ECO Experts’ consensus on establishing renal cancer healthcare quality measures in Spain.

Abstract

220 Background: The ECO Foundation (Excellence and Quality in Oncology) proposes to establish a set of healthcare quality measures (including indicators and standards) for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of renal cancer in Spain which all healthcare professionals involved can assume, being suitable for implementation in the continuous improvement process of our healthcare system. Methods: a) International literature review on the quality of healthcare in renal cancer; b) multidisciplinary driving group (9 oncologists with expertise in renal cancer plus 2 methodologists) to identify and choose possible quality measures to be applied in Spain; c) global evaluation of the relevance of these measures through experts’ consensus (Delphi modified by a stratified state panel, n = 55 oncologists specialized in renal cancer); d) selection of definitive measures, according to their feasibility and efficiency (information provided/effort in obtaining it) using a quantitative online priority grid; e) standard wording of the chosen measures: definition, indicator, sources of information, exclusions, clarifications, categorization and acceptable standard. Results: The nominal group proposed 43 quality measures for the Delphi panel. Consensus agreement rate = 84.5% (47/55). The professional consensus was reached on 40 measures (4 structural, 33 in healthcare procedures and 3 in clinical results). Therefore, there is a high level of consensus (93%) among Spanish oncologists who specialize in renal cancer on the content of the healthcare quality measures in the management of renal cancer. The final measures were chosen using a high confidence level (95%) in the unanimity of the experts (oncologists in the driving group) for prioritization depending on the feasibility and efficiency in the healthcare system. Finally, 25 measures were chosen (2 structural, 20 in procedures and 3 in results). Conclusions: The level of consensus and prioritization of measures achieved, will most likely translate in a widespread acceptance and viability for implementation in the National Health System. This could provide a valuable tool for quality assessment and equality in the care of renal cancer patients in Spain.