Philadelphia-based Fox Chase Cancer Center saved more than $60,000 in three months after implementing a nurse-led quality improvement initiative designed to prevent same-day infusion cancellations.
The nursing team at Fox Chase-East Norriton (Pa.) designed and embedded a pre-infusion assessment guide into the hospital’s Epic EHR. Nurses use the guide while contacting patients to confirm and discuss upcoming infusion appointments.
“By asking more direct questions, nurses helped patients better understand which symptoms are expected, which are treatable and when to call the care team,” according to a May 15 news release from Fox Chase. “Now, patients more frequently report symptoms earlier, allowing for proactive management, dose adjustments or rescheduling when needed.”
After implementing the feature, the cancer center saved more than $60,000 in medication waste in three months and saw its same-day infusion appointment cancellation rate fall from 8% to 1%, the release said.
“The financial savings were important, but the real goal was improving patient care and helping patients better understand their symptoms and treatment,” Michael Fitzpatrick, MSN, RN, clinical manager at Fox Chase-East Norriton and lead study author, said in the release.
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