Table 1.
Institutional Assessment of Available Support Services and Resources (n=179)
| Institutions responding Yes (n, %) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | NCI-Designated Cancer Center (n=59) | Community Cancer Center (n=65) | Ambulatory Clinic (n=40) | Academic Medical Center (n=6) | VA Health (n=9) |
| Vision and Management Standards | |||||
| Administrative executive staff support implementation of initiatives to improve communication | 53 (89%) | 63 (96%) | 40 (100%) | 5 (83%) | 9 (100%) |
| Education resources designed to support development of competencies and practices in communication | 38 (64%) | 47 (72%) | 32 (80%) | 4 (66%) | 7 (77%) |
| Display/distribution of patient feedback of excellent communication (such as bulletin board with patient comments) | 39 (66%) | 42 (64%) | 25 (62%) | 4 (66%) | 4 (44%) |
| Practice Standards | |||||
| Advance care planning support available and plan communicated | 43 (72%) | 51 (78%) | 28 (70%) | 4 (66%) | 6 (66%) |
| Visiting Standards | |||||
| Policies for treatment and care settings clearly explained (safety procedures, visiting hours) | 52 (88%) | 57 (87%) | 35 (87%) | 6 (100%) | 5 (55%) |
| Inpatient visitor policies clearly explained | 44 (74%) | 54 (83%) | 33 (82%) | 4 (66%) | 6 (66%) |
| Spiritual, Religious, and Cultural Standards | |||||
| Interpreter available and process for referral is clear | 56 (94%) | 58 (89%) | 39 (97%) | 6 (100%) | 7 (77%) |
| Chaplain/spiritual care provider available and process for referral is clear | 53 (89%) | 54 (84%) | 34 (85%) | 6 (100%) | 6 (66%) |
| Written materials available for treatment options | 51 (86%) | 56 (86%) | 36 (90%) | 6 (100%) | 8 (88%) |
| Written materials available in different languages | 46 (77%) | 48 (73%) | 35 (87%) | 4 (66%) | 7 (77%) |
| Video available to explain treatment options and procedures | 29 (49%) | 20 (30%) | 16 (40%) | 2 (33%) | 6 (66%) |
| Computer access with Internet available for patient/families | 47 (79%) | 44 (67%) | 25 (62%) | 3 (50%) | 5 (55%) |
| Complementary or integrative therapies are discussed with patients | 42 (71%) | 37 (56%) | 29 (72%) | 5 (83%) | 5 (55%) |
| Families have access to library for additional resources | 43 (72%) | 34 (52%) | 23 (57%) | 6 (100%) | 4 (44%) |
| Psychosocial and Emotional Standards | |||||
| Palliative care team is available and referral process is clear | 51 (86%) | 50 (76%) | 34 (85%) | 3 (50%) | 6 (66%) |
| Providers are accessible via email for patients & families | 43 (72%) | 30 (46%) | 25 (62%) | 6 (100%) | 5 (55%) |
| Providers are available for family meetings with patients & families | 55 (93%) | 60 (92%) | 38 (95%) | 6 (100%) | 7 (77%) |
| Providers are available for phone conversations with patients & families | 53 (89%) | 61 (93%) | 36 (90%) | 6 (100%) | 6 (66%) |
| Video conferencing with providers is available for patients & families | 10 (16%) | 9 (13%) | 7 (17%) | 0 (0%) | 4 (44%) |
| Quality Improvement Standards | |||||
| Routine feedback from patients, family caregivers, and community partners is obtained | 50 (84%) | 51 (78%) | 33 (82%) | 4 (66%) | 8 (88%) |
| Community Network and Partnerships | |||||
| Referral process for community resources in place | 51 (86%) | 56 (86%) | 35 (87%) | 6 (100%) | 8 (88%) |
| Staff knowledge of community resources & contact information is current | 33 (55%) | 43 (66%) | 22 (55%) | 3 (50%) | 5 (55%) |