ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S2831

Interdisciplinary - Health economics & health services research

ESTRO 2024

Material/Methods:

Our institute aspires an organization-wide, bottom-up structure dedicated to continuous quality of care improvement, inspired by Porter's Value Agenda. We use real-world data that capture patient-relevant outcomes, structurally registered during daily practice in our institute. These data become our compass, to steer our daily practices and validate the impact of transformative measures. Our approach encompasses a structured, step-wise method. Beginning with the definition of patient-relevant outcomes, validated through rigorous processes involving esteemed organizations such as the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM), we navigate a cyclic journey rooted in Deming's Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle. 3 Our process involves visualization of outcomes, analysis, setting improvement goals, exploration of change strategies, implementation of action plans, and evaluation of results using outcomes. Content-driven cycles, steered by dedicated project managers, empower our innovation-minded RTOs and radiation therapy technologists (RTTs) to ensure continuous improvement without burdening our healthcare professionals. These focused efforts are further reinforced by specific action teams of RTOs and RTTs to foster a collaborative environment and knowledge sharing across treatment areas.

Results:

Resolute adherence to the structured methodology has yielded remarkable results for patient-relevant outcomes and healthcare costs. Noteworthy transformations in care processes have emerged. This is first exemplified by the treatment technique shift for prostate cancer to motion mitigation using an endorectal balloon that substitutes an adaptive workflow. This transformation has not only enhanced treatment quality, but also showed to be the more cost-effective approach. Furthermore, the development and implementation of outcome-based models to determine patients’ eligibility for proton therapy, ensures the cost -effective deployment of this costly technology.