Feasibility of tele-chemotherapy administration to improve access to rural cancer patients.

Abstract

112 Background: Telehealth improves access to cancer care for patients with cancer in rural communities. It allows qualified infusion nurses to administer chemotherapy in smaller rural towns under supervision by health professionals from larger tertiary sites. Here we would like to share our institutional experience in tele-chemotherapy administration to patients in rural Utah. Methods: We collected patient data including treatment regimens administered at our tele health sites from March 2019 to February 2021. Results: A total of 133 unique patients received 1073 cycles of low to intermediate risk treatment regimens. 42 unique regimens including intravenous and oral chemotherapy drugs, immune therapy and targeted drugs were administered at four rural facilities including Cassia Regional Center, Sanpete Valley Hospital, Severe Valley Hospital and Heber Valley Hospital in Utah. 52 physicians located at tertiary sites were involved in tele-chemotherapy administration. In addition to Medicare, Medicaid, the tele chemotherapy was covered by four commercial payers including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Select Health, Tricare and United Healthcare. Conclusions: Tele chemotherapy administration is feasible and allows improved access to cancer patients in rural communities. We aim to expand current project to capture the patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes including treatment delays, dose modifications, infusion reactions, hospitalizations or emergency visits.