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Kraus AC, Iqbal Z, Cardan RA, Popple RA, Stanley DN, Shen S, Pogue JA, Wu X, Lee K, Marcrom S, Cardenas CE. Prospective Evaluation of Automated Contouring for CT-Based Brachytherapy for Gynecologic Malignancies. Adv Radiat Oncol 2024; 9:101417. [PMID: 38435965 PMCID: PMC10906166 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2023.101417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The use of deep learning to auto-contour organs at risk (OARs) in gynecologic radiation treatment is well established. Yet, there is limited data investigating the prospective use of auto-contouring in clinical practice. In this study, we assess the accuracy and efficiency of auto-contouring OARs for computed tomography-based brachytherapy treatment planning of gynecologic malignancies. Methods and Materials An inhouse contouring tool automatically delineated 5 OARs in gynecologic radiation treatment planning: the bladder, small bowel, sigmoid, rectum, and urethra. Accuracy of each auto-contour was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale: a score of 5 indicated the contour could be used without edits, while a score of 1 indicated the contour was unusable. During scoring, automated contours were edited and subsequently used for treatment planning. Dice similarity coefficient, mean surface distance, 95% Hausdorff distance, Hausdorff distance, and dosimetric changes between original and edited contours were calculated. Contour approval time and total planning time of a prospective auto-contoured (AC) cohort were compared with times from a retrospective manually contoured (MC) cohort. Results Thirty AC cases from January 2022 to July 2022 and 31 MC cases from July 2021 to January 2022 were included. The mean (±SD) Likert score for each OAR was the following: bladder 4.77 (±0.58), small bowel 3.96 (±0.91), sigmoid colon 3.92 (±0.81), rectum 4.6 (±0.71), and urethra 4.27 (±0.78). No ACs required major edits. All OARs had a mean Dice similarity coefficient > 0.86, mean surface distance < 0.48 mm, 95% Hausdorff distance < 3.2 mm, and Hausdorff distance < 10.32 mm between original and edited contours. There was no significant difference in dose-volume histogram metrics (D2.0 cc/D0.1 cc) between original and edited contours (P values > .05). The average time to plan approval in the AC cohort was 19% less than the MC cohort. (AC vs MC, 117.0 + 18.0 minutes vs 144.9 ± 64.5 minutes, P = .045). Conclusions Automated contouring is useful and accurate in clinical practice. Auto-contouring OARs streamlines radiation treatment workflows and decreases time required to design and approve gynecologic brachytherapy plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigayle C. Kraus
- Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Zohaib Iqbal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Rex A. Cardan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Richard A. Popple
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Dennis N. Stanley
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Sui Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Joel A. Pogue
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Xingen Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Samuel Marcrom
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Carlos E. Cardenas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Iachecen F, Dallagassa MR, Portela Santos EA, Carvalho DR, Ioshii SO. Is it possible to automate the discovery of process maps for the time-driven activity-based costing method? A systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1408. [PMID: 38093275 PMCID: PMC10720189 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10411-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main objective of this manuscript was to identify the methods used to create process maps for care pathways that utilized the time-driven activity-based costing method. METHODS This is a systematic mapping review. Searches were performed in the Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic literature databases from 2004 to September 25, 2022. The included studies reported practical cases from healthcare institutions in all medical fields as long as the time-driven activity-based costing method was employed. We used the time-driven activity-based costing method and analyzed the created process maps and a qualitative approach to identify the main fields. RESULTS A total of 412 studies were retrieved, and 70 articles were included. Most of the articles are related to the fields of orthopedics and childbirth-related to hospital surgical procedures. We also identified various studies in the field of oncology and telemedicine services. The main methods for creating the process maps were direct observational practices, complemented by the involvement of multidisciplinary teams through surveys and interviews. Only 33% of the studies used hospital documents or healthcare data records to integrate with the process maps, and in 67% of the studies, the created maps were not validated by specialists. CONCLUSIONS The application of process mining techniques effectively automates models generated through clinical pathways. They are applied to the time-driven activity-based costing method, making the process more agile and contributing to the visualization of high degrees of variations encountered in processes, thereby making it possible to enhance and achieve continual improvements in processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franciele Iachecen
