[Results of a Pilot Study to Assess Quality Indicators in Outpatient Cancer Care].

AIMS: Indicators of process quality were developed for outpatient oncology care in Germany with the aim to advance quality monitoring and assurance. In this pilot study, data to assess these quality indicators (QI) were gathered and analyzed for the first time.

METHODS: Data were retrieved from patient records in oncology practices using an online data tool. Data were collected by practice-internal and in 7 (wave 1), 9 (wave 2) and 7 (wave 3) practices, respectively, by an external documentalist.

RESULTS: Altogether, 5,160 patient records from 37 oncology practices were analyzed. The adherence rates varied considerably between QI as well as between practices (0-100%). In summary, adherence rates were higher for QI of basis documentation (81%) than for therapy planning and implementation (72%), holistic care and psychosocial wellbeing (71%) or pain management (63%).

CONCLUSION: The ranges and high standard deviations show a high spread of adherence rates of QI. However, except for pain management, 100% fulfilment of QI requirements in some practices suggests that adherence to QI is generally feasible. Data collection for QI is resource intensive (time and personnel). Yet, collecting and examining data for QI provides useful information about areas with potential for improvement. QI can help improve the quality of care in oncology.