OPTIC Resource Library

ADOPTING INNOVATIONS: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality provides a guide for decision makers interested in adopting innovations in their practice. The resource helps users determine if an innovation would be a good fit—or an appropriate stretch—for their healthcare organization by asking a series of questions. It also provides links to actionable Web-based tools and presents case studies that illustrate how other organizations have addressed these questions.

DEFINING AN EQUITY AGENDA : The National Academy of Science provides a report on setting an equity agenda in health care. The report specifically identifies impediments to equity in healthcare quality, impacts of racism and discrimination, as well as strategies to improve racial equity in healthcare equity.

MEASURING CHANGE FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT : This Institute for Healthcare Improvement collection of measurement tools can be used by organizations to help measure progress of any quality and process improvement initiatives implemented at their institutions.

PRACTICE IMPROVEMENT AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is actively engaged in assisting health systems and providers to improve healthcare through a better understanding of SDOH in communities and the social needs of patients. AHRQ provides resources to assess social risks and needs, as well as resources to address them.

PLAN, DO, STUDY, ACT (PDSA) : This Institute for Healthcare Improvement worksheet provides a framework to test proposed changes at the system and operational levels, making it easier to identify which variables are barriers to implementing effective process and quality improvement programs.

PROVIDING EXTERNAL SUPPORT FOR PRIMARY CARE: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's EvidenceNOW tool is a model for providing external support to primary care practices to improve care delivery. The model is designed to help primary care practices increase their capacity for quality improvement with the goals of improving patient and practice health.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ESSENTIALS TOOLKIT : The Institute for Healthcare Improvement provides templates on how to successfully launch and manage quality improvement and performance improvement projects that can be used with the Model for Improvement, Lean, or Six Sigma.

HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN TO IMPROVE PATIENT EXPERIENCE : A case study on the Breast Oncology Department at Thomas Jefferson Hospital’s use of human design to embed evidence-based change into workflows.

CULTURE CHANGE FOR INCREASED EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT : A case study on St. Mary’s Cancer Centers of Colorado’s work to improve staff morale and build a culture of continuous improvement. Includes detailed steps for implementing a “Daily Improvement Program.”

LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE ED VISITS AND HOSPITAL ADMISSION COSTS: A case study on Tennessee Oncology, ACCC 2020 Innovator Award winner’s pilot program to accelerate quality improvement efforts, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction.

IMPROVED CARE COORDINATION WITH HUB AND SPOKE MODEL IN RURAL SETTING : Case study on Munson Healthcare’s hub-and-spoke model. The model looks to lower advanced stage cancer diagnoses given in emergency departments (EDs), improve access to well-coordinated care, minimize impact of specialist shortages, and improve cancer outcomes in its large, but geographically remote rural population.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FOR SPECIALIZED CANCER CARE : A detailed review of ACCC’s multidisciplinary initiative to improve ovarian cancer care delivery. Findings prioritized genetic testing and counseling, clinical trial enrollment, and multidisciplinary team care.

FOSTERING EXCELLENCE IN CARE AND OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH STAGE III/IV NSCLC : ACCC's national, multidisciplinary initiative to optimize care for patients diagnosed with stage III and IV NSCLC. Includes proven solutions from six participating cancer centers that identified and resolved specific barriers to care. Offers applicable lessons for quality improvement across all cancer care specialties.
(tags: patient-centered care, quality improvement, barriers to care, improved workflows, molecular testing, adverse events, biomarkers, value-based care)

NOVEL MEDICINE MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICE : A profile of how the Legacy Cancer Institute in Portland, Oregon, a tertiary academic cancer treatment facility, developed a best practice model in medication management for cancer patients. Cited as a “new best practice model” by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, the model includes the creation of an oncology pharmacy navigator position.

COMPREHENSIVE MULTIDISCIPLINARY QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE : This report on an ACCC supported quality improvement initiative in acute lymphocytic leukemia details how three multidisciplinary cancer programs cited their own unique challenges, and opportunities for improved care, then developed specific quality improvement plans. Topics range from improving clinical competency, coordinating care, to improving metrics.

PROCESS IMPROVEMENT TO BREAK SILOS, CREATE REVENUE TIER MODEL : A case study on the Nancy N. and J. C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion’s use of validated process improvement technologies to integrate a free-standing cancer center into the healthcare delivery system. Results include improvement in overall workflows, communication, and knowledge sharing.

