Ensuring Patient Safety and Access in Cancer Care

Abstract

The inability to obtain the right high-quality cancer care in a timely and safe manner can have devastating results for patients. As cancer care becomes inundated with cutting edge and novel treatments, such as personalized medicine, oral chemotherapy, biosimilars, and immunotherapy, new safety challenges are emerging at increasing speed and complexity. Moreover, shifting federal healthcare policies could have significant implications for the safety and access to high-quality and effective cancer care for millions of patients with cancer. Challenges and opportunities in ensuring patient access to safe, affordable, and high-quality cancer care remain significant within the policy landscape. To address these concerns, NCCN hosted the Ensuring Safety and Access in Cancer Care Policy Summit in June 2017 to discuss pertinent patient safety issues and access implications under the Trump administration, as well as policy and advocacy strategies to address these gaps and build on opportunities moving forward.

Root cause analysis of safety incidents in antineoplastic use in children

“…In Brazil, an estimated 7,930 new cases per year ( 1 ) . Despite technological and scientific advances, safe, effective and individualized care is still a challenge for continuous quality improvement in pediatric oncology ( 2 - 3 ) . The estimated risk of significant harm to patients due to failures in the processes involving treatment varies from one to four for every 1,000 medications prescribed ( 4 - 5 ) .…”

“…Patient safety, in addition to seeking to reduce adverse event occurrence with harm, is also concerned with other incidents that have the potential to cause harm, but that did not affect patients ( 13 ) . The success of pediatric oncology care depends on teamwork, carried out through continuous communication, since this care process is complex and measuring the quality of care refers to different dimensions ( 2 - 3 , 14 ) . Using appropriate tools is essential to identify, analyze contributing factors and propose solutions to observed problems and incidents ( 15 ) .…”

“…No Brasil, estimam-se 7.930 novos casos por ano ( 1 ) . Apesar dos avanços tecnológicos e científicos, o cuidado seguro, efetivo e individualizado ainda é um desafio para melhoria contínua da qualidade em oncopediatria ( 2 - 3 ) . O risco estimado de ocorrência de danos significativos ao paciente em decorrência de falhas nos processos que envolvem o tratamento varia de um a quatro para cada 1.000 medicamentos prescritos ( 4 - 5 ) .…”

“…A segurança do paciente, além de buscar reduzir a ocorrência de eventos adversos com dano, preocupa-se também com outros incidentes com potencial de causar dano, mas que não atingiram o paciente ( 13 ) . O sucesso do cuidado oncológico pediátrico depende do trabalho em equipe, realizado por meio de comunicação contínua, uma vez que esse processo de cuidado é complexo e que a mensuração da qualidade do cuidado remete-se a distintas dimensões ( 2 - 3 , 14 ) . O uso de ferramentas adequadas é imprescindível para identificar, analisar os fatores contribuintes e propor soluções para os problemas e incidentes observados ( 15 ) .…”

BBCIC Research Network Analysis of First-Cycle Prophylactic G-CSF Use in Patients Treated With High–Neutropenia Risk Chemotherapy

“…14 In addition to comparability to reference biologics, assurance of patient safety, and improved patient access, effective pharmacovigilance vital to ensuring ongoing biosimilar safety and effectiveness was noted. 15,16 Healthcare providers and patients expressed concerns regarding safety. [17][18][19][20][21][22] An NCCN survey identified challenges associated with biosimilar introduction into the clinic, and studies assessing safety and efficacy of biosimilars were deemed most important.…”