Article Text
Abstract
Introduction/Background India has 17% of world’s cervical cancer incidence and transition to image guided high dose rate brachytherapy (IGBT) is crucial to improve outcomes. Institutional level activity based costing (ABC) and national impact analysis of transition was undertaken.
Methodology ABC was conducted in a high-volume centre that triaged patients for BT to (A) two dimensional (2D) or B) 3D- point A BT or CT/MR based intracavitary (IC) or D) CT/MR-Interstitial (IS) IGABT). Clinical process mapping (implant and imaging time, delineation, treatment planning, delivery and removal) for workflows A-D was performed. Case scenarios for transition from workflow A to D was constructed at an institutional and national level based on incidence and infrastructure in states and Union Territories (UT) of India. Treatment capacity loss and potential strategies for workflow reorganisation were proposed.
Results Based on process mapping in 81 consecutive patients, the total time was 176 minutes (57–208) and 223 minutes (74–260) for 2D and 3D point A, 267 minutes for (101–302) and 348 minutes (232–383) for 3D-IC and 3D IC-IS-IGBT. Transition from workflow A to D could lead to 64% reduction in capacity and reduce throughput to 1/3rd. Solutions to increase treatment capacity: i.e 10 or 12 hour overlapping shifts increased capacity by 25% and 50%, whereas performing 1 implant and delivering 2 fractions lead to 100% increase. These simulations were extrapolated to national scenario. Based on these simulations 23 states and UT will be able to transition to IGABT whereas 4 states will not meet treatment capacity. (Figure 1A-C). Additional 8 states/UT have no BT access. Further financial investment is needed in these 12 states/UT.
Conclusion Capacity upscale should be considered for IGBT implementation to prevent treatment delays. Further financial investment is needed at national level. The data is subject to infrastructure and skilled personnel to deliver IGBT.