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Implementing Radiation Oncology Care Plans as a foundation for process improvement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2015

Edwin H. Chan ,
Shaziya Malam  and
James Loudon
Edwin H. Chan*
Affiliation:
Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, ON, Canada Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Shaziya Malam
Affiliation:
Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, ON, Canada
James Loudon
Affiliation:
Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, ON, Canada
*
Correspondence to: Edwin H. Chan, Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Southlake Regional Health Centre, 596 Davis Drive, Newmarket, ON, Canada L3Y 2P9. Tel: 1 905 895 4521, ext 2161; E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

At The Radiation Medicine Program described, the entire radiation therapy (RT) workflow was previously conducted through the use of two electronic programs. It duplicated workflow and created a situation where it was difficult to measure the RT process. Recent enhancements to the electronic medical record facilitated the consolidation of RT planning and treatment workflows into one electronic system.

Purpose

This report will describe the clinical implementation of electronic Radiation Oncology (RO) Care Plans at a Regional Cancer Centre, and how they can be applied as a foundation for RT process improvements.

Impact and outcome

A total of 51 Care Plans and 95 IQ Scripts were successfully implemented. The benefits of RO Care Plans include a more streamlined process, removed ambiguity, improved communication, standardised workflow and automation of tasks. In addition, multiple performance indicators can be obtained from the RO Care Plans, such as caseload reports, workflow reports and a ‘white board’.

Conclusion

The implementation of RO Care Plans serves as a foundation for data-driven process improvement at a local Regional Cancer Centre.

Keywords

professional practicequality assuranceradiation therapy workflowsafetystandardisation
Type
Technical Note
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , March 2016 , pp. 91 - 98
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2015 

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