- Graduate Program in Health Technology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná., 1155, Imaculada Conceição st., Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-90, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Rosano Dallagassa
- Graduate Program in Health Technology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná., 1155, Imaculada Conceição st., Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-90, Brazil
| | | | - Deborah Ribeiro Carvalho
- Graduate Program in Health Technology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná., 1155, Imaculada Conceição st., Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-90, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Ossamu Ioshii
- Graduate Program in Health Technology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná., 1155, Imaculada Conceição st., Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-90, Brazil
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Hande V, Chopra S, Polo A, Mittal P, Kohle S, Ghadi Y, Mulani J, Gupta A, Kinhikar R, Agarwal JP. Transitioning India to advanced image based adaptive brachytherapy: a national impact analysis of upgrading National Cancer Grid cervix cancer guidelines. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. SOUTHEAST ASIA 2023; 16:100218. [PMID: 37694176 PMCID: PMC10485789 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Background High-dose-rate image guided brachytherapy (IGBT) for cervical cancer leads to improved local control and reduced toxicity and is a critical component of treatment. However, transition to IGBT requires capacity upscaling. An institutional activity mapping and national impact analysis of such a transition were undertaken to understand feasibility. Methods Between September 2020 and March 2021, activity mapping was conducted in a high-volume centre that triaged cervical cancer patients for brachytherapy into four workflows; A: two-dimensional (2D) X-Ray point A-based intracavitary brachytherapy, B: CT point A-based intracavitary brachytherapy, C: MRI/CT-volume based intracavitary brachytherapy, D: MRI/CT volume-based intracavitary +/- interstitial brachytherapy. Clinical process time mapping was performed, and case scenarios for transition were modelled at the institutional and national levels based on available incidence and infrastructure levels. Treatment capacity changes were calculated, and potential strategies for workflow reorganisation were proposed. Findings Eighty-four patients were included in the study. The total time taken for the workflows A, B, C, and D were 176 min (57-208), 224 min (74-260), 267 min (101-302), and 348 min (232-383), respectively. The transition from workflow A to D through sequential steps led to 35%, 49%, and 64% loss of treatment capacity in the index institution. Solutions such as 10-hour or 12-hour overlapping shifts increased treatment capacity by 25% and 50% and performing single implants and delivering multiple fractions increased capacity by 100%. Twenty-three Indian states and Union Territories are predicted to be able to transition to advanced workflows. For four Indian states, it may be detrimental considering the current infrastructure level, and eight Indian states lacked brachytherapy access. Further financial investment is required in the latter 12 states for transition to advanced workflows. Interpretation Our study demonstrates that unplanned transition to IGBT can lead to treatment capacity loss and increase in waiting lists to access treatment. The proposed solutions of workflow reorganisation, using strategies such as single brachytherapy applicator implant and delivering multiple treatment fractions can improve access to treatment for women with cervix cancer in resource-strained and high patient-volume settings. We recommend state-wise solutions for the upscale from conventional 2D workflows to IGBT, subject to the availability of skilled personnel, infrastructure and training. Financial investments may be needed in some states to achieve this goal. Funding International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supported the salary of VH through project E33042 that focussed on implementation strategies of image guided brachytherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Hande
- Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra, India
| | - Supriya Chopra
- Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra, India
| | - Alfredo Polo
- Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Prachi Mittal
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra, India
| | - Satish Kohle
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra, India
| | - Yogesh Ghadi
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jaahid Mulani
- Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ankita Gupta
- Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rajesh Kinhikar
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jai Prakash Agarwal
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra, India
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Li B, Hirata E, Trejo JM, Garcia B, Chang B, Malhotra S, Ning M, Sarria GJ. Exploring the Cost of Radiation Therapy Delivery for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer in a Public and a Private Center in Latin America Using Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 115:1205-1216. [PMID: 36922083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, California; Rayos Contra Cancer, San Francisco, California.
