Radiation Oncology Administration

Question 1

What are some of the roles that a radiation Oncologist has? (7 answers)

Answer 1

Treating Phyisician, Tumor Board Review, Clinical Trials, Consults, Treatment Planning and Approval, Imaging approval, Follow-ups

Question 2

What are the two billing subcategories?

Answer 2

Professional and Technical

Question 3

Who is included in the professional billing portion?

Answer 3

Physicians

Question 4

Who is included in the technical billing portion?

Answer 4

Hospital

Question 5

What are things that are included in finances and the revenue cycle? (3 answers)

Answer 5

Financial forecasting, Budgeting, revenue and expenses

Question 6

What is financial forecasting?

Answer 6

the forecasting of future patient inflow along with finances that be brought to the hospital but also how much things will cost during that time period

Question 7

what is budgeting?

Answer 7

calculating the spending budget and portioning that to be utilized in the most efficient way

Question 8

what are revenue and expenses?

Answer 8

how much money is the hospital producing while how much is the hospital having to spend

Question 9

What are some things included in capital planning?

Answer 9

Machines, Physics equipment and selecting machines to fit the center

Question 10

Explain capital planning for machines, physics equipment.

Answer 10

basically planning for the purchase of new parts and/or equipment. This is an essential portion of obtaining these pieces of equipment cause you need to understand the need for it in your department and also the worth of that equipment. (Ex. Will this piece of equipment help us to be better? Will this equipment last us for what its worth?)

Question 11

Explain capital planning for machine selection

Answer 11

Planning for what machines are needed for your unique department. Also includes trying to have corporate financial advisor buy into your idea of why you need those machines and what they will provide for your department. (Ex. A center treating prostate cancers might look to invest in MRI Linac for higher precision or a center for pediatrics would invest in a Proton therapy for a more predictable fall-off path)

Question 12

What are the two main information technologies found in radiation oncology departments?

Answer 12

Aria and Mosaiq

Question 13

What are some of the Physics and dosimetry platforms? (3 answers)

Answer 13

Velocity, Eclipse, Clear-Check

Question 14

What’s an essential component to have in the information technologies division? (2 answers)

Answer 14

1. Interoperability, the need for technologies to be able to exchange information with each other (ex. Aria/Mosaiq and EMR interfaces)
2. IT support and infrastructure

Question 15

What are some of the roles of the secretarial division? (6 answers)

Answer 15

New patient consult, record collections, insurance registration/verification, check-in, scheduling, Follow-up

Question 16

What are some of the roles of the nursing and nurse navigation division? (7 answers)

Answer 16

New patient work-up, Treatment decision-making process, new consult assessment, screening, XRT expectations, OTV, Follow-up

Question 17

What are some things that can be expected during XRT? (3 answers)

Answer 17

1. Skin reaction
2. Toxicity
3. Side effect management

Question 18

Who are the three unsung heroes within the radiation oncology department?

Answer 18

Physicist, Dosimetrists and Engineers

Question 19

What is used to determine key performance indicators?

Answer 19

Operational Metrics, which is a departmental scorecard

Question 20

What are some of the things included in the operational metrics scorecard? (4 answers)

Answer 20

1. the time from sim to treat
2. simulation preparation
3. time to new patient consult appointment
4. Plan completion 48 hours in advance

Question 21

What is the standard for a culture of safety?

Answer 21

Non-punitive response to a culture of safety

Question 22

What is tracking and trending RO-ILS mean?

Answer 22

1. Determine where concentration should be put on incident learn ing
2. Making sure patient safety is always revisited
3. Reinforce things that drive operational improvements

Question 23

What are the four key aspects for radiation oncology administration in utilizing the RO-ILS?

Answer 23

Identify, Communicate, Educate, and Monitor Progress

Question 24

What is one of the most important aspects of capital planning?

Answer 24

DATA incorporation to support your plan

Question 25

What are things that are included in reimbursement changes? (4 answers)

Answer 25

Prior authorization, Medical necessity, Alternative Payment Mode, Quality over quantity

Question 26

What’s an essential part of healthcare workers’ jobs in order to make the reimbursement process easier?

Answer 26

Documentation. Documentation of everything will make the process of verifying the need and understanding the situation easier

Question 27

What are the 9 touchpoints for a cancer patient?

Answer 27

1. Screening
2. Diagnostics
3. Cancer Diagnosis
4. Tumor Board review
5. Treatment plan determined
6. Multi-disciplinary team
7. Treatment
8. Supportive services
9. Follow-up/survivorship

Question 28

What are aspects included in a healthcare workers role owed to the patient? (5 answers)

Answer 28

1. Team work
2. Patient Advocate
3. Be their voice
4. Know your patient population and demographics
5. Understand your resources as an academic or community hospital

Question 29

What are barriers to care for patients? (4 answers)

Answer 29

1. Transportation
2. Caretaker/Support Network
3. Multiple Appointments
4. Navigating a complex diagnosis