QIM19-138: Care Coordination Between Prescribers and the Specialty Pharmacy—Qualitative Insights Into Designing a Quality Improvement Program for Multisite Community Oncology Practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3.5) ◽  
pp. QIM19-138
Author(s):  
Stacey W. MucCullough ◽  
David Blaisdell ◽  
Jonathan K. Kish ◽  
Pat Farmer ◽  
JaLyna Laney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Care Coordination ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Community Practice ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Community Oncology ◽  
Specialty Pharmacy ◽  
The Impact

Background: There is 1 multiple myeloma (MM) quality metric available (treatment with bisphosphonates, developed by the American Society of Hematology) to evaluate the quality of cancer care delivered to improve patient experience and outcomes. As many community practices integrate specialty pharmacy (SP) services into their practice, patient education, treatment adherence, and visit scheduling coordination are becoming increasingly complex, particularly for treatments with Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) programs. We sought to understand the fundamental challenges facing a multisite community oncology practice undergoing SP centralization to identify potential quality gaps for patients with MM. Methods: Structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with physicians treating the highest volume of MM patients across 5 different urban and rural sites of a single multisite community practice. The interviews covered 6 domains: access to care or clinical advice/communication (ACC/AC); care coordination (CC); disease management for MM (DMMM); patient education (PE); medication management (MedMgmt); and data and quality improvement (DQI). Results: Five providers treating 304 MM patients from January 2016 through April 2018 identified several key issues related to the interaction between the SP and clinical sites: ACC/AC, coordination of efforts to ensure patient affordability of both oral/intravenous components; CC, centralize pharmacy workflow processes (specifically REMS enrollment) to ensure timely receipt of medication (high priority); DMMM/PE, inconsistent patient education regarding the role of the centralized pharmacy in the REMS programs, side-effect management, and intent of therapy; MedMgmt, limited concern/understanding of the impact of oral therapy adherence; DQI, no set standards for MM-specific quality measures for benchmarking performance between SP and practices. Conclusions: This qualitative survey identified several areas for improving MM-related quality of care in terms of the relationship between a centralized SP and satellite offices. To address these themes, the practice further integrated licensed practical nurses into the SP. Additionally, 2 quality improvement measurement opportunities were proposed: (1) measuring adherence using pharmacy refill data and (2) overall treatment delay (number of days from prescribing to pick-up/ship to patient).

scholarly journals Facilitating Team-Based Care Coordination and Collaboration in Myelofibrosis: Findings from a Quality Improvement Study in Three US Community Oncology Systems

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 32-33
Author(s):  
Srdan Verstovsek ◽  
Anne Jacobson ◽  
Jeffrey D Carter ◽  
Tamar Sapir
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Care Coordination ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Patient Centered Care ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Community Oncology ◽  
Centered Care

Background Care coordination can be especially challenging in the setting of rare malignancies such as myelofibrosis (MF), where hematology/oncology teams have limited experience working together to implement rapidly evolving standards of care. In this quality improvement (QI) initiative, we assessed barriers to patient-centered MF care in 3 community oncology systems and conducted team-based audit-feedback (AF) sessions within each system to facilitate improved care coordination. Methods Between 1/2020 and 3/2020, 31 hematology/oncology healthcare professionals (HCPs) completed surveys designed to characterize self-reported practice patterns, challenges, and barriers to collaborative MF care in 3 community oncology systems (Table 1). Building on findings from the team-based surveys, 39 HCPs from these centers participated in AF sessions to reflect on their own practice patterns and to prioritize areas for improved MF care delivery. Participants developed team-based action plans to overcome identified challenges, including barriers to effective risk stratification, care coordination, and shared decision-making (SDM) for patients with MF. Surveys conducted before and after the small-group AF sessions evaluated changes in participants' beliefs and confidence in delivering collaborative, patient-centered MF care. Results Team-Based Surveys: HCPs identified managing MF-associated anemia and other disease symptoms (42%), providing individualized care despite highly variable clinical presentations (29%), and developing institutional expertise despite low patient numbers (16%) as the most pressing challenges in MF care. For patients who are candidates for JAK inhibitor therapy, HCPs reported most commonly relying on current guidelines (71%) and clinical evidence (61%) to guide treatment selection. HCPs also considered drug safety/tolerability profiles (55%), personal or institutional experience (13%), and out-of-pocket costs for patients (13%); no participants (0%) reported incorporating patient preference into their decision-making. Teams were underutilizing SDM and patient-centered care resources; fewer than 50% reported providing tools to support adherence (48%), visual aids for patient education (47%), financial toxicity counseling (40%), resources for managing MF-related fatigue (36%), or counseling to reduce risk factors for CVD, bleeding, and thrombosis (26%). Small-Group AF Sessions: Across the 3 oncology centers, teams participating in the AF sessions (Table 1) shared a self-reported caseload of 97 patients with MF per month. HCPs reported a meaningful shift in beliefs regarding the importance of collaborative care: following the AF sessions, 100% of HCPs agreed or strongly agreed that collaboration across the extended oncology care team is essential for achieving MF treatment goals, an increase from 71% prior to the AF sessions (Figure 1). Participants also reported increased confidence in their ability to perform each of 6 aspects of evidence-based, collaborative, patient-centered care (Figure 2). In selecting which aspects of patient-centered care to address with their clinical teams, HCPs most commonly prioritized individualizing treatment decision-making based on patient- and disease-related factors (57%), followed by providing adequate patient education about treatment options and potential side effects (24%) and engaging patients in SDM (18%). To achieve these goals, 73% of HCPs committed to sharing their action plans with additional clinical team members; others committed to creating a quality task force to oversee action-plan implementation (15%) and securing buy-in from leadership and stakeholders (9%). Conclusions As a result of participating in this community-based QI initiative, hematology/oncology HCPs demonstrated increased confidence in their ability to deliver patient-centered MF care and improved commitment to team-based collaboration. Remaining practice gaps and challenges can inform future QI programs. Study Sponsor Statement The study reported in this abstract was funded by an independent educational grant from Incyte Corporation. The grantors had no role in the study design, execution, analysis, or reporting. Disclosures Verstovsek: ItalPharma: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma Corp: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy, Research Funding; PharmaEssentia: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines Corp: Research Funding; Protagonist Therapeutics: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Engaging community pharmacists in quality improvement (QI): a qualitative case study of a partnership between a Higher Education Institute and Local Pharmaceutical Committees

