COVID-19 and Oncology: Operationalizing Best Practices Across Collaborative Health Systems

To plan for a proactive approach to support patients traveling for their treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, a network of oncology hospitals worked within existing collaborative agreements to define policies and procedures to transition care for patients living in communities in close proximity to a member institution. Nurse leaders were instrumental in collaborating with and leading interprofessional partners to achieve these outcomes. These efforts led to patients’ abilities to continue treatment in their local community, ensuring continuity of cancer care.

AT A GLANCE

• Continuity of care for individuals with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic requires a collaborative approach to treat individuals in their local communities.
• Leveraging collaborative networks across major healthcare systems and organizations can increase opportunities for patient care to be transferred closer to home, guided by the same policies and protocols as their primary treating institution.
• A network of cancer care organizations created policies and procedures to guide the transition of patients within and between these collaborating organizations to ensure that patients could continue prescribed oncology care despite travel restrictions.