Same-Day Access for Head and Neck Cancer: Effect on Patient Outcome and Quality-Related Benchmarks

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Delays in cancer treatment negatively affect outcomes across various oncology sites, including head and neck cancer.
• Timely initiation of radiation therapy is crucial for effective head and neck cancer management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a same-day access initiative on treatment timelines for newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients referred for radiation therapy consultation.
• To assess if same-day access affects oncologic outcomes such as overall survival and progression-free survival.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 50 patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer who received same-day access were matched to a control group.
• Matching criteria included age, gender, histology, performance status, tumor site, stage, p16 status, treatment, and smoking history.
• Median follow-up was 30 months, with analysis of 3-year survival, progression-free survival, and local-regional control.

Main Results:

• The same-day access group showed significantly reduced time from diagnosis to first radiation day (49 vs. 71 days) and diagnosis to treatment completion (91 vs. 111 days).
• Time from diagnosis to completion of diagnostic work-up was also reduced (32 vs. 43 days) in the same-day access cohort.
• No significant differences in 3-year overall survival, progression-free survival, or local-regional control were observed between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Same-day access significantly expedites the initiation and completion of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer patients.
• This initiative enhances multidisciplinary coordination, leading to faster treatment delivery without compromising survival outcomes.
• Implementing same-day access is a viable strategy to improve efficiency in head and neck cancer care pathways.