Table 2.
Recommended steps for improvement and/or harmonization selected indicators/processes.
| Process or indicator | Finding | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic and pre-treatment phase | ||
| Presentation to MTB |
51.7% of cases presented to MTB Data missing in 23.3% of cases |
Present all cases to MTB Implement quality control measures to ensure registration of data in 100% of cases |
| Presentation at departmental clinical session | 62.5% of cases presented |
Establish clear criteria for presenting cases to clinical sessions Consider using mini-tumor boards comprised of radiation oncologists specializing in the specific tumor type/location |
| Staging MRI | 60.4% of cases (range 27.5–87.5%) | Implement measures to increase to 100% |
| Participation in clinical trial | 4.2% (range 0–15%) | At centers with low rates, seek to raise percentage of patients participating in clinical trials |
| Treatment phase | ||
| Median time elapsed between first visit and start of radiotherapy | 78 days (range 42–102.5) | Implement measures to reduce this time interval |
| Median time interval between CT simulation and RT | 18 days (range 12–33) | Apply measures to reduce this time interval |
| Treatment interruptions | 67% of cases (EBRT), range 7.5–97.5% |
Implement measures to reduce interruptions at centers with a high percentage of treatment interruptions Consider working on Saturdays and holidays |
| Treatment compensation rates |
9.9% of cases compensated (range 0–87.5%) Data not registered in some cases |
Implement measures to increase compensation rates Apply quality control measures to ensure registration of data in 100% of cases |
| Treatment completed in prescribed time | 67% of treatments completed in prescribed time ± 4 days (range 43.3–100%) |
Apply procedures to raise rate to 100% Consider working on Saturdays and holidays |
| Long-term ADT in high-risk patients | 80% of high risk cases received long term ADT | Ensure that 100% of high risk patients receive long term ADT |
| Follow-up phase | ||
| Registration of AEs absent | Data missing in 34.6% of cases | Implement quality control measures to ensure registration of data in 100% of cases |
MTB multidisciplinary tumor board, MRI magnetic resonance imaging, CT computed tomography, ADT androgen deprivation therapy, AE adverse events, RT radiotherapy.