NAVIGATION PROCESS IMPROVEMENT FOR INCREASED REIMBURSEMENT : A case study on how DuPage Medical Group, Illinois's largest physician-owned medical group, added financial navigators to offer patients personalized guidance to avoid financial toxicity.

‘FROM COMPLEX TO CLEAR’ PRECISION MEDICINE TOOLKIT : Designed for multidisciplinary cancer teams that offer, or want to offer, biomarker testing, resources here include ACCC’s Precision Medicine Library, a lexicon of biomarker testing, a biomarker process improvement toolkit, and a range of educational materials to help clinicians make educated and holistic decisions that can positively influence patient outcomes.

GENOMIC SEQUENCING TO GUIDE CANCER MANAGEMENT : Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) supported a report to analyze the clinical utility and health outcomes of commercially available NGS-based multigene panel tests. Using evidence mapping, this resource identifies evidence gaps in a visual way.

INTEGRATING PRECISION MEDICINE INTO PRACTICE : The Iowa Oncology Society’s Lunch and Learn program offers three webinars, each with its own topic area. They include community cancer center models for genetic testing, ways to initiate genetic testing, methods for incorporating genetic counselors into clinics, and ways to meet the unique challenges of genetic testing in the community cancer setting.
(tags: precision medicine, genetic testing, genetic counseling, genetic screening, pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics, patient-centered care, value-based care, integrated practice, patient education)

OPEN ACCESS CANCER MODELING DATABANK : The Human Cancer Models Initiative (HCMI) is an international collaboration (including the National Cancer Institute (NCI)), that is working to create 1,000 next-generation cancer models from patient tumors. It is annotated with clinical, biospecimen, and molecularly characterization data. The models are derived from primary and metastatic or multiple metastatic tumors, and have case-associated data available to researchers as a community resource.

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PHARMACOGENETICS OF CANCER :This special issue of the journal Cancer Drug Resistance contains 14 articles that provide an overview of emerging trends in anticancer drug development, ranging from drug labeling to guidelines. The articles also review the integration of somatic pharmacogenomic markers into clinical practice and an overview of their role in the development of cancer drug resistance.

OPEN ACCESS GENETIC SEQUENCING REPOSITORY : Health care providers can use the ExPecto repository to either upload their own data or review previously uploaded data to make highly accurate cell-type-specific predictions of gene expression solely from DNA sequence. The tools automatically identify the gene whose TSS (Total Symptom Score) is closest to a submitted variant and predicts the impact of the variant on the gene's expression in 200+ tissues and cell-types.

EMERGING PRECISION MEDICINE TRENDS FOR RADIOLOGISTS : A primer from the Radiological Society of North America on deep learning/artificial intelligence (AI) for radiologists, including terminology, data requirements, and design trends. It also includes a discussion on training and validation, performance metrics, visualization, and future directions. This resource is intended to facilitate clinical adoption of techniques to enhance delivery of precision medicine.

CLINICAL PHARMACOGENETICS IMPLEMENTATION CONSORTIUM (CPIC): This peer-reviewed, updated, evidence-based resource of freely accessible guidelines for gene/drug pairs helps clinicians accurately adjust medications based on genetic test results.

CLINICAL TESTING GUIDELINES : PharmGKB is a repository of papers and guidelines for setting up clinical testing for various pharmacogenetics and for testing toxicity potentials of most oncology drugs.

EMERGING BEST PRACTICES FOR INTEGRATING PRECISION MEDICINE INTO PRACTICE : This collection of best practices from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics covers pharmacogenomic nomenclature, testing, result interpretation, and reporting in the laboratory.

TWO MODELS FOR TUMOR REVIEW BOARDS : An ACCC Oncology Pharmacy Education Network summary of a pre-conference workshop on how oncology pharmacists can leverage molecular tumor boards to successfully participate in interdisciplinary efforts to deliver precision medicine.

NOVEL INTEGRATED VALUE-BASED CARE MODEL FOR REACHING TRIPLE AIM : A detailed case study of how the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institution, part of the ChristianaCare Health System in Delaware, transitioned to a risk-based reimbursement model. The case study provides a look at the methods used as well as outcome measures.