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e001047
Author(s):  
Asam Latif ◽  
Nargis Gulzar ◽  
Fiona Lowe ◽  
Theo Ansong ◽  
Sejal Gohil
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Educational Institute ◽  
Collaboration And Communication ◽  
Improve Service Quality ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundQuality improvement (QI) involves the use of systematic tools and methods to improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients. However, awareness and application of QI among healthcare professionals is poor and new strategies are needed to engage them in this area.ObjectivesThis study describes an innovative collaboration between one Higher Educational Institute (HEI) and Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs) to develop a postgraduate QI module aimed to upskill community pharmacists in QI methods. The study explores pharmacist engagement with the learning and investigates the impact on their practice.MethodsDetails of the HEI–LPCs collaboration and communication with pharmacist were recorded. Focus groups were held with community pharmacists who enrolled onto the module to explore their motivation for undertaking the learning, how their knowledge of QI had changed and how they applied this learning in practice. A constructivist qualitative methodology was used to analyse the data.ResultsThe study found that a HEI–LPC partnership was feasible in developing and delivering the QI module. Fifteen pharmacists enrolled and following its completion, eight took part in one of two focus groups. Pharmacists reported a desire to extend and acquire new skills. The HEI–LPC partnership signalled a vote of confidence that gave pharmacists reassurance to sign up for the training. Some found returning to academia challenging and reported a lack of time and organisational support. Despite this, pharmacists demonstrated an enhanced understanding of QI, were more analytical in their day-to-day problem-solving and viewed the learning as having a positive impact on their team’s organisational culture with potential to improve service quality for patients.ConclusionsWith the increased adoption of new pharmacist’s roles and recent changes to governance associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, a HEI–LPC collaborative approach could upskill pharmacists and help them acquire skills to accommodate new working practices.

scholarly journals Baseline Quality-of-Care Data From a Quality-Improvement Program Implemented by a Network of Diabetes Outpatient Clinics

Diabetes Care ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 2166-2168 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C.E. Rossi ◽  
A. Nicolucci ◽  
A. Arcangeli ◽  
A. Cimino ◽  
G. De Bigontina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Quality Improvement Program ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Improvement Program

scholarly journals The Impact of Patient Education with a Smartphone Application on the Quality of Bowel Preparation for Screening Colonoscopy

2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 479-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
JeongHyeon Cho ◽  
SeungHee Lee ◽  
Jung A Shin ◽  
Jeong Ho Kim ◽  
Hong Sub Lee
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Bowel Preparation ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Screening Colonoscopy ◽  
The Impact

Reporting Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Denominator Matters

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 635-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc-Oliver Wright ◽  
Maureen Kharasch ◽  
Jennifer L. Beaumont ◽  
Lance R. Peterson ◽  
Ari Robicsek
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Quality Improvement Initiative ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Nursing Unit ◽  
Accepted Practice ◽  
Device Associated Infection ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
The Impact

Objective.To evaluate two different methods of measuring catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates in the setting of a quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing device utilization.Design, Setting, and Patients.Comparison of CAUTI measurements in the context of a before-after trial of acute care adult admissions to a multicentered healthcare system.Methods.CAUTIs were identified with an automated surveillance system, and device-days were measured through an electronic health record. Traditional surveillance measures of CAUTI rates per 1,000 device-days (R1) were compared with CAUTI rates per 10,000 patient-days (R2) before (T1) and after (T2) an intervention aimed at reducing catheter utilization.Results.The device-utilization ratio declined from 0.36 to 0.28 between T1 and T2 (P< .001), while infection rates were significantly lower when measured by R2 (28.2 vs 23.2, P = .02). When measured by R1, however, infection rates trended upward by 6% (7.79 vs. 8.28, P = .47), and at the nursing unit level, reduction in device utilization was significantly associated with increases in infection rate.Conclusions.The widely accepted practice of using device-days as a method of risk adjustment to calculate device-associated infection rates may mask the impact of a successful quality improvement program and reward programs not actively engaged in reducing device usage.

