Effectiveness of a dedicated therapist on improving prospective identification and pre-operative rehabilitation (PREHAB) to reduce post-operative treatment encounters for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) in a rural and underserved population.

Authors

null

Tara Newberry

Carilion Clinic, Christiansburg, VA

Tara Newberry, Betty Abrahamsen, Heather Dawn Brooks, Charles Bissell

Organizations

Carilion Clinic, Christiansburg, VA, Blue Ridge Cancer Care, Blacksburg, VA

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: The rural and underserved have unique challenges and barriers to receiving evaluation and treatment for BCRL. Prospective identification and PREHAB for those at high risk including mastectomy over age 60, axillary node dissection, and radiation reduces the risk of BCRL and post-operative treatment encounters. In a rural Virginia breast program in 2021, 71% (40/56) of breast cancer (BC) patients were identified as high-risk for BCRL. Only fifteen percent (6/40) of high-risk patients received PREHAB with fifty-two percent (29/56) of total BC patients required post-operative encounters for treatment of BCRL. A quality improvement project to improve these numbers was implemented. Methods: We sought to increase the number of PREHAB encounters for patients at high-risk for developing BCRL and to decrease the total number of BC patients requiring post-operative BCRL treatment encounters. A Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) prospectively identified patients at high-risk for development of BRCL during multidisciplinary breast cancer conference (MBCC). High-risk patients were offered PREHAB appointments, and the rates of PREHAB and post-operative intervention encounters were recorded. Results: In 2022, 76% (51/67) of BC patients were identified as high-risk for developing BCRL. Thirty-seven percent (19/51) received PREHAB, a 22% increase from 2021. The average number of visits was 7.7 visits for patients who received PREHAB and 19.2 visits for patients who did not. Forty-two percent (28/67) of total BC patients required post-operative encounters for treatment of BCRL, a 10% decrease from 2021. Barriers/Challenges: Both providers and patients showed limited engagement in the PREHAB model at the start of the program. Patient barriers to treatment included transportation and time limitations. Conclusions: A dedicated focus including high-risk screening, PREHAB, and a CLT at MBCC, can improve outcomes for BCRL in a rural and underserved population. Future investigation will include measuring BCRL rates over time.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A

Track

Quality, Safety, and Implementation Science,Cost, Value, and Policy,Patient Experience,Survivorship

Sub Track

Prospective Risk Assessment and Reduction

Citation

JCO Oncol Pract 19, 2023 (suppl 11; abstr 399)

DOI

10.1200/OP.2023.19.11_suppl.399

Abstract #

399

Poster Bd #

H9

Abstract Disclosures