Development of a self-check programme for improvement in quality of care in outpatient chemotherapy centres

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to develop a self-check programme as a tool for multidisciplinary teams to improve the quality of care provided in outpatient chemotherapy centres. Methods We used the modified Delphi method to reach a group consensus. Potential indicators were submitted to each panel member, who was asked to rate each using a 9-point scale (1, extremely inappropriate; 5, equivocal; 9, extremely appropriate). The panellists rated a list of indicators over four iterative rounds according to two perspectives. (1) From a short-term perspective, if the indicators are not achieved, improvement is required in 6 months to 1 year; (2) from a medium-term perspective, although indicators are less crucial, efforts should be made to operate a higher-quality outpatient chemotherapy centre. Key findings Our Delphi panel comprised 12 experts: 4 physicians, 4 pharmacists and 4 nurses. All 12 panellists responded to the first- and second-round surveys and 11 (92%) responded to the third- and fourth-round surveys. Moreover, nine (75%) experts participated in each panel meeting. After the Delphi survey, 49 indicators were selected from a short-term perspective and 16 from a medium-term perspective for the self-check programme. Finally, the selected indicators were accepted by the consensus of all members. Conclusions We developed a self-check programme to improve the quality of care related to outpatient chemotherapy centres. It comprises 65 indicators across nine domains. We plan to conduct a pilot study to assess the usefulness and uptake of the self-check programme.