IMPROVED CARE COORDINATION WITH HUB AND SPOKE MODEL IN RURAL SETTING : Case study of how Munson Healthcare in northern Michigan, leverages advanced practice providers and outpatient facilities in a hub-and-spoke model. Goals of the model include lowering the number of advanced-stage cancer diagnoses given in emergency departments (EDs), improving access to care, minimizing impact of staffing shortages, and improving cancer outcomes.

CREATING A PARAMEDICINE PARTNERSHIP TO LOWER ED VISITS : This case study shows how a partnership with a local community paramedic group helped ACCC Innovator Award 2021 winner, Presbyterian Healthcare Services of Albuquerque, NM, drive down costs, improve outcomes, and reduce emergency department (ED) utilization and inpatient admissions.

NO-COST GENETIC SCREENING FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS : A case study on how the Yuma Cancer Center in Arizona, a ACCC 2019 Innovator Award winner, overcame multiple barriers to offering its medically underserved population genetic screening and testing services at no cost to patients.

PARTNERING WITH THE GENOMICS LAB FOR BETTER OUTCOMES : A case study detailing the interdisciplinary partnership between ACCC 2020 Innovator Award winner, Ochsner Precision Cancer Therapies, and a translational genomics research institute. The case study highlights how patients in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” participate in a full range of cancer clinical trials previously inaccessible due to multiple barriers to care.

CREATING A FLEXIBLE MEDICAL ONCOLOGY REIMBURSEMENT PLAN : A case study describing how Aurora Health Care created a flexible medical oncology practice compensation plan. The case study includes how Wisconsin’s largest health system was able to allow payment for non-RVU-generating activities while enhancing expertise and intra-group consultation.

NOVEL MEDICINE MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICE : A profile of how the Legacy Cancer Institute in Portland, Oregon, a tertiary academic cancer treatment facility, developed a best practice model in medication management for cancer patients. Cited as a “new best practice model” by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, the model includes the creation of an oncology pharmacy navigator position.

LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE ED VISITS AND HOSPITAL ADMISSION COSTS : A case study on Tennessee Oncology, ACCC 2020 Innovator Award winner’s pilot program to accelerate quality improvement efforts, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction.

VIRTUAL INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY CARE : A detailed look at how the University of Rochester in New York created a virtual oncology services platform to overcome social and economic barriers. Results include cost-effective, evidence-based, symptom-based interventions under the guidance and direction of trained integrative oncology healthcare providers.

LEVERAGING COVID INNOVATIONS IN VIRTUAL HEALTH FOR BETTER OUTCOMES : A Harvard Business Review article reviews a telehealth framework developed by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas A&M University. The article highlights the adaptation of best practices from in-person visits to the unique characteristics of a virtual setting to prioritize all stakeholder needs.

EXPANDING SPECIALIZED CARE CAPACITY THROUGH TELE-LEARNING : Based on the teaching model of clinical rounds in residency, the University of New Mexico’s ECHO Model uses teleconference technology to allow academics and community providers to present real cases to one another for discussion and recommendations. This bi-directional learning model informs academia of proven best practices in care delivery, while community providers learn about the latest clinical developments.

TELEHEALTH TIPS FOR INCREASED ACCESS TO CARE: Highlights best practices using telehealth in breast cancer. They include increasing time spent with patients, decreasing cancellation rates, improving patient satisfaction, and reducing time away from work, home, or other responsibilities.

VIRTUAL PATIENT EDUCATION TO ENHANCE PATIENT COMPLIANCE : An article exploring how advances in virtual technology are making it possible to provide patients with personalized education about all aspects of their disease and treatment.

TELEHEALTH FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL SCREENING : A panel of supportive care specialists shares practical tips on the use of psychosocial screening tools and how to effectively integrate them into practice, including the order, timing, and adaptation of various tools.

AMPLIFYING ELECTRONIC PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES : The Advisory Board convened a cross-industry discussion of over 50 healthcare leaders on utilizing electronic patient reported outcomes in cancer care. This resource provides key takeaways that healthcare leaders need to consider when looking to use PROs as a tool for capturing patient voice.

DECREASING FINANCIAL TOXICITY TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES : The Discussions of Cost (DISCO) application, designed by the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Mich., is a scalable and individualizable intervention to help prevent financial toxicity by preparing patients for their treatment-related costs, educating them on how to reduce the financial burden of care, and encouraging compliance.

