A Multidisciplinary Patient Navigation Program Improves Compliance With Adjuvant Breast Cancer Therapy in a Public Hospital. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castaldi, Maria; Safadjou, Saman; Elrafei, Tarek; McNelis, John
• Is Part Of: American journal of medical quality. Volume 32:Number 4(2017:Jul./Aug.)
• Page Start: 406
• Page End: 413
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: breast cancer -- adjuvant therapy -- patient navigation -- public hospital -- disparity in health care; Medical care -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Utilization review -- Periodicals; Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1177/1062860616656250
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-8606

Abstract

Cancer health disparities affecting low-income and minority patients have been well documented to lead to poor outcomes. This report examines the impact of patient navigation on adherence to prescribed adjuvant breast cancer treatment. A multidisciplinary patient navigation program was initiated at a public safety net hospital to improve compliance with 3 National Quality Forum measures: (1) administration of combination chemotherapy for women with Stage (defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC]) T1c, II, or III hormone receptor-negative breast cancer within 120 days; (2) administration of endocrine therapy for women with AJCC Stage T1c, II, or III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer within 365 days; and (3) radiation therapy for women receiving breast-conserving surgery within one year. Implementation of a multidisciplinary patient navigation program reduced time to treatment and improved compliance with adjuvant therapy for breast cancer in an underserved minority community.