Continued success of the rapid response radiotherapy program: a review of 2004–2008

de, Eric; Sinclair, Emily; Mitera, Gunita; Wong, Jennifer; Danjoux, Cyril; Hird, Amanda; Hadi, Stephanie; Barnes, Elizabeth; Tsao, May; Chow, Edward

doi:10.1007/s00520-009-0585-7

Cited by 22 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The present study, which covers August 2008 to June 2012, has revealed further improvement in wait times, with a median wait time of 3 days between referral and consultation. The rrrp also demonstrates 10 . The continued success of the rrrp has influenced the establishment of similar palliative radiation therapy clinics at other cancer centres in Canada and overseas 10,16 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…The rrrp also demonstrates 10 . The continued success of the rrrp has influenced the establishment of similar palliative radiation therapy clinics at other cancer centres in Canada and overseas 10,16 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…The main objective in referring patients for palliative radiation is to achieve symptom relief with minimal side effects 10 . A daily outpatient clinic for palliative radiation therapy such as the rrrp ideally gives patients the opportunity to spend their remaining time comfortably in the company of family and friends at home, minimizing clinic visits and time spent at the cancer centre 11 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The rrrp holds five half-day clinics weekly and is run by a multidisciplinary team of professionals including radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, and research assistants. For consultation, simulation, and treatment planning to occur within the same day, referral notes, imaging studies, and other relevant information are made readily available before the patient's appointment 10 . All patients receiving treatment are typically simulated on the day of consultation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Continued Success in Providing Timely Palliative Radiation Therapy at the Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program: A Review of 2008–2012

et al. 2013

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Objective: We set out to review the Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program (rrrp). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a prospective database of patients referred to the rrrp between August 1, 2008, and June 30, 2012, extracting patient demographics, case dispositions, and wait times in days from referral to consultation and from consultation to treatment. Results: Of 2742 patients referred to the rrrp, 1458 (53%) were men, and 1284 (47%) were women. Median age was 64 years. The most prevalent primary cancer sites were lung (33%), breast (21%), and prostate (17%). The most common reasons for referral were bone metastases (53%) and brain metastases (21%). Palliative radiation therapy was given to 1890 patients. The median wait time from referral to consultation was 3 days. Among treated patients, 60% were treated on the day of their consultation, and 33%, within 1–6 days. Conclusions: The rrrp continues to deliver timely palliative radiation therapy to patients, comparable to earlier reviews. The continued success of the rrrp will remain a model for future rapid-access palliative radiation therapy clinics.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Continued Success in Providing Timely Palliative Radiation Therapy at the Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program: A Review of 2008–2012

et al. 2013

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“…National and international literature shows a decrease in waiting times for patients to receive palliative radiotherapy when referred to dedicated Rapid Response Palliative clinics 2, 15, 16. However, these clinics do not exist in the majority of Australian and New Zealand radiation centres.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing radiotherapy waiting times for palliative patients: The role of the Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist

Job

Holt

Bernard

2017

J of Medical Radiation Sci

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IntroductionPalliative radiotherapy is effective in reducing symptom burden and improving quality of life in patients with symptomatic metastatic cancer and should be delivered in a timely manner. The aim of this study was to determine whether referring patients directly to a Palliative Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist (APRT) improves access to palliative radiotherapy and reduces time from referral to treatment.MethodsAt Radiation Oncology Mater Center (ROMC) in Brisbane, Australia a new referral pathway was developed which involved patients requiring palliative radiotherapy, being referred directly to the APRT from a single external hospital medical oncology and palliative care departments. Over a 5 months period, patient demographics and time in working days from referral to treatment were compared for consecutive palliative patients seen within our department. Patients were stratified by method of referral i.e. via the new referral pathway (NP) or via standard referral pathway (SP).ResultsBetween October 2014 and March 2015, a total of 150 patients were referred for palliative radiotherapy. Of these patients, 48 were referred and processed via the NP. There was a significant reduction in the number of days from referral to treatment for patients referred through the NP. Patients referred through the NP via the APRT had a mean and median wait time of 3.5 and 3 days respectively compared with 8.1 and 5 days for patients referred through the SP (P = <0.001). Patients were also more likely to have the treatment completed with less visits to the hospital (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe new referral pathway utilising a dedicated palliative APRT decreased waiting times for patients receiving palliative radiotherapy and improved timely access to the radiotherapy service for both referrers and patients.

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Implementation and evaluation of a rapid access palliative clinic in a New Zealand cancer centre

Casson

Round

Johnson

2014

J of Medical Radiation Sci

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IntroductionPalliative patients with metastatic bone pain endure long waiting times and multiple visits to radiation therapy departments for treatment. This can prolong suffering and may be a factor in patients consenting for treatment. Rapid Access Palliative Clinics (RAPC) have been established around the world to provide a multidisciplinary approach to consultation, simulation and treatment on the same day. This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of a RAPC at Waikato Regional Cancer Centre (WRCC) by reducing the time from referral to first specialist appointment (FSA).MethodsThe structure and process for the RAPC day was outlined and the roles of staff were defined. A retrospective study was undertaken of the 261 consecutive patients seen in the RAPC from April 2009 to April 2013. Tracking sheets were created to record patient information at the initial consultation. Follow-up telephone calls were used to assess the patient post-treatment. Patient information was entered into a database.ResultsA total of 226 patients received radiation therapy treatment to 307 sites. All patients were seen within 1 week of referral. Sixty-three per cent of patients were simulated and treated on the same day. The change in radiation therapy fractionation prescriptions was statistically significant (P = 0.0012). There was a statistically significant difference between initial and follow-up pain scores (P < 0.0001).ConclusionEvaluation of the clinic has shown that it compares favourably with similar international clinics. The RAPC has decreased the referral to FSA for palliative radiation therapy and reduced the number of visits the patient has to endure due to an increase in single fraction prescriptions. This has resulted in rapid reduction in pain for the majority of patients.

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Continued success of the rapid response radiotherapy program: a review of 2004–2008

Cited by 22 publications

References 6 publications

Continued Success in Providing Timely Palliative Radiation Therapy at the Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program: A Review of 2008–2012

Continued Success in Providing Timely Palliative Radiation Therapy at the Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program: A Review of 2008–2012

Reducing radiotherapy waiting times for palliative patients: The role of the Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist

Implementation and evaluation of a rapid access palliative clinic in a New Zealand cancer centre

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