Why Is 24-Hour Oncology Care Needed, and What Are Its Benefits?

Cancer is a difficult experience for individuals and families, with psychological and financial as well as physical dimensions. Providing continuous, high-quality healthcare during this process may improve patients' quality of life while also benefiting the healthcare system. Is 24-hour oncology care possible, and what effects can it have?

A 24-Hour Oncology Clinic: A New Model for Advanced Care

An oncology clinic operating 24 hours a day is a model used at a small number of cancer centers worldwide. One is the Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center in the United States, which has achieved notable success with its 24-hour service. Its slogan is "Right Place, Right Healthcare Professional, Right Time: A 24-Hour Cancer Clinic."

Benefits of a 24-Hour Oncology Outpatient Clinic

A 24-hour oncology outpatient clinic aims to spare patients unnecessary emergency department visits, reduce costs, and optimize the use of healthcare staff and resources.

The main principles of the model used by the example clinic in the United States are:

• Cost Advantages for Patients: It provided cancer care interventions at outpatient rates, offering a substantial financial advantage.
• More Effective Use of Resources: A specialist team familiar with each patient's treatment regimen reduced resource use by avoiding unnecessary tests.
• Continuous, Integrated Care: A patient needing intervention at the clinic can easily be referred to the emergency department in the same building or admitted to hospital if necessary.

Overcoming Challenges: Encouraging Adoption of a New Approach

The 24-hour oncology care model faced several challenges.

1. Allocating Space: The clinic had to set aside part of the hospital's inpatient treatment space.
2. Patient Education: Patients were taught to contact their care team first rather than go directly to the emergency department.
3. Persuading Physicians: Although some physicians initially saw no need for the model, the resulting data were persuasive. Reductions in unnecessary emergency department tests and their costs increased confidence in the approach.

Success Supported by Data

Some findings demonstrating the model's success include:

• Fewer Emergency Department Visits: Cancer patients spent less time in the emergency department.
• Fewer Hospital Admissions: Alternative solutions were offered for non-emergency situations.
• Patient Satisfaction: Patients reported feeling more able to manage their healthcare with the reassurance of continuous support.

Can It Be Implemented Everywhere? Alternative Approaches

Not every healthcare center can establish such a comprehensive clinic, but the following suggestions may help many centers improve patient care:

1. Inform Your Patients: Clearly explain what they should do if a problem arises between appointments.
2. Set Aside Time for Same-Day Appointments: Build flexibility into the daily schedule to accommodate urgent needs.
3. Assign Staff: A team that knows patients' conditions well improves the quality of intervention.
4. Analyze Data: Examine why patients attend the emergency department and take steps to prevent unnecessary admissions.

Conclusion: The Importance of 24-Hour Oncology Care

Continuity in cancer care is essential for both patients and healthcare providers. A 24-hour oncology clinic offers a notable example of how cancer outcomes may be improved. The model increases patient satisfaction, is cost-effective, and enables more efficient use of healthcare resources.

Not every center can offer services on this scale, but effective care models can be developed using existing resources. Every hour, even every minute, matters in the fight against cancer. Establishing a support mechanism that patients can reach at any time may therefore be a critical step toward improving quality of life.