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Outpatient ocular brachytherapy: The USC Experience.
Sarah Joh1,2, Mary E Kim1,2, Michael Reilly3
1USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
Advances in Radiation Oncology
|July 26, 2021
Summary
Outpatient ocular brachytherapy is safe and effective for uveal melanoma treatment. This approach significantly reduces costs for patients and healthcare systems by allowing home discharge after plaque insertion.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Radiation Oncology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Ocular brachytherapy is a standard treatment for uveal melanoma, involving radioactive plaque placement and removal.
- Inpatient admission is common post-plaque insertion due to radiation safety concerns.
- Outpatient management allows patients to return home after plaque insertion, requiring a later return for removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety of an outpatient ocular brachytherapy program.
- To assess the financial benefits of outpatient versus inpatient ocular brachytherapy.
- To analyze a 30-year experience at the USC Roski Eye Institute.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 275 ocular tumor brachytherapy cases (1989-2019).
- Assessment for patient and radiation safety events.
- Cost-benefit analysis using American Hospital Association data for cost comparison.
Main Results:
- No patient or radiation safety events reported over 30 years.
- No adverse events related to transportation, return for removal, or radioactive material.
- Outpatient brachytherapy estimated to save an average of $24,722 per patient in 2018.
Conclusions:
- Outpatient ocular brachytherapy is safe with appropriate precautions.
- This approach reduces financial burden for patients and the healthcare system.
- Outpatient management offers a viable alternative to inpatient care for ocular brachytherapy.