Research and Scholarship

Improving Practice in a Head and Neck Oncology Clinic Using the PRO-CTCAE Tool

Rose Ann Ruddy,(1) DNP, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, Brigit Carter,(2) PhD, RN, CCRN, FAAN, Maryanne Giuliante,(1) DNP, MBA, RN, GNP, ANP-C, NEA-BC, HEC-C, and AnnMarie Lee Walton,(2) PhD, RN, MPH, OCN®, CHES, FAAN

From (1)Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Montvale, New Jersey; (2)Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina

Authors’ disclosures of conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article.

Correspondence to: Rose Ann Ruddy, DNP, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 225 Summit Ave, Montvale, NJ 07645 E-mail: ruddyrn@aol.com

ABSTRACT

Background: Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing treatment report many side effects. Using patient-reported outcomes can assist with care management. Objectives: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement the patient-reported outcome version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) measurement system, reduce patient hydration visits, and measure provider satisfaction with the PRO-CTCAE survey. Methods: Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS software. Descriptive statistics for means were used to summarize the data for survey completion rate and for the provider satisfaction questionnaire. A Fisher’s exact test was used to compare hydration visits before and after implementation of the PRO-CTCAE survey. Findings: The PRO-CTCAE surveys had a response rate of 91.2% (323/354) when telehealth visits were omitted. Hydration in the presurvey group was 23.5% (150/637) and in the postsurvey group was 38.5% (165/429), a 15% absolute percentage increase (Fisher’s exact p < .001). Among providers, the positive response rate was 100% for five questions and 88.9% for two questions. Implications: The PRO-CTCAE survey allowed the patient to report their symptoms prior to discussing them with their provider. Providers were able to expedite symptom management and get information to patients in a timely manner. The PRO-CTCAE survey should be considered a part of a multidisciplinary approach to caring for patients.

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