Process management method in head and neck cancer patient care.

Journal: Discover oncology
Published Date: May 23, 2025

Abstract

Management of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) is a complex process that involves extensive knowledge on (at least) the discipline of surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology and molecular biology. It includes prevention, cancer treatment, follow up schedule and potential risk from treatment (radiation exposure). A major point is that perhaps now more than ever process management needs to be at the center of the HNC care. Process management transcends all specialties: it should be recognized as a component of the team to embrace rather than fear change. Process management can guarantee the quality of the decisional process and the technical quality of the equipment, such as access to care for all, implementation of technology to control data entry, standardization of procedures and safety. Each step of the process needs adequate controls to avoid errors, ensure optimal treatment strategy and increase patient satisfaction. The application of process management method can lead to reduce treatment start times, fall risk and therefore, improve quality of HNC patient care and safety.

Authors

  • Francesca De Felice
    Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 326, 00161, Rome, Italy. fradefelice@hotmail.it.
  • Valentino Valentini
    Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
  • Francesca Casarano
    Alef Srl, 00162, Rome, Italy.
  • Chiara Gaudino
    Department of Neuroradiology, Policlinico Umberto I, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Cira Rosaria Tiziana Di Gioia
    Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Gianluca Tenore
    Department of Oral Sciences and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Marco Della Monaca
    Department of Oral Sciences and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Andrea Cassoni
    Department of Oral Sciences and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Alessio Cirillo
    Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Alessandro Corsi
    Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Andrea Botticelli
    Department of Clinical Oncology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, School of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
  • Bruna Cerbelli
    Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Andrea Battisti
    Department of Oral Sciences and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Edoardo Brauner
    Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
  • Daniela Messineo
    Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Armando De Virgilio
    Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 4, 20090, Pieve Emanuele, MI, Italy; Otorhinolaryngology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, MI, Italy.
  • Antonio Greco
    2 Complex Unit of Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza," San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy .
  • Daniele Santini
    Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Carlo Catalano
  • Umberto Romeo
    Department of Oral Sciences and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Carlo Della Rocca
    Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
  • Antonella Polimeni
    Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
  • Marco de Vincentiis
    Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome (RM), Italy.

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