Dataset Information

Impact of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program on Clinical Trial and Related Activities at a Community Cancer Center in Rural Nebraska.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Although 85% of patients with cancer are diagnosed and treated in the community setting, only 3% are enrolled onto clinical trials. Lack of adequate time, infrastructure, resources, incentives, and reimbursement adversely affect clinical trial participation. In July 2007, Saint Francis Cancer Treatment Center (SFCTC) in Grand Island, Nebraska, was selected as one of the initial 16 sites for the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP).

Methods

Clinical trial and related activities data at SFCTC 5 years before and 5 years during the NCCCP were gathered and compared. Data included information on patients in clinical trials, number and type of trials, ratio of underserved patients, staffing, collection and storage of tissue samples, availability of new cancer services, and organizational infrastructure and linkage to National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers.

Results

The number and percentage of patients enrolled onto clinical trials increased from 89 (3.2%) to 640 (23%; P<.001). All enrollees were rural Nebraskans, with 70%age > 65 years. Available treatment and nontreatment (eg, prevention, biospecimen,cancer control) trials increased from eight and three per year to 28 and 12 per year (P=.012), respectively. Staffing increased from 1.2 to 3.9 full-time equivalents (P=.012). A genetic counselor, smoking cessation counselor, and outreach project coordinator and two nurse navigators were hired. The number of tissue samples collected and/or stored increased from 26 (19%) to 320 (52%; P<.001).

Conclusion

NCCCP participation had a direct and positive impact on all activities, with enhanced access to expanded types of trials and cancer care services. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of successful implementation of an expanded spectrum of clinical trials and programs in a rural community.

SUBMITTER: Copur MS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4976454 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Impact of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program on Clinical Trial and Related Activities at a Community Cancer Center in Rural Nebraska.

Copur Mehmet Sitki MS Ramaekers Ryan R Gönen Mithat M Gulzow Mary M Hadenfeldt Rebecca R Fuller Courtney C Scott Jenifer J Einspahr Sarah S Benzel Heather H Mickey Mary M Norvell Max M Clark Douglas D Gauchan Dron D Kurbegov Dax D Copur Mehmet Sitki MS Ramaekers Ryan R Gönen Mithat M Gulzow Mary M Hadenfeldt Rebecca R Fuller Courtney C Scott Jenifer J Einspahr Sarah S Benzel Heather H Mickey Mary M Norvell Max M Clark Douglas D Gauchan Dron D Kurbegov Dax D

Journal of oncology practice 20150811 1

<h4>Purpose</h4>Although 85% of patients with cancer are diagnosed and treated in the community setting, only 3% are enrolled onto clinical trials. Lack of adequate time, infrastructure, resources, incentives, and reimbursement adversely affect clinical trial participation. In July 2007, Saint Francis Cancer Treatment Center (SFCTC) in Grand Island, Nebraska, was selected as one of the initial 16 sites for the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP).<h4>Methods</h4>Cli ...[more]

PMID: 26265173

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundThe National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) pilot was designed to improve quality of cancer care and reduce disparities at community hospitals. The NCCCP's primary intervention was the implementation of the Commission on Cancer Rapid Quality Reporting System (RQRS). The RQRS is a hospital-based data collection and evaluation system allowing near real-time assessment of selected breast and colon cancer quality of care measures. Building on previous NCCCP analyses, this study examined whether improvements in quality cancer care within NCCCP hospitals early in the program were sustained and whether improvements were notable for minority or underserved populations.MethodsWe compared changes in concordance with three breast and two colon cancer quality measures approved by the National Quality Forum for patients diagnosed at NCCCP hospitals from 2006 to 2007 (pre-RQRS), 2008 to 2010 (early-RQRS), and 2011 to 2013 (later-RQRS). Data were obtained from NCCCP sites participating in the Commission on Cancer Rapid Quality Reporting System. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of concordance with breast and colon cancer quality measures.ResultsThe sample included 13,893 breast and 5,546 colon cancer patients. After RQRS initiation, all five quality measures improved significantly and improvements were sustained through 2013. Quality of care measures showed sustained improvements for both breast and colon cancer patients and for vulnerable patient subgroups including black, uninsured, and Medicaid-covered patients.ConclusionsQuality improvements in NCCCP hospitals were sustained throughout the duration of the program, both overall and among minority and underserved patients. Because many individuals receive cancer treatment at community hospitals, facilitating high-quality care in these environments must be a priority.Implications for practiceQuality improvement programs often improve practice, but the methods are not maintained over time. The implementation of a real-time quality reporting system and a network focused on improving quality of care sustained quality improvement at select community cancer centers. The NCCCP pilot increased numbers of patients receiving guideline-concordant care for breast and colon cancer in community settings, and initial improvements noted in earlier years of RQRS were sustained into later years, both overall and among minority and underserved patients. National initiatives that improve care for diverse patient groups are important for reducing and eliminating barriers to care.

Dataset Information

Impact of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program on Clinical Trial and Related Activities at a Community Cancer Center in Rural Nebraska.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Impact of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program on Clinical Trial and Related Activities at a Community Cancer Center in Rural Nebraska.

Similar Datasets

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