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Recommended Citation
Barnes M, Reingold Pappaterra N, Elder J, Sanders L. Expanding Access for Transplant and Cellular Therapy. Quality Improvement poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Presentation Notes
Quality Improvement poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Abstract
Background
Cancer care delivery is in a state of constant change. More care is being transitioned to the outpatient setting, this does not exclude complex transplant and cellular therapy (TCT) services. Moving patients from the inpatient to outpatient helps manage bed capacity, improve patient experience, and helps foster fiscally responsible care.
Local Problem
Inpatient bed space has been a challenge for the malignant hematology services for years. An opportunity was seen to bring lower acuity TCT patients to outpatient to create space for higher acuity needs in the hospital and to allow for continued growth in the hematology population as novel outpatient cellular therapy treatments are approved.
Method
In 2024 leadership approved opening an outpatient TCT department within the ambulatory oncology infusion space. An interdisciplinary team including administration, provider leadership, pharmacy, nursing, and support services worked to develop an implementation of this department. Physical and personnel resources were secured and planning for clinical care, and SOPs began. Once secured and clinical teammates were onboarded the department opened. Process improvement has continued and helped identify new products to introduce to the space and optimize capacity.
Results/Conclusions
Since opening in November of 2024, the outpatient TCT department has completed 25 cellular infusions and completed 1069 encounters. This transition has saved 234 inpatient bed days improving patient access and helping decompress inpatient spaces.
Implications for Practice
The landscape of ambulatory nursing is evolving. Although TCT is a niche of even oncology nursing practice, this concept is applicable to other specialties as well. It is imperative that we consider innovative ways to care for our patients and evolve ambulatory nursing practice to adapt to the needs of our patients. In this new department, we have done so by utilizing alternative days and hours of operations and partnering with wrap around services like hospital at home to ensure safety for the high-risk population.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
11-12-2025
Expanding Access for Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Background
Cancer care delivery is in a state of constant change. More care is being transitioned to the outpatient setting, this does not exclude complex transplant and cellular therapy (TCT) services. Moving patients from the inpatient to outpatient helps manage bed capacity, improve patient experience, and helps foster fiscally responsible care.
Local Problem
Inpatient bed space has been a challenge for the malignant hematology services for years. An opportunity was seen to bring lower acuity TCT patients to outpatient to create space for higher acuity needs in the hospital and to allow for continued growth in the hematology population as novel outpatient cellular therapy treatments are approved.
Method
In 2024 leadership approved opening an outpatient TCT department within the ambulatory oncology infusion space. An interdisciplinary team including administration, provider leadership, pharmacy, nursing, and support services worked to develop an implementation of this department. Physical and personnel resources were secured and planning for clinical care, and SOPs began. Once secured and clinical teammates were onboarded the department opened. Process improvement has continued and helped identify new products to introduce to the space and optimize capacity.
Results/Conclusions
Since opening in November of 2024, the outpatient TCT department has completed 25 cellular infusions and completed 1069 encounters. This transition has saved 234 inpatient bed days improving patient access and helping decompress inpatient spaces.
Implications for Practice
The landscape of ambulatory nursing is evolving. Although TCT is a niche of even oncology nursing practice, this concept is applicable to other specialties as well. It is imperative that we consider innovative ways to care for our patients and evolve ambulatory nursing practice to adapt to the needs of our patients. In this new department, we have done so by utilizing alternative days and hours of operations and partnering with wrap around services like hospital at home to ensure safety for the high-risk population.
Affiliations
Atrium Health WFB Comprehensive Cancer Center