DIGITAL CLINICAL MEASURES: In an effort to build a digital medicine community, the Digital Medicine Society has put together a quick start guide and playbook for medical professionals to successfully develop and implement digital clinical measures and remote monitoring.

DIGITAL HEALTH PLAYBOOK SERIES : New technologies are fundamentally changing the way people interact with health care. The American Medical Association has put together tools and resource guides for telehealth and remote patient monitoring.

PALLIATIVE CARE PATIENT EDUCATION TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES : A case study of how ACCC 2021 Innovator Award winner, Cancer Care Associates of York, Penn., uses electronic health records (EHRs) to identify and stratify the needs of high-risk patients before treatment begins. Once needs are defined, Cancer Care educates patients about palliative care.

REMOTE MONITORING OF CANCER PATIENTS TO REDUCE ED ADMISSIONS : A case study on how COVID-positive cancer patients at the 2021 ACCC Innovator Award winning Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Va., were successfully monitored remotely in a pilot study, using password-protected patient dashboards integrated with EHRs.

SECONDARY USE OF EHR DATA COLLECTION FOR EVIDENCE-BASED SURIVORSHIP CARE : This paper details how the emerging Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard can help leverage combined clinical and patient-generated data to support clinical decision-making and improve analysis of survivorship care plans.

LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE ED VISITS AND HOSPITAL ADMISSION COSTS : A case study on Tennessee Oncology, ACCC 2020 Innovator Award winner’s pilot program to accelerate quality improvement efforts, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction.

NAVIGATION PROCESS IMPROVEMENT FOR INCREASED REIMBURSEMENT : A case study in how the DuPage Medical Group, Illinois's largest physician-owned medical group, added financial navigators to offer patients personalized guidance to avoid financial toxicity, using customized EHRs. In a six-month period, the program tripled enrollments in payment assistance programs, exceeding all total collected co-payments for the preceding year.

ONBOARDING NONONCOLOGY RNs TO OVERCOME STAFF SHORTAGE : A case study from the ACCC 2020 Innovator Award winning Miami Cancer Institute on how it overcame an experienced oncology nursing staff shortage, to now supplying 13% of its total oncology nursing workforce from an in-house oncology training program, with a 97% retention rate.

CULTURE CHANGE FOR IMPROVED STAFF RETENTION : A case study on Cancer Centers of Colorado at SCL Health St. Mary’s Medical Center’s work, improved staff morale and built a culture of continuous improvement. Includes detailed steps for implementing a “Daily Improvement Program”.

OVERCOMING SHORTAGE OF GENETIC COUNSELORS : From ACCC Cancer Buzz, this article offers tips on overcoming the short supply of genetic counselors in a competitive market.

IMPROVING DIVERSITY AND EQUITY TO DRIVE EMPLOYEE RETENTION: An industry report by Press Ganey that highlights the connection between staff retention and employee perceptions. Data cited in the report correlate a diverse and equitable culture with a strong safety culture and good patient care outcomes. Steps for creating such a culture are included.

HIRING AND RETENTION TRENDS IN PRIVATE EQUITY-OWNED MEDICAL PRACTICES : A MedPageToday article citing the impact on hiring and retention trends resulting from the growth of private equity investments in oncology and other specialty medical practices.

NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORSHIP RESOURCE CENTER TOOLKIT : Issued jointly by the GW Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, this survivorship education toolkit offers checklists and resources for patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members.

OVERCOMING LACK OF EVIDENCE-BASED DATA IN SURVIVORSHIP : A HemOnc Today article featuring thought leaders in survivorship care discussing survivorship care plans, and how improving data collection and analysis can lead to strengthening outcomes.

PRECISION MEDICINE IN SURVIVORSHIP CARE : ACCC’s Immuno-Oncology Institute provides a precision medicine toolkit for survivorship that includes physician talking points, survivorship and transition care planning for immuno-oncology therapies, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) workup guidelines, webinars, among other resources.

SECONDARY USE OF EHR DATA COLLECTION FOR EVIDENCE-BASED SURIVORSHIP CARE : This paper details how the emerging Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard can help leverage combined clinical and patient-generated data to support clinical decision-making and improve analysis of survivorship care plans.

STATE-OF-THE-ART LONG-TERM SURVIVORSHIP CARE : An Institute of Medicine report discussing risk stratification, patient education, palliative care, caregiver support, and data collection methods to better serve diverse populations.