Status
Ongoing
In collaboration with the Rijksinstituut voor Ziekte- en Invaliditeitsverzekering (RIZIV) (National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance) the Belgian Cancer Registry (BCR) is evaluating the relationship between the outcomes (survival) of patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer and hospital volume in Belgium. This research aims to recommend the minimum volume for a reference centre.
Research shows that, in Belgium, there is a wide spread of care for patients with the unique diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region. Between 2009 and 2014, these patients were treated at 99 different hospitals, half of which treated a maximum of four patients a year. Head and neck tumour patients treated at high-volume hospitals (>20 patients/year) had a better estimated survival compared to low-volume patient centres (≤20 patients/year). This finding supports the recommendation to centralise head and neck cancer treatment in reference centres (KCE Report 305)Research shows that, in Belgium, there is a wide spread of care for patients with the unique diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region. Between 2009 and 2014, these patients were treated at 99 different hospitals, half of which treated a maximum of four patients a year. Head and neck tumour patients treated at high-volume hospitals (>20 patients/year) had a better estimated survival compared to low-volume patient centres (≤20 patients/year). This finding supports the recommendation to centralise head and neck cancer treatment in reference centres (KCE Report 305).
To calculate quality of care indicators (process indicators and outcomes), BCR uses cancer registration data and data on reimbursed medical services and medication obtained from the Agence InterMutualiste (AIM) (the agency responsible for collating data from Belgium’s seven health insurance funds).
The results of this study will support policy decisions on centralising care for patients with head and neck cancer.
Research shows that, in Belgium, there is a wide spread of care for patients with the unique diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region. Between 2009 and 2014, these patients were treated at 99 different hospitals, half of which treated a maximum of four patients a year. Head and neck tumour patients treated at high-volume hospitals (>20 patients/year) had a better estimated survival compared to low-volume patient centres (≤20 patients/year). This finding supports the recommendation to centralise head and neck cancer treatment in reference centres (KCE Report 305)Research shows that, in Belgium, there is a wide spread of care for patients with the unique diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region. Between 2009 and 2014, these patients were treated at 99 different hospitals, half of which treated a maximum of four patients a year. Head and neck tumour patients treated at high-volume hospitals (>20 patients/year) had a better estimated survival compared to low-volume patient centres (≤20 patients/year). This finding supports the recommendation to centralise head and neck cancer treatment in reference centres (KCE Report 305).
To calculate quality of care indicators (process indicators and outcomes), BCR uses cancer registration data and data on reimbursed medical services and medication obtained from the Agence InterMutualiste (AIM) (the agency responsible for collating data from Belgium’s seven health insurance funds).
The results of this study will support policy decisions on centralising care for patients with head and neck cancer.
Quality of care