The Impact of Pharmacist-Directed Patient Education and Anticoagulant Care Coordination on Patient Satisfaction

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 805-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T Makowski ◽  
Douglas L Jennings ◽  
Carrie W Nemerovski ◽  
Edward G Szandzik ◽  
James S Kalus
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Care Coordination ◽  
The Impact

Abstract WP266: EMS/Hospital Combined Education Decreased Primary Stroke Center Bypass

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P Stopyra ◽  
Myron Waddell ◽  
Emily B Parks
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Service Area ◽  
Education Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Intervention Phase ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Historically, community hospitals have had few options for meaningful treatment of patients presenting with acute stroke. As expertise grows in the administration of thrombolytics, primary stroke centers (PSC) fulfill an important role in the reduction of morbidity and mortality related to stroke. It is important for the PSC to partner with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to change historical perceptions of the quality of PSC care. Education may improve teamwork and increase awareness of the PSC, thereby increasing their utilization in EMS disposition decisions. Objective: The objective of this study is to report the impact of an education intervention on PSC bypass decisions. Methods: The electronic patient care record database from a North Carolina county EMS system was queried as a quality improvement analysis from January 1, 2012 to February 28, 2016. This included 19 months prior to the education intervention, the year during the education intervention, and 19 months after the education intervention. All primary patient transports with Stroke/CVA, or suspected TIA as the primary or secondary impression were included. Interfacility transports were excluded. The recorded call location was determined to either be inside or outside the PSC service area. The hospital the patient was transported to was also recorded. Results: During the pre-intervention phase 222 patients were identified, 48 of which originated in the PSC service area. Of those 48 patients, 16 bypassed the PSC (33.3%). In the post-intervention phase, 94 of 269 total patients were in PSC service area. Only 12 bypasses occurred (12.8%) which is a reduction of 61.7% in PSC bypass compared to the pre-intervention phase. Conclusion: The period following a combined hospital/EMS educational intervention showed significant reduction in PSC bypass.

Abstract 186: Improving Identification and Assessment of Readmission Risk for Acute Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure Patients Following Implementation of a National Quality Improvement Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ty J Gluckman ◽  
Nancy M Albert ◽  
Robert L McNamara ◽  
Gregg C Fonarow ◽  
Adnan Malik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Patient Level ◽  
Transition Care ◽  
National Quality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Readmission Risk

Background: Optimal transition care represents an important step in mitigating the risk of early hospital readmission. For many hospitals, however, resources are not available to support transition care processes, and hospitals may not be able to identify patients in greatest need. It remains unknown whether a coordinated quality improvement campaign could help to increase a) identification of at-risk patients and b) use of a readmission risk score to identify patients needing extra services/resources. Methods: The American College of Cardiology Patient Navigator Program was designed as a 2-year (2015-2017) quality improvement campaign to assess the impact of transition-care interventions on transition care performance metrics for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF) at 35 acute care hospitals. All sites were active participants in the NCDR ACTION Registry. Facilities were free to choose their transition care priorities, with at least 3 goals established at baseline. Pre-discharge identification of AMI and HF patients and assessment of their respective readmission risk were 4 of the 36 metrics tracked quarterly. Performance reports were provided regularly to the individual institutions. Sharing of best practices was actively encouraged through webinars, a listserv, and an online dashboard with display of blinded performance for all 35 hospitals. Results: At baseline, 31% (11/35) and 23% (8/35) of facilities did not have a process for prospectively identifying AMI and HF patients, respectively. At 2 years, the rate of not having processes decreased to 8% (3/35) and 3% (1/35), respectively. Among hospitals able to identify AMI and HF patients, there was high patient-level identification performance from the outset (91% for AMI and 86% for HF at baseline), with added improvement over 2 years (+2.2% for AMI and +9.3% for HF). At baseline, processes to assess readmission risk for AMI and HF patients were only completed by 26% (9/35) and 31% (11/35) of facilities, respectively. At 2 years, AMI and HF readmission risk assessment rose to 80% (28/35) and 86% (30/35), respectively. Similar improvements were noted at the patient-level, with 34% (52% --> 86%) and 16% (75% --> 91%) absolute 2-year increases in the percentage of AMI and HF patients undergoing assessment of readmission risk, respectively. Conclusions: Implementation of a quality improvement campaign focused on care transition can substantially improve prospective identification of AMI and HF patients and assessment of their readmission risk. It remains to be determined whether process improvement lead to reduction in 30-day readmission and/or improvement in other clinically important outcome measures.

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