| | - Emily Hirata
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Juan Manuel Trejo
- Department of Radiotherapy, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Bertha Garcia
- Department of Radiotherapy, AUNA Clinica Delgado, Lima, Peru
| | - Betty Chang
- Rayos Contra Cancer, San Francisco, California; University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sameeksha Malhotra
- Rayos Contra Cancer, San Francisco, California; Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, Alabama
| | - Matthew Ning
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gustavo J Sarria
- Department of Radiotherapy, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, Lima, Peru; Department of Radiotherapy, AUNA Clinica Delgado, Lima, Peru
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Lee CY, Kaza E, Harris TC, O'Farrell DA, King MT, Dyer MA, Cormack RA, Buzurovic I. Catheter reconstruction and dosimetric verification of MRI-only treatment planning (MRTP) for interstitial HDR brachytherapy using PETRA sequence. Phys Med Biol 2023; 68. [PMID: 36584396 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/acaf48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Objective. The feasibility of MRI-only treatment planning (MRTP) for interstitial high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) was investigated for patients diagnosed with gynecologic cancer.Approach. A clinical MRTP workflow utilizing a 'pointwise encoding time reduction with radial acquisition (PETRA)' sequence was proposed. This is a clinically available MRI sequence optimized to improve interstitial catheter-tissue contrast. Interstitial needles outside the obturator region were reconstructed using MR images only. For catheters penetrating through the obturator, a library-based reconstruction was proposed. In this work, dwell coordinates from the clinical CT-based reconstruction were used as the surrogate for the library-based approach. For MR-only plan, dwell times were activated and assigned as in the clinical plans. The catheter reconstruction was assessed by comparing dwell position coordinates. The dosimetric comparisons between a clinical plan and MR-only plan were assessed for physical and EQD2 dose and volume parameters forD90,D50andD98for clinical target volume (CTV) andD2cc,D0.1ccandD5ccfor OARs.Main results. Catheter reconstruction was possible using the optimized PETRA sequence on MR images. An overall reconstruction difference of 1.7 ± 0.5 mm, attributed to registration-based errors, was found compared to the CT-based reconstruction. The MRTP workflow has the potential to generate a treatment plan with an equivalent dosimetric quality compared to the conventional CT/MRI-based approach. For CTVD90, physical and EQD2 dose and volume parameter differences were 1.5 ± 1.9% and 0.7 ± 1.0 Gy, respectively. ForD2ccOARs, DVH (EQD2) differences were -0.4 ± 1.1% (-0.2 ± 0.5 Gy), 0.5 ± 2.8% (0.2 ± 1.3 Gy) and -0.5 ± 1.4% (-0.2 ± 0.5 Gy) for rectum, bladder, and sigmoid, respectively.Significance. With the proposed MRTP approach, CT imaging may no longer be needed in HDR BT for interstitial gynecologic treatment. A proof-of-concept study was conducted to demonstrated that MRTP using PETRA is feasible, with comparable dosimetric results to the conventional CT/MRI-based approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Y Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Evangelia Kaza
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Thomas C Harris
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Desmond A O'Farrell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Martin T King
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Michael A Dyer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Robert A Cormack
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Ivan Buzurovic
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
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Mulherkar R, Keller A, Showalter TN, Thaker N, Beriwal S. A primer on time-driven activity-based costing in brachytherapy. Brachytherapy 2021; 21:43-48. [PMID: 34376368 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Emphasis on value-based healthcare has led to increasing use of time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) across medical departments. When applied to brachytherapy, TDABC provides insight into differences in costs across various modes of therapy, the nuances that drive cost including institutional factors and involved personnel, and discrepancies in reimbursement which influence clinical practice. This is especially important with the new alternative payment model (APM) in radiation oncology which offers fixed reimbursement per 90-day episode of care. The TDABC model can thus be utilized to improve efficiency, optimize the role of ancillary staff in treatment planning and care delivery, and implement shorter fraction schedules when clinically appropriate to promote value-based care. Ultimately, application of this methodology could potentiate changes to practice and incentives to improve patient care. In this review, we discuss the utility and limitations of TDABC in the context of existing studies in brachytherapy which have utilized this methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Mulherkar
- Drexel University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew Keller
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Timothy N Showalter
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Nikhil Thaker
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Arizona Oncology, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Sushil Beriwal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Williams VM, Kahn JM, Thaker NG, Beriwal S, Nguyen PL, Arthur D, Petereit D, Dyer BA. The Case for Brachytherapy: Why It Deserves a Renaissance. Adv Radiat Oncol 2021; 6:100605. [PMID: 33723523 PMCID: PMC7940781 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2020.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent global events related to the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic have significantly changed the medical landscape and led to a shift in oncologic treatment perspectives. There is a renewed focus on preserving treatment outcomes while maintaining medical accessibility and decreasing medical resource utilization. Brachytherapy, which is a vital part of the treatment course of many cancers (particularly prostate and gynecologic cancers), has the ability to deliver hypofractionated radiation and thus shorten treatment time. Studies in the early 2000s demonstrated a decline in brachytherapy usage despite data showing equivalent or even superior treatment outcomes for brachytherapy in disease sites, such as the prostate and cervix. However, newer data suggest that this trend may be reversing. The renewed call for shorter radiation courses based on data showing equivalent outcomes will likely establish hypofractionated radiation as the standard of care across multiple disease sites. With shifting reimbursement, brachytherapy represents the pinnacle in hypofractionated, conformal radiation therapy, and with extensive long-term data in support of the treatment modality brachytherapy is primed for a renaissance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vonetta M. Williams
