Aims
The Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS) aim to use available data sources to monitor and communicate Victorian health services’ alignment with the Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs) by defining a standardised suite of performance and quality indicators and a standardised monitoring process.
Cancer quality and performance indicator results will be used to identify aspects of cancer care in need of further analysis, investigation, and quality intervention. The monitoring data will be routinely accessed and reported on by each of the VICS to drive improvements within their network, and across the state.
Methods
Indicator selection, testing and development was a staged process drawing on both evidence-based literature and advice gathered through clinician engagement, stakeholder input and expert opinion. Criteria were established to guide the comparison, ranking, and assessment of candidate indicator areas for selection. Indicators were derived from recommended timeframes and actions from the 24-adult cancer OCPs.
Results
Using a modified-Delphi method, the longlist of 36 indicators were assessed by a clinical reference group for their value in monitoring the quality of cancer care and potential to inform impactful improvement activities. Each was scored on a scale of 0 to 10. Results were collated and then ranked indicators grouped by ease of data collection.
Conclusions
A recommended suite of indicators covering all aspects of the patient journey and key components of service delivery as defined by the OCPs will be incorporated into a process to monitor OCP alignment. This will provide a mechanism for the VICS to produce, for Victorian health services, regular data reports against these indicators to inform service improvement opportunities and drive changes in clinical practice to improve outcomes.