A Care Model for Cancer Patients

Saint Anthony Health Center, Alton, Ill., took a hard look at data from its cancer program and found opportunities to improve the efficiency and timeliness of the diagnostic and treatment planning processes. Improvement in timeliness of care leads to better patient outcomes resulting in a healthier population, reduced costs and an improved patient experience—the Triple Aim.

To achieve this, the hospital:

• Allocated two full-time patient navigators to the oncology service line;
• Implemented data monitoring;
• Realigned the patient care processes around the patient (rather than the offices and departments);
• Started daily navigation meetings with senior leadership in order to review status on navigated patients;
• Implemented weekly multidisciplinary conferences for physicians to discuss real-time cases; and
• Improved overall communication among team members and with patients.

As a result of these interventions, the hospital reduced the average detection-to-diagnosis time from 15.7 days to 11.2 days and reduced the average detection-to-treatment time from 47.6 days to 29.6 days. Read the whole case study below (click 'view item').

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care. Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)