Dear Navigators, Social Workers, Administrators, and Clinical Staff,
The development of the 35 metrics by the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) is a great source of pride for me and all of us at AONN+. Having a universal tool to measure patient experience, clinical outcome, and return on investment is critical to ensuring the success not only of navigation programs but oncology programs at large.
In this issue, we present a “crosswalk” of information—specifically, we demonstrate the synergy between the AONN+ metrics and national oncology standards and indicators as defined by the Commission on Cancer National Accreditation Program, the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, the Oncology Care Model, the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. In the article by Ms Johnston and Ms Strusowski entitled “AONN+ Evidence-Based Oncology Navigation Metrics Crosswalk with National Oncology Standards and Indicators,” we discuss the importance of the metrics and their alignment with national standards. Immediately following, you’ll find the useful resource entitled “The Crosswalk: National Standards in Support of AONN+ Metrics.”
It is our hope that oncology administrators, providers, and navigators are able to use this information to identify and define the nationally recognized standards and how they support AONN+ metrics. In our march forward, implementing metrics, understanding how they dovetail with national standards, and collecting the resulting data will not only promote and sustain navigation programs but will ultimately improve patient care.
Sincerely,
Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, ONN-CG
Editor-in-Chief, JONS; Program Director, AONN+
University Distinguished Professor of Breast Cancer, Adm Director, the Johns Hopkins Breast Center; Director, Johns Hopkins Cancer Survivorship Programs; Professor of Surgery and Oncology, JHU School of Medicine; Co-Creator, Work Stride-Managing Cancer at Work. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
