: A data sharing agreement allows individual practice QOPI data to be electronically sent to the NCI where it is aggregated with the other NCCCP QOPI participants. Data are presented via webinar within the network using a variety of QI strategies. For example, blinded site performance distributions are benchmarked against NCCCP national averages on specific indicators. High performing practices voluntarily present their QI initiatives and best practices to the network. The NCCCP Quality of Care Subcommittee then selects QI projects and areas to focus quality improvement efforts. Results: In Spring 2012, 44 practices affiliated with 25 NCCCP sites participated in QOPI, a consistent pattern since Fall 2010. The table below describes the percent compliance with certain QOPI measures for the NCCCP aggregate over time. Selected measures were perceived as having had suboptimal compliance in Fall 2010. Conclusions: QOPI is an effective tool for assessing quality within a network and for measuring quality improvement efforts. Best practices from within the network can be leveraged and disseminated to enhance the quality of cancer care. This methodology facilitates quality initiatives despite the logistical challenges of working with practices across the country. [Table: see text]

Implementing Precision Medicine Programs and Clinical Trials in the Community-Based Oncology Practice: Barriers and Best Practices

2018 ◽  
pp. 188-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Ersek ◽  
Lora J. Black ◽  
Michael A. Thompson ◽  
Edward S. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Precision Medicine ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Precision Oncology ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Molecular Tests ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Oncology Practice

There has been a rapid uptick in the pace of oncology precision medicine advancements over the past several decades as a result of increasingly sophisticated technology and the ability to study more patients through innovative trial designs. As more precision oncology approaches are developed, the need for precision medicine trials is increasing in the community setting, where most patients with cancer are treated. However, community-based practices, as well as some academic centers, may face unique barriers to implementing precision medicine programs and trials within their communities. Such challenges include understanding the tissue needs of molecular tests (e.g., tumor, blood), identifying which molecular tests are best used and when tissue should be tested, interpreting the test results and determining actionability, understanding the role of genetic counseling and/or follow-up testing, determining clinical trial eligibility, and assessing patient attitudes and financial concerns. The purpose of this article is to provide guidance to community-based oncology practices currently conducting clinical trials who want to expand their research program to include precision medicine trials. Here, we describe the core components of precision medicine programs and offer best practices for successful implementation of precision medicine trials in community-based practices.

Supportive Oncology Collaborative: Initial impact of supportive oncology screening and care.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 180-180
Author(s):  
Shelly S. Lo ◽  
Lauren Allison Wiebe ◽  
Catherine Deamant ◽  
Amy Scheu ◽  
Betty Roggenkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Institute Of Medicine ◽  
Collaborative Approach ◽  
National Quality Forum ◽  
Cancer Centers ◽  
National Quality ◽  
Oncology Care ◽  
Supportive Oncology ◽  
Oncology Practice

180 Background: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2013 report recommends supportive oncology care from diagnosis through survivorship, to end of life. The Coleman Supportive Oncology Collaborative (CSOC) developed a city-wide plan to improve supportive oncology. Metrics derived from the Commission on Cancer (CoC), ASCO Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (ASCO-QOPI) and National Quality Forum (NQF) were used to assess the CSOC impact. Methods: Medical records of consecutive cancer patients from 6 practice improvement cancer centers in Chicago (3 academic, 2 safety-net, 1 public) were reviewed for 2 periods: 2014 (n = 843) and Q1 of 2015 (n = 313). Descriptive statistics assessed differences in quality metrics. Results: Significant improvement was achieved in 6 of 8 core supportive oncology metrics (see table). Conclusions: Consolidated metrics are feasible to assess supportive oncology quality. Early data indicate improvement and effectiveness of the collaborative approach. [Table: see text]

Hospitalization rates related to coordinated home healthcare services with a community oncology practice.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (27_suppl) ◽  
pp. 273-273
Author(s):  
John F. Sandbach ◽  
John Bachelor ◽  
Kimberly Larson ◽  
Denize Jordan ◽  
Janet Mullins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Medical Oncology ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Home Healthcare ◽  
Oncology Patients ◽  
Cancer Centers ◽  
Avoidable Hospitalizations ◽  
Hospitalization Rates ◽  
Oncology Practice

273 Background: Unplanned hospital admissions or hospital re-admissions in cancer patients after discharge cost in excess of 16 billion dollars. Oncology patients are a very high risk of hospitalization despite the involvement of a home healthcare agency. The 30-day medical oncology re-hospitalization rates are reported to be 21.6%. Unplanned hospitalization rates in selected oncology patients over a 12 month period have been reported to be as high as 58%. Methods: A large home health agency and a community based medical oncology practice created a delivery model referred to as the Advanced Community Care Model (ACCM). We are reporting our initial 14 month experience. The initial pilot involved three of the medical group’s six cancer centers. The ACCM created standing intervention orders regarding hydration, nausea/vomiting, central line management, antiemetic and diarrhea and a continuum of monthly management meetings with the agency and the practice. Navigation services by a designated RN were provided. Enhanced interventions with either telephone communication or home visits took place when deemed appropriate. Results: ACCM impacted 60-day hospitalization rates fell a baseline at 6 months into the program from 43% to 22% by the end of the 18 month pilot. Avoidable hospitalizations and re-hospitalizations related to N/V, pain, SOB and infection were less than 10%. The initial program has involved 310 unique patients. Conclusions: The reduction in the 60 day hospitalization rates and the low hospitalization and re-hospitalization rates related to pain control, infection, SOB and infection were below published national averages. The results were felt to be encouraging and the ACCM will be expanded to involve all 7 cancer centers in the practice.

