Metrics That Matter: Improving Quality in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This panel discussion aims to educate the general Otolaryngologist on the importance of quality metrics in managing head and neck cancer patients. The session will focus on current and future quality metrics, impact on patient outcomes, how these metrics are collected nationally, and implementation of evidence-based strategies to improve quality and patient outcomes. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable knowledge to enhance their practice and ensure optimal patient care.

Head and neck cancer care is complex, requiring multidisciplinary coordination and adherence to oncologic principles to achieve optimal outcomes. Failure to meet key quality metrics can lead to:
• Higher recurrence rates with positive surgical margins.
• Suboptimal staging and treatment planning with inadequate lymph node removal.
• Reduced survival due to delays in adjuvant radiation therapy.
• Under-treatment of the neck in early-stage oral cancers.
Multidisciplinary care is a foundation of successful head and neck cancer management. Involvement of specialists from head and neck surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, speech therapy, pathology, nutrition, dentistry, radiology, and social work ensures comprehensive patient evaluation and treatment. Multidisciplinary tumor boards are critical for coordinating these efforts and optimizing treatment decisions, as highlighted in studies demonstrating improved outcomes with their use.

Despite their importance, many Otolaryngologists are unaware of these metrics, the evolving role of multidisciplinary teams, or how they are assessed nationally. Addressing these gaps in knowledge is crucial to improving outcomes for head and neck cancer patients.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: 1. Highlight the significance of quality metrics in head and neck oncology. including time to adjuvant radiation after surgery, positive surgical margins, adequate lymph node removal in neck dissection, and indications for neck dissection in early-stage oral cancer

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: 2. Provide practical, evidence-based recommendations for comprehensive Otolaryngologists to align with these standards in their practice.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: 3. Discuss national data collection efforts and benchmarks for head and neck cancer quality metrics and the importance of multidisciplinary care and tumor boards in improving outcomes.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Head and neck cancer care is complex, requiring multidisciplinary coordination and adherence to oncologic principles to achieve optimal outcomes. Addressing these gaps in knowledge is crucial to improving outcomes for head and neck cancer patients.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement : A number of head and neck cancers are still treated in the community. This panel focuses on important quality metrics that all otolaryngologists should focus on in the care of the head and neck cancer patient.