1035 / 1096
S1019
ESTRO 36
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Finland
2
Turku University Hospital, Centre for Clinical
Inrformatics, Turku, Finland
3
Turku University Hospital, Centre for Clinical
Informatics, Turku, Finland
4
University of Turku, Preventive Health Care, Turku,
Finland
Purpose or Objective
Access to care can have a major impact on cancer care
outcomes. Therefore hospitals should provide sufficiently
rapid access and information of the time to support
patients’ decision making of treatment unit. The follow up
data of the access to care for patients is also a criterion
of qualitative cancer care defined by Organization of
European Cancer Institute (OECI). The aim was first to
describe how a gynecological (gyn) and breast cancer (bc)
patient's access to care during their care pathway has
occurred in Turku University Hospital (Tyks) Cancer Centre
after receiving an admission note and secondly submit it
to the electronic portrayal of patient care pathway for
patients.
Material and Methods
The study was carried out VIII / 2015 - IX / 2016 in clinical
information service unit and treatment units in Turku
University Hospital (Tyks) in Finland. The target group was
gyn (N=1549) and bc (N=945) patients starting their first
cancer treatment. The data collection method was a
retrospective registry study. The dates of appointments,
phone calls, multidisciplinary meetings, treatment
decisions and periods (surgery, radiotherapy,
chemotherapy, other treatments) were carried out from
WebMarela, Oberon and Aria information system entries.
Access to care was analyzed from the admission note to
the first treatment unit and to other care contact days.
The results were analyzed by statistical methods (the
mean time and the standard deviation figures). The
accuracy of the results was verified by obtaining a review
of experts from treatment units. The recommended time
of access to cancer care of Ministry of Social Affairs and
Health in Finland were taken into consideration. Results
were presented quarterly and linked electrically internet
sites to the portrayal of patient care pathway for patients.
Results
In total, access time for gyn patients (n=331) from the first
admission note to first treatment unit (gyn surgery
outpatient clinic) contact (first appointment) was 11 days
(mean; quarterly range 10-12) and to surgery 28 days
(mean;
quarterly
range
24-35)
or
to
radiotherapy/chemotherapy 41 days (mean, quarterly
range 39-43). Access time for bc patients (n=661) from
the first admission note to first treatment unit (breast
surgery outpatient clinic) contact (phone call) was 4 days
(mean, quarterly range 2-5), to appointment 14 days
(mean; quarterly range 10-15) and to surgery 27 days
(mean; quarterly range 21-33) or to
radiotherapy/chemotherapy 20 days (mean; n=1).
Guarterly, access to care for gyn patients was highest at
second quarter 2015 and 2016, and for bc patients
increased linearly from first quarter 2015 to third quarter
2016. The increase was not depend on number of patients.
Conclusion
A retrospective registry study could produce up to date
information of cancer patients’ access to care. It also
might increase patients’ knowledge of access to care
during the care pathway. Further definition models should
be produced of variables for management and the
development of the cancer care.