Using a disease pathway management (DPM) approach to improve the quality of lung cancer care in Ontario.

Abstract

93 Background: Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) is mandated to oversee quality of cancer care in Ontario and began its Lung Cancer (LC) DPM initiative in 2009. DPM has 4 objectives: align provincial quality improvement (QI) initiatives by disease site; map the patient journey and identify gaps in evidence/quality in clinical practice that impact care or the patient experience; set and manage regional quality indicators across the pathway; and leverage tools to model the impact of policy decisions. Methods: The LC DPM drafted a disease pathway map and established 5 multidisciplinary working groups (WGs) each focussed on a phase of the LC patient journey: prevention, screening, and early diagnosis; diagnosis; treatment; palliative care; the patient experience. WGs held 25 two-hour meetings and developed ideas for 17 QI projects. 8 were selected for discussion at a provincial consensus conference and yielded a Priorities for Action Report. Regional “roadshows” were held in all 14 regions of the province at which region-specific data on incidence, stage at diagnosis, compliance of treatment with guidelines and wait times, amongst other metrics relevant to LC, were shared with the regional care providers. Funding was provided by CCO for regional QI based on the data and identified priorities. Results: Completed diagnostic and treatment pathways are posted on CCO’s website as are educational materials on dyspnea management, including a patient video and a document prepared by patients for patients “Understanding Lung Cancer.” Lung diagnostic assessment units/programs have been initiated in 14 regions. An audit is underway to better understand the barriers to the uniform uptake of evidence-based practices across the province. The percent of LC patients whose symptoms are assessed at least once a month using a standardized symptom assessment instrument (ESAS) has improved. Conclusions: Regional cancer programs are now aware of their performance on a range of LC specific quality metrics. Standardized diagnostic and treatment pathways have been developed and assessment units have been implemented across the province.