Enhanced PAtient Clinical Streamlining (EPACS): Quality Initiative to Improve Healthcare for New Surgical Outpatient Visits
- 05.01.2022
- Global Health Services Research
Erschienen in:
- Verfasst von
- Elvira L. Vos, MD
- Jessica S. Cho, BA
- Joseph Schmeltz, BA
- Nick Teri, MS
- Ethel B. Law, MSN
- Kathleen Paisley, MPAS
- Aaron Begue, MSN
- Helen Loumeau, MSN
- Sherri H. Suozzo, MSN, PhD
- Latasha Anderson-Dunkley, MSN
- Ginger J. Gardner, MD
- Elizabeth Jewell, MD, MHSc
- Samuel Singer, MD
- Nadeem Abu-Rustum, MD
- William R. Jarnagin, MD
- Julio Garcia Aguilar, MD, PhD
- Jeffrey Drebin, MD
- Vivian E. Strong, MD
- Erschienen in
- Annals of Surgical Oncology | Ausgabe 3/2022
Abstract
Purpose
For patients who select a specialty hospital for cancer treatment, the wait time until the initial consultation leaves patients anxious and delays treatment. To improve quality of care, we implemented an enhanced patient clinical streamlining (EPACS) process that establishes an early connection and coordinates care before the first surgical outpatient visit at our specialty cancer center.
Methods
During a pre-visit EPACS phone call to new patients, an advanced practice provider (APP) collected medical history and ordered work-up tests or consultations if feasible. First visit cancellation rate, number of patients who started treatment, time to start of treatment, and satisfaction by the care team and patient were compared between patients treated with versus without EPACS.
Results
Among 5062 consecutive new patients, 720 (14%) received an EPACS call and 4342 did not (86%); work-up was ordered pre-visit in 34% and 16%, respectively. Fewer EPACS patients cancelled the first visit (4.6% vs. 12%, p < 0.001), more started treatment (55% vs. 50%, p = 0.037), and their time to treatment was shorter, but not significantly (median 17 vs. 19 days, p = 0.086). Patient interaction was considered to be improved by EPACS by 17 of 17 APPs and 14 of 16 surgeons, and outpatient clinic efficiency by 14 of 17 APPs and 13 of 16 surgeons. EPACS reduced anxiety and increased preparedness for the first visit in 29 of 31 patients.
Conclusions
EPACS improved effectiveness, timeliness, and physician and patient satisfaction with health care at our cancer center.
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- Titel
- Enhanced PAtient Clinical Streamlining (EPACS): Quality Initiative to Improve Healthcare for New Surgical Outpatient Visits
- Verfasst von
-
Elvira L. Vos, MD
Jessica S. Cho, BA
Joseph Schmeltz, BA
Nick Teri, MS
Ethel B. Law, MSN
Kathleen Paisley, MPAS
Aaron Begue, MSN
Helen Loumeau, MSN
Sherri H. Suozzo, MSN, PhD
Latasha Anderson-Dunkley, MSN
Ginger J. Gardner, MD
Elizabeth Jewell, MD, MHSc
Samuel Singer, MD
Nadeem Abu-Rustum, MD
William R. Jarnagin, MD
Julio Garcia Aguilar, MD, PhD
Jeffrey Drebin, MD
Vivian E. Strong, MD
- Publikationsdatum
- 05.01.2022
- Verlag
- Springer International Publishing
- Erschienen in
-
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Ausgabe 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Elektronische ISSN: 1534-4681 - DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-021-11126-3
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