In-office dispensing of oral oncolytics: a continuity of care and cost mitigation model for cancer patients.

The high cost of cancer therapies continues to lead to questions of affordability for the healthcare system and to patients. Ensuring patient access to oral cancer drugs presents a unique set of challenges due to the significant cost of these novel agents, healthcare/payer policies, and established distribution practices. The National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc (NCODA) is a grassroots, nonprofit organization established by pharmacists who are directly involved at the community practice level in assisting patients with the acquisition of their oral cancer drugs. Community oncology practices that embrace the NCODA Quality Standards are able to provide exceptional patient care by providing direct access to oral cancer drugs through the in-practice dispensary. Patient continuity of care is ensured by allowing practice staff to manage all aspects of drug therapy-from initial dispense to completion of therapy-and in-practice dispensing allows for improved patient convenience, safety, and compliance. Practice staff in the dispensary area work directly with patients to address the insurance coverage limitations and financial toxicity of procuring these drugs. Medicare patients are not eligible to take advantage of patient assistance and/or co-pay programs that have been established by pharmaceutical companies. Foundations such as the Patient Access Network Foundation have been established to provide assistance to Medicare patients. This case report focuses on a new dispensary in a moderately sized oncology community practice that prescribes to the NCODA Quality Standards and outlines the processes developed to assist Medicare patients in accessing their oral cancer medications.

Creating a process to standardize regimen order sets within an electronic health record.

PURPOSE: US Oncology uses regimen order sets in clinical practice to treat patients. However, the process to assure accuracy and upkeep of these order sets has not been described. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the regimens housed in the electronic health record, iKnowMed, to determine their appropriateness and accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US Oncology conducted an audit of its standardized regimen library. A utilization review compared chemotherapy regimens in the library and consolidated order sets on the basis of past utilization. Next, internal and external clinical pharmacists were contracted to verify the accuracy, dose, duration, and cycle length of regimens. References cited in the regimen library were evaluated. New or updated references or clinical practice standards were added or modified when necessary. US Oncology corporate pharmacists reviewed the recommendations and discussed findings with an oversight committee. Final proposals were voted on before being incorporated into iKnowMed. An internal database tracking system tool for all reviewed recommendations was created to track and communicate needed changes to the electronic health record. RESULTS: Out of 511 regimen order sets, 51 were recommended for removal or consolidation. Of the remaining 460 regimen order sets, all had some administrative changes. Specifically, 75% had title changes, 14% had cycle-related changes, 31% had reference updates, and 13% had dosing updates. CONCLUSION: Electronic health records systems, such as iKnowMed, can provide standardized order sets for a large oncology network. However, the regimens need to be evaluated routinely using standardized procedures to ensure they are accurate and current.