Implementation to Optimization: A Tailored, Data-Driven Approach to Improve Provider Efficiency and Confidence in Use of the Electronic Medical Record.

Purpose: Nine months after the implementation of a new electronic medical record (EMR) system at a single institution, physicians (MDs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs) expressed frustration with its use. We aimed to test if an individually tailored training approach reduced time spent with the EMR and increased confidence.

Materials And Methods: Two hours of training were conducted in a one-on-one manner with a trainer.

Measuring Chemotherapy Appointment Duration and Variation Using Real-Time Location Systems.

Introduction: Clinical schedules drive resource utilization, cost, and patient wait time. Accurate appointment duration allocation ensures appropriate staffing ratios to daily caseloads and maximizes scarce resources. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) infusion appointment duration is adjusted by regimen using a consensus method of experts including pharmacists, nurses, and administrators.

Variation in Additional Breast Imaging Orders and Impact on Surgical Wait Times at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Background: In the multidisciplinary care model, breast imagers frequently provide second-opinion reviews of imaging studies performed at outside institutions. However, the need for additional imaging and timeliness of obtaining these studies has yet to be established. We sought to evaluate the frequency of additional imaging orders by breast surgeons and to evaluate the impact of this supplementary imaging on timeliness of surgery.

Understanding process-of-care delays in surgical treatment of breast cancer at a comprehensive cancer center.

Few studies have examined care processes within providers' and institutions' control that expedite or delay care. The authors investigated the timeliness of breast cancer care at a comprehensive cancer center, focusing on factors influencing the time from initial consultation to first definitive surgery (FDS). The care of 1,461 women with breast cancer who underwent surgery at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center from 2011 to 2013 was studied.

Measuring opportunities to improve timeliness of breast cancer care at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center.

The authors sought to measure the timeliness of care for patients with breast cancer at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center throughout the treatment continuum, and to identify sources of variation that may serve as targets for improving care delivery. This report describes the methods that were developed to measure and analyze baseline performance.