The goal of this single center prospective cross-sectional study is to identify the facilitators and barriers in the course of the disease that starts when symptoms first arise until patients with solid and hematologic malignancies arrive in the emergency department (ED). The main question it aims to answer are: Is there a potential relation between the lag-time and the ED length of stay (LOS) and the chance of admission. Participants will be asked to participate in a one-time interview, that focusses on the pre-admission process.
The goal of this single center prospective cross-sectional study is to identify the facilitators and barriers in the course of the disease that starts when symptoms first arise until patients with solid and hematologic malignancies arrive in the emergency department (ED). The main question it aims to answer are: Is there a potential relation between the lag-time and the emergency department length of stay and the chance of admission. Participants will be asked to participate in a one-time interview, that focusses on the pre-admission process. The interview focuses on several parts of the (pre-)admission process: The first part is regarding the timeline that led to an ED visit. The investigators will establish, when and which symptoms were first detected. The second part are regarding the number and type of health care workers that were contacted before visiting the ED. The third part will be about the actions that were taken before the ED visit.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
75
The interview focuses on several parts of the (pre-)admission process: The first part is regarding the barriers and facilitators encountered during the (pre-)admission process. The second part will focus on the timeline that led to an emergency department (ED) visit. It will be established when and which symptoms were first detected. The third part is regarding the number and type of health care workers that were contacted before visiting the ED. The fourth part will be about the actions and considerations taken before the ED visit.
Erasmus MC
Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
Clusters of facilitators experienced by cancer patients.
Different (sub)clusters of facilitators experienced by cancer patients visiting the emergency department (ED)
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
clusters of barriers experienced by cancer patients.
Different (sub)clusters of barriers experienced by cancer patients visiting the ED
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Time-to-speak
The time between the first notice of symptoms and the first time these complaints were spoken out to the primary giver
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Time-to-contact
The time between the first time complaints are spoken out and contact is made with a healthcare professional
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Time-to-present
The time between the first contact with a healthcare professional and the presentation at the ED
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Difference in group average lag-time between day, evening and night
Difference in group average lag-time between day, evening and night
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Difference in group average lag-time between weekdays (Monday 08:00 till Friday 23:59) and weekend (Saturday 00:00 and Monday 7:59)
Difference in group average lag-time between weekdays (Monday 08:00 till Friday 23:59) and weekend (Saturday 00:00 and Monday 7:59)
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Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Correlation between number of contacted healthcare providers before presentation at the ED and the lag- time.
Correlation between number of contacted healthcare providers before presentation at the ED and the lag- time.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Willingness to participate
the percentage of people that participated in this study in comparison to the people approached for this study.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Lag-time
The time between the first onset of symptoms and a visit to the ED.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
ED length of stay (LOS)
The time a patient spends in the ED
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Disposition
The outcome of a visit to the ED, being either admission or home
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Patient characteristics
Age, sex, type of cancer, type of complaint, triage category, number of prior visits
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Correlation between lag-time and ED-LOS
Correlation between lag-time and ED-LOS
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Correlation between lag-time and disposition
Correlation between lag-time and disposition
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Correlation between lag-time and patient characteristics
Correlation between lag-time and patient characteristics
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
ED crowding
Measure of business of the ED, composed of the number of patients in the ED and the color coding used for crowding
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months