This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Standardized Evidence-Based Oncology Navigation Metrics for All Models1 published by the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+). Since then, oncology practices across the globe have implemented these metrics in the hope of improving the lives of patients with cancer as well as furthering the navigation profession. Intrinsically, all navigators know that the services we provide have a positive impact on oncology care. Now, with these metrics, we have an evidence-based method to prove that impact.
The AONN+ Metrics assess the value and impact of navigation programs within 8 domains of knowledge to measure 3 specific areas: patient experience, clinical outcome, and return on investment of the navigation program itself. In this article, we will review the metrics designed to measure the impact of navigation on clinical outcomes. These metrics are already quite familiar to healthcare providers as clinicians have always measured success through patient outcomes. Some of these metrics include distress screening, pathway compliance, and timeliness of care.
It is our hope that you will select several metrics to implement at your institution, record and track the results, and report your findings to AONN+.
For more information on the AONN+ Metrics, please visit www.AONNonline.org.
Reference
- Strusowski T, Sein E, Johnston D, et al. Standardized evidence-based oncology navigation metrics for all models: a powerful tool in assessing the value and impact of navigation programs. Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship. 2017;8(5):220-237.