Measuring chemotherapy safety in a community oncology practice: Results of a three-year prospective study

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6019-6019
Author(s):  
J. O. Jacobson ◽  
M. K. Krzyzanowska ◽  
J. H. Schwartz ◽  
B. Maloney ◽  
A. Lavino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Severe Toxicity ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Chemotherapy Administration ◽  
Oncology Practice

6019 Background: Chemotherapy administration is associated with a risk for severe toxicity and mortality. Limited data are available to assess these risks outside of clinical trials or administrative databases. We sought to determine the risk of chemotherapy administration in a community-based oncology practice, to identify potential risk factors, and to look for trends over time. Methods: The North Shore Medical Center Cancer Center (NSCC) is a community-based cancer facility in Peabody, MA. In 1/03, we began a prospective study to identify and categorize all adult patients admitted to hospital with severe chemotherapy toxicity and to compare them to all chemotherapy recipients. Consecutive cases admitted to hospital from NSCC were reviewed in a monthly multidisciplinary peer review meeting. Admissions deemed to be treatment-related were entered into a toxicity database. Results: Between 1/1/03 and 11/30/05, 2206 courses of chemotherapy were administered to 1574 patients resulting in 12,380 treatment-months of therapy. 162 patients required 174 hospital admissions, for an annualized risk of treatment-related hospitalization (TRH) of 16.6% and a mean length of stay of 7.0 days. Mean age of cases was similar for those admitted for toxicity compared to all chemotherapy patients (65.3 versus 64.6 yrs.). GI toxicity and infection (principally fever and neutropenia) accounted for 77% of TRH. Between 2003 and 2005, the risk of a TRH declined for colorectal cancer cases while it increased for breast cancer and lung cancer cases. There were 14 treatment-related deaths (TRD) for an annualized risk of 1.1%. TRD’s were infectious in 9, GI in 4 and cardiac in 1. Median age was 67, similar to the entire cohort. TRD occurred early (median 28 days from the inception of chemotherapy, range 1–120 days). Significant comorbidity was identifiable in 12 of 14 cases. 10 of 14 cases were being treated palliatively. Conclusions: These prospectively collected data confirm that chemotherapy administration in a community-based practice can be associated with a low risk of severe toxicity and a very low risk of mortality. TRH and TRD could become standard measures of quality care for cancer facilities. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Driving improvement in oncofertility.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 183-183
Author(s):  
Shelby Darland ◽  
Jennifer N. Eichmeyer ◽  
Kelli Christiaens ◽  
Kallie Penchansky ◽  
Michele Betts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Support Staff ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Patient Identification ◽  
Cancer Centers ◽  
Process Implementation ◽  
Chart Audits ◽  
American Society ◽  
Oncology Practice

183 Background: In 2006 the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommended that oncologists discuss infertility as a result of cancer treatment with patients of reproductive age and provide referrals to specialists as needed. Despite these guidelines the majority of cancer centers are not in compliance. Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI) piloted a process to improve quality of oncofertility preservation (OP) through identification, documentation, and referral to reproductive specialists. Methods: A physician survey in 2010 indicated that perceived barriers to OP discussion were a lack of accessible materials as well as oversight on the part of the provider. Random chart audits of the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) measures (infertility risks discussed prior to treatment and fertility preservation options discussed/referral to a specialist) occurred biannually at that time. To increase awareness of the data chart audits and reporting shifted to quarterly and included all patients that met OP criteria. Additionally, a committee was formed in 2011 to develop patient/provider packets, collaborate with the local reproductive specialists, and create an OP process. The committee established an OP algorithm involving support staff to flag patients of reproductive age at initial medical oncology consultation and utilizing genetic counselors (GC) and social workers (SW) to expedite and facilitate referrals to reproductive specialists. GC/SW were chosen due to sensitivity with psychosocial issues and to share the additional workload. The OP program was launched in October of 2012. Results: Baseline assessment in 2009 revealed MSTI was compliant 6% and 6%. Six months after program initiation the OP measures improved to 47% and 45% respectively. Notably March and April 2013 showed dramatic improvements with 100% and 75% compliance for both OP measures. Conclusions: It is well known that OP has been a challenge for many cancer centers. This multipronged approach is an example of a novel process implementation that demonstrated significant improvement with the QOPI oncofertility measures. Continued work is needed on improving physician documentation and consistency of OP patient identification.

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