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jenna M. Kahn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Nikhil G. Thaker
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Arizona Oncology, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Sushil Beriwal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Paul L. Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Douglas Arthur
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Daniel Petereit
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Monument Health Cancer Care Institute, Rapid City, South Dakota
| | - Brandon A. Dyer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Patel RR, Verma V, Barsoumian HB, Ning MS, Chun SG, Tang C, Chang JY, Lee PP, Gandhi S, Balter P, Dunn JD, Chen D, Puebla-Osorio N, Cortez MA, Welsh JW. Use of Multi-Site Radiation Therapy for Systemic Disease Control. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 109:352-364. [PMID: 32798606 PMCID: PMC10644952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic cancer is a heterogeneous entity, some of which could benefit from local consolidative radiation therapy (RT). Although randomized evidence is growing in support of using RT for oligometastatic disease, a highly active area of investigation relates to whether RT could benefit patients with polymetastatic disease. This article highlights the preclinical and clinical rationale for using RT for polymetastatic disease, proposes an exploratory framework for selecting patients best suited for these types of treatments, and briefly reviews potential challenges. The goal of this hypothesis-generating review is to address personalized multimodality systemic treatment for patients with metastatic cancer. The rationale for using high-dose RT is primarily for local control and immune activation in either oligometastatic or polymetastatic disease. However, the primary application of low-dose RT is to activate distinct antitumor immune pathways and modulate the tumor stroma in efforts to better facilitate T cell infiltration. We explore clinical cases involving high- and low-dose RT to demonstrate the potential efficacy of such treatment. We then group patients by extent of disease burden to implement high- and/or low-dose RT. Patients with low-volume disease may receive high-dose RT to all sites as part of an oligometastatic paradigm. Subjects with high-volume disease (for whom standard of care remains palliative RT only) could be treated with a combination of high-dose RT to a few sites for immune activation, while receiving low-dose RT to several remaining lesions to enhance systemic responses from high-dose RT and immunotherapy. We further discuss how emerging but speculative concepts such as immune function may be integrated into this approach and examine therapies currently under investigation that may help address immune deficiencies. The review concludes by addressing challenges in using RT for polymetastatic disease, such as concerns about treatment planning workflows, treatment times, dose constraints for multiple-isocenter treatments, and economic considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshal R Patel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Vivek Verma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hampartsoum B Barsoumian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Matthew S Ning
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Stephen G Chun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Chad Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Joe Y Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Percy P Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Saumil Gandhi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Peter Balter
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Joe Dan Dunn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Dawei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nahum Puebla-Osorio
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Maria Angelica Cortez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - James W Welsh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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Cost Analysis of Selected Radiotherapeutic Modalities for Prostate Cancer Treatment-Czech Republic Case Study for the Purposes of Hospital Based HTA. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9010098. [PMID: 33477819 PMCID: PMC7832912 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to calculate the costs of prostate cancer radiotherapy in a regional hospital Department of Radiation Oncology equipped with Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) radiation technology, using activity based costing (ABC), and to compare the costs of both methods at the level of component treatment process activities and with respect to insurance reimbursements. The costing was performed based on a sample of 273 IMRT VMAT patients and 312 3D-CRT patients in a regional hospital in the period from 2018 to 2019. The research has highlighted the necessity to place emphasis on factors that may skew the costing results. The resulting output has been supplemented by a sensitivity analysis, whereas the modeled parameter is represented by the time required for one patient fraction on a linear accelerator and the time the Radiology Assistant needs to prepare the complete radiation plan as part of radiotherapy planning. Moreover, the effects of the received grant, in the form of calculated write-offs, are also considered. The case study uses the example of radiotherapy to demonstrate the potential of ABC and suggests considering the application of this method as an effective management tool for cost and economic evaluation as part of comprehensive hospital assessment under the Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment (HB-HTA) initiative.
