Optimizing computed tomography simulation wait times in a busy radiation medicine program.

PURPOSE: An audit was conducted of patient schedules for computed tomography simulation (CT-Sim) scans within the Radiation Medicine Program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to investigate opportunities for improved efficiencies, enhancing process, reducing rescanning rates, and decreasing wait times. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A 3-phased approach was undertaken to evaluate the current practice in the CT-Sim facility with a view toward implementing improvements. The first phase involved a review and assessment of the validity of current guidelines and protocols associated with 16 different disease sites. The second phase incorporated the use of a patient record and verification program MOSAIQ to capture the duration of each appointment. The last phase allocated additional time for patient-centered care and staff engagement. RESULTS: The audit revealed that efficiency could be achieved through staff training, updating protocols, and improving process coordination. With the exception of sarcoma, pediatric, and palliative patients who require unique management approaches, the duration for each CT-Sim appointment was successfully shortened for all disease sites by 22% to 33%, corresponding to a reduction of 10 to 15 minutes per appointment. Rescanning rates for patients requiring self-administered preparations before CT-Sim procedures were also significantly reduced by enhancing processes to increase patient compliance. Implementation of procedural changes resulted in an overall net gain of 3060 minutes, equivalent to 102 additional 30-minute CT-Sim appointment slots available for each month. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective evaluation, review, and optimization of CT-Sim guidelines and practices identified opportunities to shorten appointment timeslots, and reduce rescanning rates for CT-Sim procedures, thereby significantly shortening wait times and improving access to service for our patients.

Assessing Patient Satisfaction in a Radiation Therapy Department Using a Survey Tool.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to use a survey tool to measure the level of patient satisfaction with current health care delivery in the radiation therapy department, and provide insight into how the department can improve quality of care. METHODS: An anonymous patient satisfaction survey was distributed to radiation therapy patients near the end of their course of treatment. The survey was distributed over a 1-month timeframe to outpatients more than 18 years of age receiving a radical course of treatment. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five surveys were distributed, and 80 surveys were returned for a response rate of 55%. Patients were satisfied with their experience in terms of environmental features such as the waiting rooms and treatment rooms, accessibility and convenience of treatment including wait times, and the interpersonal relationships and clinical competence of the care providers. Results showed a variation in the use of support services depending on the treatment site. CONCLUSION: The survey tool was useful in showing that overall, patients were satisfied with the care in the radiation therapy department at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The survey was also useful for comparing patients' opinions between treatment site groups. The survey responses provided few ideas for improvement strategies. For future directions, the survey may be distributed at regular intervals as a method of measuring levels of patient satisfaction on an ongoing basis.