QI Awards 2018 - The Interprofessional Malignant Bowel Management Program
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has significantly reduced the length of stay for gynecologic cancer patients with malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) by transitioning to a model of care where people with the condition, or at risk of it, are managed as outpatients by a multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses.
The Interprofessional Malignant Bowel Management Program was introduced at the Centre to identify people with or at risk of MBO, a common complication in women with gynecologic cancers that can lead to serious illness or, in severe cases, death. The program triages patients according to their diagnosis or risk level, and then manages their care using a standardized approach.
As part of the program, clinical guidelines were created to ensure standardized care for patients both in the hospital and at home, as well as treatment algorithms for patients at risk of developing MBO. In addition, multidisciplinary case conferences helped to ensure treatment consistency between healthcare teams. Resources for patients were also developed to help manage their symptoms.
To learn more about the Quality and Innovation (QI) Awards, visit http://www.cqco.ca/awards