Acuity-Based Scheduling: Outcomes in Ambulatory Oncology Centers

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Healthcare Management
• Operations Research

Background:

• Increasing cancer patient treatments in ambulatory settings necessitate efficient care delivery models.
• Traditional scheduling may not meet the demands of timely and safe ambulatory cancer care.
• Optimizing ambulatory cancer care is crucial for patient outcomes and resource utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of acuity-based scheduling (ABS) on ambulatory cancer care delivery.
• To assess the effectiveness of a lean approach in improving efficiency and patient satisfaction.
• To determine if ABS can enhance safety, effectiveness, and timeliness of care.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of acuity-based scheduling (ABS) across ambulatory care centers.
• Reconfiguration of clinical space and staff allocation based on patient acuity levels.
• Utilized templated scheduling to align resources with patient care needs.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements observed in patient wait times and overall capacity.
• Increased infusion hours, chair utilization rates, and patient visits were noted.
• Enhanced chair turns, optimized average infusion length, and higher patient satisfaction reported.

Conclusions:

• Acuity-based scheduling (ABS) is an effective lean strategy for ambulatory cancer care.
• ABS positively impacts key performance indicators, including operational efficiency and patient experience.
• This approach supports safe, effective, and timely care delivery in comprehensive cancer centers.