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Cancer Patient Pathway: Clarity, Coordination, and Efficiency in Preparation for the Accreditation of the Latvian Cancer Centre
Oskars Vanags, Quality Systems Manager at the Latvian Cancer Centre
The Latvian Cancer Centre, established by Riga East Clinical University Hospital (East Hospital), is developing and implementing clear and structured clinical pathways for cancer patients, ensuring that treatment and care are transparent, coordinated and evidence-based. These pathways allow physicians and patients to understand each subsequent step of the treatment process, thereby ensuring timely diagnosis, accurate therapy selection, and patient support at all stages – from the first suspicion of disease to post-treatment rehabilitation.
In international healthcare practice, depending on the specific diagnosis, detailed diagnostic and treatment procedures, known as patient pathways, have been developed. This approach allows all parties involved in the process to take the necessary actions in a clear and systematic manner. Medical professionals are able to provide accurate and structured information both to the patient and their relatives, should the illness progress to a more severe stage and the patient is no longer able to communicate personally.
Cancer Patient Pathway
The aim of cancer patient pathways is to ensure a transparent and comprehensible treatment and care process for patients with suspected or confirmed oncological disease. From the moment the patient is suspected to have an oncological disease, the subsequent steps – from diagnostics to therapy, post-treatment care, and rehabilitation – are accurately described. The Latvian Cancer Centre established at Riga East Clinical University Hospital (East Hospital) has developed clinical pathways for cancer patients. The newly developed patient pathways will allow physicians and patients to follow a single, evidence-based plan at every stage of treatment. This work involves a team of 180 physicians, as well as patient organisations. These clearly described clinical pathways for cancer patients facilitate coordination among medical staff, allowing everyone involved in the treatment process to take the next step, which, in turn, reduces delays and duplication of examinations.
Breast Cancer Patient Pathway: How does it help?
One of the first cancer patient pathways that was thoroughly reviewed, supplemented, and improved in preparation for the approaching accreditation of the Latvian Cancer Centre is the breast cancer patient pathway. Breast cancer is one of the few cancer localisations that can be completely cured if detected early. It is also important to ensure that every patient’s journey along this pathway is smooth and easy to understand for both the medical staff and the patient. Currently, the Breast Health Centre at the East Hospital provides diagnostics and treatment in line with European standards, where patients encounter not only a highly qualified medical team but also compassionate support staff. Throughout the breast cancer pathway, each patient is accompanied, advised, and supported by a nurse and coordinator who help to reduce anxiety and promote patient adherence.
Team Collaboration
The Latvian Cancer Centre has developed over 30 clinical cancer patient pathways, following international standards and the guidelines and objectives of the EU Cancer Plan, which aims to improve access to treatment by promoting the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach and strengthening cooperation between physicians, hospitals, and patients. Clinical patient pathways are a vital tool to improve the planning and quality of the treatment process. They provide a clearer overview of the necessary steps, allowing for more effective coordination of patient care and accelerating the treatment process. This approach not only improves treatment outcomes but also enables more efficient use of hospital resources, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system.
Quality of Patient Care
When developing a patient pathway for each cancer diagnosis, the treatment process is carefully planned, which allows to define quality criteria for each stage and to obtain accurate data on the time resources required at each step. Analysis of the collected data allows the Latvian Cancer Centre to accurately identify which stages of the patient pathway require improvements and determine what kind of improvements are needed to achieve better outcomes.
Towards an Internationally Accredited Cancer Care Centre
Latvian Cancer Centre established at the East Hospital actively continues the preparations to become an internationally recognised oncology treatment centre by pursuing the accreditation from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI). The development of cancer patient pathways is only one stage of the accreditation process, but undeniably a crucial one for everyone involved, both the medical staff and the patients.