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Go JA, Weng CY. Process Mapping and Activity-Based Costing of the Intravitreal Injection Procedure. Curr Eye Res 2020; 46:694-703. [PMID: 32940071 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2020.1825747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE/AIM OF THE STUDY To quantify the cost of performing an intravitreal injection (IVI) utilizing activity-based costing (ABC), which allocates a cost to each resource involved in a manufacturing process. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective, observational cohort study was performed at an urban, multi-specialty ophthalmology practice affiliated with an academic institution. Fourteen patients scheduled for an IVI-only visit with a retina ophthalmologist were observed from clinic entry to exit to create a process map of time and resource utilization. Indirect costs were allocated with ABC and direct costs were estimated based on process map observations, internal accounting records, employee interviews, and nationally-reported metrics. The primary outcome measure was the cost of an IVI procedure in United States dollars. Secondary outcomes included operating income (cost subtracted from revenue) of an IVI and patient-centric time utilization for an IVI. RESULTS The total cost of performing an IVI was $128.28; average direct material, direct labor, and overhead costs were $2.14, $97.88, and $28.26, respectively. Compared to the $104.40 reimbursement set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Current Procedural Terminology code 67028, this results in a negative operating income of -$23.88 (-22.87%). The median clinic resource-utilizing time to complete an IVI was 32:58 minutes (range [19:24-1:28:37]); the greatest bottleneck was physician-driven electronic health record documentation. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides an objective and accurate cost estimate of the IVI procedure and illustrates how ABC may be applied in a clinical context. Our findings suggest that IVIs may currently be undervalued by payors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Go
- School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Christina Y Weng
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Ben Taub General Hospital, Harris Health System, Houston, Texas, USA
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Silva SR, Gaskins JT, Nichols MR, Metzinger DS, Todd SL, Eldredge-Hindy HB. Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Kentucky. Gynecol Oncol 2020; 158:446-451. [PMID: 32456989 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to assess how the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Kentucky has changed from 1995 through 2017. Additionally, trends in incidence and mortality across different geographic areas and between different races were evaluated. METHODS Age-adjusted annual incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer were collected from the Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR). A quadratic fit model was used to evaluate changes in the incidence and mortality over time and to compare differences in cervical cancer incidence and mortality by: 1) rural versus urban counties, 2) Appalachian versus non-Appalachian counties, and 3) black versus white women. RESULTS Overall, the incidence of cervical cancer has significantly decreased throughout Kentucky since 1995. When comparing different geographic regions, the incidence was 14% and 23% higher in rural and Appalachian counties, respectively, compared to urban and non-Appalachian counties (p < 0.0001) throughout the study period. The incidence of cervical cancer was significantly higher in black women compared to white women from 1995 through 2007, but since 2008 there has been no significant difference in cervical cancer incidence based on race. Similar to incidence rates, mortality from cervical cancer was 29% higher in Appalachia (p = 0.0004) throughout the studied time period. Black women had higher age-adjusted mortality than white women until 2012, but since that time there has not been a significant difference in cervical cancer mortality based on race. CONCLUSIONS Women residing in rural and Appalachian Kentucky have higher cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott R Silva
- Department of Radiation Oncology, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 529 S. Jackson St., Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America.
| | - Jeremy T Gaskins
- Department of Bioinformatics & Biostatistics, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, 485 E. Gray St., Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America
| | - Matthew R Nichols
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 529 S. Jackson St., Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America
| | - Daniel S Metzinger
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 529 S. Jackson St., Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America
| | - Sarah L Todd
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 529 S. Jackson St., Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America
| | - Harriet B Eldredge-Hindy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 529 S. Jackson St., Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America
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Ning MS, Venkatesan AM, Stafford RJ, Bui TP, Carlson R, Bailard NS, Vedam S, Davis R, Olivieri ND, Guzman AB, Incalcaterra JR, McKelvey FA, Thaker NG, Rauch GM, Tang C, Frank SJ, Joyner MM, Lin LL, Jhingran A, Eifel PJ, Klopp AH. Developing an intraoperative 3T MRI-guided brachytherapy program within a diagnostic imaging suite: Methods, process workflow, and value-based analysis. Brachytherapy 2020; 19:427-437. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Pezzi TA, Ning MS, Thaker NG, Boyce-Fappiano D, Gjyshi O, Olivieri ND, Guzman AB, Incalcaterra JR, Mesko S, Gandhi S, Chun S, Tang C, Frank SJ, Gomez DR. Evaluating single-institution resource costs of consolidative radiotherapy for oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer using time-driven activity-based costing. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2020; 23:80-84. [PMID: 32529054 PMCID: PMC7283089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Consolidative radiotherapy (RT) has been shown to improve overall survival in oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We quantified the costs of RT in oligometastatic NSCLC, by applying time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC). This analysis uses TDABC to estimate the relative internal costs of various RT strategies associated with treating oligometastatic NSCLC. This methodology will become increasingly relevant in context of the anticipated mandate of alternative/bundled payment models.
