A population-based evaluation of the impact of interventions for improving care to cancer patients in the home setting

Abstract

A federally-funded demonstration project was conducted by the Illinois Cancer Council and the Illinois Department of Public Health to determine if the introduction of modest changes in the home health system would effect certain cancer patient patterns of care and outcomes. Certified home health agencies in two health planning regions of Illinois were randomized into one of three study groups, two of which received an intervention (oncology nurse specialist with continuing education on cancer, or continuing education on cancer alone), and the third was an "observation only" group. The pre/post differences of a number of evaluation parameters were investigated. Overall, the group which received the services of the oncology nurse specialist and continuing education on cancer demonstrated the largest percentage increase in cancer patient referrals to home care, and experienced a significant decrease in cancer patient mortality. No significant difference among cancer patients in the three study groups was noted for hospitalization rate or incidence of physiologic complications while on agency caseload.