Two poster presentations offer improved quality of care and a better patient experience
The Woodlands, Texas (October 14, 2014) — Two abstracts submitted by clinicians and practice representatives affiliated with The US Oncology Network will be presented during the 2014 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Quality Care Symposium being held Oct. 17-18 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, Mass. The inclusion of these abstracts is a reflection of The US Oncology Network’s commitment to quality enhancement programs and their implementation across community oncology practices in The Network. The ASCO Quality Care Symposium brings together leaders in the expanding fields of health services research and quality initiatives.
Melissa Jameson, RN, BSN, OCN, manager of operations for Innovent Oncology, a program supported by The US Oncology Network, is the lead author of the abstract titled, Initiating a structured advance cancer planning (ACP) process within a telephonic disease management model. Jameson’s presentation is on Saturday, October 18 and will take an in-depth look at the vital topic of advance care planning and how a structured ACP program can be incorporated within the scope of disease management services.
“When patients with chronic illness begin to experience an enduring decline in health, it becomes increasingly difficult to think about and discuss preferences for end-of-life care,” said Jameson. “All too often, this kind of discussion is not had due to other priorities within a busy clinical appointment. This poster offers an alternative advance care planning discussion method which enables the conversation about end-of-life care preferences to begin early and grow in a non-threatening way.”
Additionally, this abstract is one of only ten posters selected for the symposium’s Audio Poster Tour in which select posters are discussed, explaining their significance, strengths and take-home points. Meeting attendees can download the file on-site and go on self-guided tours of the poster room while listening to the recording.
“Being chosen for the audio tour shows that ASCO understands the importance of the ACP process being incorporated within the scope of patient care. It is exciting to share with the oncology community the success brought about through our unique method of beginning the discussion of advance care planning,” said Cynthia Taniguchi, RN, BSN, OCN, abstract co-author and manager of My Choices, My Wishes℠, an ACP program developed by The US Oncology Network. “Our hope is to inspire others to begin, support, and encourage incorporation of advance care planning service delivery in their practices.”
Another poster titled, Patient characteristics and survival outcomes associated with early versus delayed molecular testing in metastatic NSCLS, will take an in-depth look at characteristics and delays in molecular testing in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.
“This study is an important step in characterizing our patterns of molecular testing and how we use these analytical tests to determine treatment choice in hopes of optimizing patient outcomes,” said Debra Patt, MD, MPH, MBA, study co-author, oncologist with Texas Oncology, and medical director of Healthcare Informatics for The US Oncology Network. “The mechanisms of molecular testing for actionable analytics and therapeutic inverventions in lung cancer are changing rapidly. We need to better understand our systems that support these therapeutic interventions and how that translates into patient outcomes.”
For more information or to interview an investigator, contact Jennifer Horspool, 949-933-4300.
About The US Oncology Network
The US Oncology Network is one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated, community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. A physician-led organization, The US Oncology Network unites like-minded physicians and clinicians around a common vision of improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Leveraging healthcare information technology, shared best practices, evidence-based guidelines and quality measurements, physicians within The US Oncology Network are pioneering new ways to achieve this vision. The US Oncology Network is committed to strengthening patient access to integrated care in local communities across the nation, including collaboration with a variety of payers, hospitals and academic institutions. The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation focused on empowering a vibrant and sustainable community patient care delivery system. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.