Improving Care Continuity in Oncology Settings: A Lean Management Approach to Minimize Discharges Without Follow-Up Appointments

AlHarthy, Shinnona Hamed; Ayaad, Omar; Al Mashari, Al Ameer Ahmed; AlBalushi, Muna Ali; Ibrahim, Rawan; Bait Nasib, Mohammed Hassan; Al Zadjali, Razan; Awaisi, Huda; Al Baimani, Khalid

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.4.1293

Improving Care Continuity in Oncology Settings: A Lean Management Approach to Minimize Discharges Without Follow-Up Appointments

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Admission, Discharge, and Transfer Office, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), Muscat, Oman.

² Quality and Accreditation Department, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), Muscat, Oman.

³ Department of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), Muscat, Oman.

⁴ Medical Oncology Department, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), Muscat, Oman.

10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.4.1293

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to reduce the number of patients discharged without scheduled follow-up appointments by implementing lean management principles. Methods: Conducted at the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Center in Muscat, Oman, the research utilized a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design to evaluate the impact of lean management interventions on the rate of patient discharges without follow-up appointments. Strategies such as the Kaizen principle, Gemba Walks, cross-functional collaboration, standard work procedures, and waste reduction were employed to enhance operational efficiency. Results: Spanning from Quarter 3 of 2022 to Quarter 2 of 2023, the study demonstrated a significant decrease in the percentage of patients discharged without planned follow-up appointments. The rate dropped from 9% in September 2022 to 0% in March 2023, with statistically significant differences observed (X2= 65.05, p value=<.0001). Conclusion: By effectively implementing lean management principles, this research successfully enhanced care continuity for oncology patients after being discharged.

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