Background: Consolidative radiotherapy (RT) has been shown to improve overall survival in oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as demonstrated by a growing number of prospective trials. Objective: We quantified the costs of delivery of consolidative RT for common clinical pathways associated with treating oligometastatic NSCLC, by applying time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) methodology. Methods: Full cycle costs were evaluated for 4 consolidative treatment regimens: (Regimen #1) 10-fraction 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) as palliation of a distant site; (#2) 15-fraction intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) to the primary thoracic disease; (#3) 15-fraction IMRT to the primary plus 4-fraction stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) to a single oligometastatic site; and (#4) 15-fraction IMRT to the primary plus two courses of 4-fraction SABR for two oligometastatic sites. Results: For each of the four treatment regimens, personnel represented a greater proportion of total cost when compared with equipment, totaling 61.0%, 65.9%, 66.2%, and 66.4% of the total cost of each care cycle, respectively. In total, a 10-fraction regimen of 3D-CRT to a distant site represented just 37.2% of the total cost of the most expensive course. Compared to total costs for 15-fraction IMRT alone, each additional sequential course of 4-fraction SABR imparted a cost increase of 43%. Conclusion: This analysis uses TDABC to estimate the relative internal costs of various RT strategies associated with treating oligometastatic NSCLC. This methodology will become increasingly relevant to each organization in context of the anticipated mandate of alternative/bundled payment models for radiation oncology by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd A Pezzi
- Division of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthew S Ning
- Division of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nikhil G Thaker
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Arizona Oncology, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - Olsi Gjyshi
- Division of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Alexis B Guzman
- Department of Clinical Revenue/Reimbursement, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX, USA
| | - James R Incalcaterra
- Department of Financial Planning & Analysis, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX, USA
| | - Shane Mesko
- Division of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Saumil Gandhi
- Division of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stephen Chun
- Division of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chad Tang
- Division of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven J Frank
- Division of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Daniel R Gomez
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Clinical utility and value contribution of an MRI-positive line marker for image-guided brachytherapy in gynecologic malignancies. Brachytherapy 2020; 19:305-315. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Suralik G, Rudra S, Dutta SW, Yu J, Sanders JC, Schad MD, Janowski EM, Su L, Libby B, Showalter SL, Lobo JM, Showalter TN. Time-driven activity-based costing of a novel form of CT-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy intraoperative radiation therapy compared with conventional breast intraoperative radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer. Brachytherapy 2020; 19:348-354. [PMID: 32229072 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intraoperative radiation therapy is an emerging option for adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, although it is not currently considered standard of care in the United States. We applied time-driven activity-based costing to compare two alternative methods of breast intraoperative radiation therapy, including treatment similar to the techniques employed in the TARGIT-A clinical trial and a novel version with CT-guidance and high-dose-rate (HRD) brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS Process maps were created to describe the steps required to deliver intraoperative radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer at each institution. The components of intraoperative radiation therapy included personnel, equipment, and consumable supplies. The capacity cost rate was determined for each resource. Based on this, the delivery costs were calculated for each regimen. For comparison across centers, we did not account for indirect facilities costs and interinstitutional differences in personnel salaries. RESULTS The CT-guided, HRD form of intraoperative radiation therapy costs more to deliver ($4,126.21) than the conventional method studied in the TARGIT-A trial ($1,070.45). The cost of the brachytherapy balloon applicator ($2,750) was the primary driver of the estimated differences in costs. Consumable supplies were the largest contributor to the brachytherapy-based approach, whereas personnel costs were the largest contributor to costs of the standard form of intraoperative radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS When compared with the more established method of intraoperative radiation therapy using a portable superficial photon unit, the delivery of treatment with CT guidance and HDR brachytherapy is associated with substantially higher costs. The excess costs are driven primarily by the cost of the disposable brachytherapy balloon applicator and, to a lesser extent, additional personnel costs. Future work should include evaluation of a less expensive brachytherapy applicator to increase the anticipated value of brachytherapy-based intraoperative radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg Suralik
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Sonali Rudra
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Sunil W Dutta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Jialu Yu
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Jason C Sanders
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Michael D Schad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Einsley-Marie Janowski
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Lucy Su
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Bruce Libby
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Shayna L Showalter
- Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Jennifer M Lobo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Timothy N Showalter
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA.
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Time-driven activity-based costing of adjuvant vaginal cuff brachytherapy for uterine cancer in an integrated brachytherapy suite. Brachytherapy 2020; 19:176-180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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