(US Oncology: Houston) -- A new oncology practice management model adapted from a successful manufacturing process is yielding substantial results for enhancing patient access to advanced cancer care while improving efficiency.

The model, developed by the US Oncology Practice Quality and Efficiency (PQE) program committee, stresses defining and measuring a problem, determining root causes, mobilizing change initiatives, and sustaining improvements, according to David Fryefield, M.D., PQE committee chair and US Oncology network member. Oncology practices that have introduced the PQE model have realized shorter patient-wait times, increased efficiency of chemotherapy staff and infusion room resources, improvements to the timeliness and completeness of orders, and improved efficiency for physicians, who can then devote more time to patient care. 

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