1430 – 1520
Kamshad Touri, MD, CCPA
Description
Oncology patients often have unpredictable and complex needs that require management within an acute care inpatient setting. Studies have demonstrated that due to a high burden of illness in particular malignancies hospitalization can be unavoidable despite even the most diligent ambulatory care. Unplanned oncology hospitalizations are defined as admissions for the management of a complication related to an underlying oncological disease or its treatment, or for symptom control or palliation. There is evidence that demonstrates that patients with advanced disease are more likely to have an unplanned hospitalization, and that these admissions are a marker of poor prognosis with a predicted median survival of less than 3 months following hospitalization. Unsurprisingly, as the incidence of cancer is increasing unplanned admission rates are also on the rise. Consequently, the traditional resources to care for this complex population of patients are being exhausted. Therefore, the development of innovative models of care to support this growing cohort is critical. In response to this need a specialized interdisciplinary team supported by a Physician Assistant was established within a general medicine service. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss how this new model provides quality improvement for oncology patients undergoing unplanned hospitalizations. The presentation will explore processes used to foster and streamline comprehensive oncology care within a general medicine program.
PRESENTATION
Posted in: Saturday, October 20, 2018