Improving ENT cancer wait times
by Hugh Wheatley
WINNER of the Best QI Presentation
Quality Improvement Poster Download
Background & Problem
This project was done in the setting of the head and neck MDT. Cancer waits are subject to national targets, but more importantly can adversely affect patient outcomes.
Our waits were too long. The pathway can be quite complex. We needed to identify and rectify potential bottlenecks.
Aim
To improve wait times for head and neck cancer by June 2018
Method
Identify where the hold ups were by using a process map
2 2 PDSA cycles, looking to reduce waits to biopsy and waits to dental extractions - areas identified from the process map.
Results
Improved waits in the parts of the process that are in our control. The next stage is to improve waits in the parts of the cycle that we have less control over.
Implications
Spread into OMF department as well as ENT
| Quality Improvement Presenter(s) |
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| Hugh Wheatley, Consultant ENT surgeon |
| Quality Improvement Team |
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| The Head and Neck MDT |