The Urology Clinic in Helsingborg has succeeded in shortening the examination and treatment time in case of suspected bladder cancer. Previously, about seven percent received timely investigation and treatment. Now they have succeeded in raising the percentage to nearly 80 percent.
– It’s the people behind the numbers that matter. What motivates us is not to achieve a certain percentage, but to help more patients in the best ways. says Helen Noreen, Director of the Urology Unit.
Bladder cancer is a malignant disease that tends to get worse if left untreated. However, if cancer is caught early, it is often possible to get rid of it.
Every little part matters
One of the first steps in improvement work was to identify where the process often stopped. Bottlenecks that could affect yourself have found solutions within the team. When bottlenecks associated with other parts of care were discovered, solutions were found in collaboration with the companies involved.
-We were able to identify a lot of small, sometimes seemingly mundane, things that slowed down the process. Overall, all the small steps taken made a big difference in the big picture. At the same time, we have gained a lot by increasing our understanding of the working methods of our various businesses. For example, we found that if we submitted a sample to the pathologist before one o’clock on a Friday, we won a full day, compared to if we submitted the sample later that day, says Therese Anderson, Special Donation Fund Coordinator.
Informed patients
Previously, patients received written invitations. Nowadays, they instead receive a phone call before the first visit. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of patients canceling their appointments.
– There can be many reasons why a patient may choose to cancel their appointment. You may not have fully understood what the doctor at the health center told you – a cancer report often triggers anxiety and fear, which can make it difficult to absorb the information. In conversation, we provide information and have the opportunity to answer questions. In this way, we give everyone the best possible conditions to make informed decisions about their health, says Marika Pask, coordinator of the private donations organization.
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