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. 2013 Jul;9(4):e154-63.
doi: 10.1200/JOP.2012.000738. Epub 2013 Feb 26.

Efficiency of colorectal cancer care among veterans: analysis of treatment wait times at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers

Ryan P Merkow  1 , Karl Y Bilimoria, Karen L Sherman, Martin D McCarter, Howard S Gordon, David J Bentrem
Affiliations

Efficiency of colorectal cancer care among veterans: analysis of treatment wait times at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers

Ryan P Merkow et al. J Oncol Pract. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: Timeliness of cancer treatment is an important aspect of health care quality. Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) are expected to treat a growing number of patients with cancer. Our objectives were to examine treatment times from diagnosis to first-course therapy for patients with colon and rectal cancers and assess factors associated with prolonged wait times.

Methods: From the VA Central Cancer Registry, patients who underwent colon or rectal resection for cancer from 1998 to 2008 were identified. Time from diagnosis to definitive cancer-directed therapy was measured, and multivariable regression methods were used to determine predictors of prolonged wait times for colon (≥ 45 days) and rectal (≥ 60 days) cancers.

Results: From 124 VAMCs, 14,097 patients underwent colectomy, and 3,390 underwent rectal resection for cancer. For colon cancer, the median time to treatment increased by 68% over time (P < .001). From 2007 to 2008, the median time to colectomy was 32 days. Predictors of prolonged wait times included age ≥ 55 years (v < 55 years), time period (2007 to 2008 v 1998 to 2000), black race (v white), marriage status (married v unmarried), high-volume center status (v low volume), and treatment at a different hospital (v same hospital as initial diagnosis; all P < .05). For rectal cancer, the overall median time to first-course treatment increased by 74% (P < .001). From 2007 to 2008, the median time to proctectomy was 47 days. Similar predictors of prolonged wait times were identified for rectal cancer.

Conclusion: Time to first treatment has increased for patients with colon and rectal cancers at VAMCs. Patient, tumor, and hospital factors are associated with prolonged time to treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Median days to first-course therapy for patients with colon and rectal cancers undergoing surgical resection at Veterans Affairs hospitals by surgical volume and location of diagnosis and treatment (1998 to 2008).
Figure A1.
Figure A1.
Number of weeks from diagnosis to first-course therapy for patients with stages I to III colon and rectal cancers undergoing surgical resection at Veterans Affairs hospitals (1998 to 2008).
Figure A2.
Figure A2.
Hospital-level median number of days to first-course therapy for patients with colon and rectal cancers undergoing surgical resection at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals (1998 to 2008).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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