Pilot program of remote monitoring for high-risk patients on antineoplastic treatment.

Authors

Robert Daly

Robert Michael Daly

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Robert Michael Daly , Gilad Kuperman , Alice Zervoudakis , Alice Ro , Ankita Roy , Abigail Baldwin , Rori Salvaggio , Jessie C. Holland , Kimberly Chow , Tara Lauria , Margarita Rozenshteyn , Melissa Zablocki , Yeneat Ophelia Chiu , Nicholas Silva , Claire Perry , Stefania Sokolowski , Isaac Wagner , Brett A Simon , Diane Lauren Reidy , Wendy Perchick

Organizations

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, Winthrop Oncology Hematology Associates, Mineola, NY

Research Funding

No funding received
None

Background: Early detection and management of symptoms in patients with cancer improves outcomes, however, the optimal approach to symptom monitoring and management is unknown. This pilot program uses a mobile health intervention to capture and make accessible symptom data for high-risk patients to mitigate symptom escalation. Methods: Patients initiating antineoplastic treatment at a Memorial Sloan Kettering regional location were eligible. A dedicated staff of RNs and nurse practitioners managed the patients remotely. The technology supporting the program included: 1) a predictive model that identified patients at high risk for a potentially preventable acute care visit; 2) a patient portal enabling daily ecological momentary assessments (EMA); 3) alerts for concerning symptoms; 4) an application that allowed staff to review and trend symptom data; and 5) a secure messaging platform to support communications and televisits between staff and patients. Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated through enrollment (goal ≥25% of new treatment starts) and response rates (completion of > 50% of daily symptom assessments); symptom alerts; perceived value based on qualitative interviews with patients and providers; and acute care usage. Results: Between October 15, 2018 and July 10, 2019, the pilot enrolled 100 high-risk patients with solid tumors and lymphoma initiating antineoplastic treatment (median age: 66 years, 45% female). This represented 29% of patients starting antineoplastics. Over six months of follow-up, the response rate to the daily assessments was 56% and 93% of patients generated a severe symptom alert (Table). Both patients and providers perceived value in the program and 5,010 symptom-related secure messages were shared between staff and enrolled patients during the follow-up period. There was a preliminary signal in acute care usage with a 17% decrease in ED visits compared to a cohort of high-risk unenrolled patients. Conclusions: This pilot program of intensive monitoring of high-risk patients is feasible and holds significant potential to improve patient care and decrease hospital resources. Future work should focus on the optimal cadence of EMAs, the workforce to support remote symptom management, and how best to return symptom data to patients and clinical teams.

Prevalence of symptoms reported at moderate and severe levels on one or more days % (n = 100).

SymptomModerateSevere
Pain73%74%
Anxiety73%21%
Depression70%14%
Functional status66%53%
Diarrhea62%12%
Decreased Oral Intake61%18%
Nausea58%25%
Dyspnea38%22%
Emesis24%9%

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Care Delivery and Regulatory Policy

Track

Care Delivery and Quality Care

Sub Track

Care Delivery

Citation

J Clin Oncol 38: 2020 (suppl; abstr 2027)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.2027

Abstract #

2027

Poster Bd #

19

Abstract Disclosures