High Costs of Cancer Medications
In this paper, the plan of action to be followed in addressing the problem of high costs of cancer medications will be outlined and its components described. The following aspects will also be addressed in the paper, my personal role in the plan of action, anticipated barriers and contingency measures for addressing these barriers, and the role of technology in budgeting and nursing management contingent to the plan.
Plan of Action
Based on the findings of the literature review and interviews of two senior hospital administrators, the following measures for addressing the problem of ever-escalating costs of cancer care will be instituted:
Clinical Care Pathways
Critical care pathways outline evidence-based practices and treatments for various types of cancers. Although already implemented, their continued use is paramount because they help to standardize cancer care and in effect, to alleviate costs related to the prescription of expensive treatments with no known benefits. Seminars will be organized to re-orientate oncologists and other health care workers on the benefits of their continued use. The pathways will be updated twice yearly to conform to current practices (Eagle, 2012; Meropol et al., 2009). Every oncologist will be provided a personal digital assistant (PDA) containing the most current critical care pathways.
Patient Education
In line with the concept of informed decision making and ASCO’s recommendations, all cancer patients will be educated on the various treatments available and the cost implications of each. Patient education tools such as brochures will be developed and availed to all cancer patients and their families. Oncologists and other health care practitioners involved in the management of cancer patients will be encouraged to incorporate cost-related discussions during patient consultations. Tools to enable them to hold such discussions with patients will be developed and provided to them (Meropol et al., 2009).
Subsidized and Free Cancer Drugs solicited from Pharmaceutical Companies
The hospital will partner with willing pharmaceutical companies in providing subsidized or free cancer medications to cancer patients. These medications will be provided to the most needy patients particularly the underinsured and uninsured. Thus measure is aimed at fostering equal access to cancer medications for all patients.
Prioritization of Cost-effectiveness in Decision Making
Oncologists will be trained and encouraged to consider the cost implications of the diagnostic methods and treatments they prescribe for cancer patients.
Hospice Care
The hospital will partner with a hospice care provider. Hospice care will be recommended for patients who may not benefit from expensive cancer medications due to the severity of their disease (Eagle, 2012). The ultimate decision though on whether patients shall pursue cancer medications or hospice care will always be left to patients and their families.
Benchmarking
Benchmark measures for monitoring and evaluation purposes will be identified at the beginning of the project (Kay, 2007). The effectiveness of the planned cost-cutting measures will be evaluated via computation of data derived from the hospitals information system and insurance payers such as Medicare. Evaluation will be done at 6 and 12 months following the implementation of the planned initiatives.
Personal Role in the Development and Implementation of the Plan of Action
My roles in the plan of action will be to plan and champion the change. In the planning phase, I will enlist the support of the hospital administration for the project. During the implementation phase, I will champion the change by educating concerned health staffs on the need for the change, how to utilize and implement the various education tools, and how to interpret cost-related data.
Blocks to Plan of Action
The anticipated hiccups to the implementation of the planned measures include natural human resistance to change, lack of pertinent financial data on the cost implications of various cancer drugs, issues related to professional autonomy and the need to fulfill duty of care oncologists owe their patients, and recidivism.
Measures for Countering Blocks
Technology and Budgeting
The plan of action encompasses the use of technology as a nursing management strategy. Data for benchmarking, monitoring, and evaluation purposes will be stored, computed, and retrieved from health information systems and electronic health records. Critical care pathways will be availed via portable digital assistants (PDAs).
Conclusion
In summary, the plan of action will embody the following components: clinical care pathways, patient education, provision of subsidized or free cancer medications to patients, prioritization of cost-effectiveness in decision making, benchmarking, and hospice care. My roles in this plan will be to plan and champion the change. Anticipated barriers to the planned change include human resistance to change and lack of pertinent data. Contingency measures for countering these barriers include but are not limited to fostering ownership of the change project via creation of dissatisfaction with current conditions. Technological tools will be used to store, retrieve, and analyze data on financial outcomes of the project.
References
Eagle, D. (2012). The cost of cancer care: Part II. Oncology, 26(11).
Kay, J. F., (2007). Health care benchmarking. Medical bulletin, 21(2). Retrieved from http://www.fmshk.org/database/articles/06mbdrflkay.pdf
Meropol, N. J., Schrag, D., Smith, T. J., Mulvey, T. M., Langdon, R. M., Blum, D., Ubel, P. A., & Schnipper, L. E. (2009). Journal of Clinical Oncology, 27, 1-7.
O’ Donnell, M. P. (2002). Health promotion in the workplace (2nd ed.). Albany, NY: Delmar Thomson Learning Inc.
