Program development through compilation of patient self-reported symptom burden.

Abstract

78 Background: Cancer Treatment Centers of America, (CTCA) is a national network of five hospitals that specialize in the treatment of patients fighting complex or advanced-stage cancer. The Symptom Inventory Tool (SIT) is an assessment tool that captures the patients’ perceived symptom burden for real time clinical intervention and provides longitudinal data to demonstrate how effectively we meet our patient’s needs, from the point of no intervention (baseline) and every 21 days or greater. The SIT is comprised of 27 questions utilizing the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory tool, a validated assessment instrument with 8 questions added and a free text box by CTCA. The SIT became an integral part of patient care at CTCA in September 2012. Methods: A multidisciplinary team convened to evaluate how best to deliver the SIT data to facility leadership to assist with program development. The data needed to perform each calculation was obtained using analytical software that interfaces the database, electronic health record, and cancer registry. A Quality Research Associate prepares the operational summary providing a monthly update for the leadership at each facility with data included for the previous month, cumulatively for the facility, and cumulatively for the network. Results: The summary includes mean time to complete an assessment, assessments by timeframe (i.e. baseline, 2nd, 3rd assessments, etc.), gender and age percentages, and patients categorized by cancer type. The top three average scoring symptoms and interference issues by baseline, 2nd, and 3rd assessment are highlighted along with the top areas of improvement and diminishment in score defined by a change of 2 or more points reflecting clinical relevance. The top areas scored at 8 or greater that improved and the top areas where patients continued to score at 8 or greater on return are presented to focus upon the most severe needs. Graphs and tables are accompanied by explanation. Conclusions: In addition to consistency in presentation of the data across centers, the SIT operational summary provides visibility and insight on key emerging trends. Meaningful discussion of programmatic opportunities for focus on the most problematic and severe symptom by patient group has occurred.