Same-Day Access for Head and Neck Cancer: Effect on Patient Outcome and Quality-Related Benchmarks
Delays in cancer treatment are detrimental across nearly every disease site in oncology including head and neck cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of same-day access for patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer referred for radiation therapy consultation. From March 2021 to Ma...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Patient Experience |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735251314652 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Delays in cancer treatment are detrimental across nearly every disease site in oncology including head and neck cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of same-day access for patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer referred for radiation therapy consultation. From March 2021 to March 2023, a total of 50 consecutive patients who completed curative treatment were matched to a control subject who did not use the same-day initiative based on age, gender, histology, performance status, primary tumor site, stage, p16 status, treatment, and smoking history. With a median follow up of 30 months, there were no differences in 3-year overall survival, progression-free survival, or local-regional control between the 2 cohorts ( P > .05, for all). However, the same-day access initiative was associated with significant reductions in time from diagnosis to first day of radiation (49 days vs 71 days, P < .001); time from diagnosis to completion of diagnostic work-up (32 days vs 43 days, P = .01); and time from diagnosis to completion of all treatment (91 days vs 111 days, P < .001).The same-day access initiative was associated with significant reductions in time from diagnosis to first day of radiation (49 days vs 71 days, P < .001); time from diagnosis to completion of diagnostic work-up (32 days vs 43 days, P = .01); and time from diagnosis to completion of all treatment (91 days vs 111 days, P < .001). The same-day access initiative thus enhanced multidisciplinary coordination and expedited treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2374-3743 |