Bridging community and academic cancer centers using nurse navigation.

102 Background: The Penn Cancer Network was formed in the early 1990's to bridge a connection between the community oncology setting and The University of Pennsylvania, an academic medical center. Aspects of the network contracts include cancer program assessment and development, accreditation preparation, and most recently dedicated access to cancer care via the network nurse navigator. This poster emphasizes the impact of a network nurse navigator has as a highly sought link between health systems, providers and patients to streamline patient referrals, with a formal process evolving over time.

METHODS: The establishment, growth and success of the referral process can be attributed to multiple efforts on behalf of the nurse navigator and administration, including but not limited to strong relationship development among nurse navigators and administrators at the hospitals and a formalized process developed by the nurse navigators using an online portal for referrals directly to the nurse navigator. Metrics are also maintained to demonstrate clinical and financial outcomes.

RESULTS: Since the establishment of a dedicated nurse navigator in 2010, referrals have increased year over year and two hospitals have since joined Penn Medicine, in part due to these strong relationships. Systematic chart reviews and data analysis have been completed annually to present to administration, with hundreds of patients being referred annually for second opinions, complex surgeries or clinical trials. A comprehensive financial analysis has been done to demonstrate the impact of these patient referrals on the health system, increasing annually.

CONCLUSIONS: Access to the network nurse navigator has been emphasized as a major advantage to being a network hospital. A nurse navigator is well positioned to triage to subspecialties, assess patient and provider needs, and be knowledgeable in the operations of both systems. Data analysis has been paramount in demonstrating the impact of this program, both clinically and financially. This process could be done for formal network relationships or informal, but it certainly builds a great pattern to improve patient's access to care.