title: From a waiting list to a priority list: a computerized model for an easy-to-manage and automatically updated priority list in the booking of patients waiting for radiotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Waiting time for radiotherapy is a major problem in clinical practice. We developed a model to create a priority list of patients waiting for radiotherapy according to clinical criteria, where booking of patients is not on a "first-come, first-served" basis and where prioritization has not been left up to individual discretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The system is based on an algorithm that assigns to each patient a personal code (priority code, PC) that can be used as a continuous variable to have a priority list. PCpatient = D0patient + PWTsubgroup of treatment. Palliative treatments were categorized according to the clinical urgency. Radical treatments were stratified by primary tumors, by the setting of treatment (preoperative, curative, postoperative) and by the main prognostic factors. Each subgroup of patients has a "priority waiting time" (PWT subgroup of treatment). Calculation of the PC starts from a differentiated date according to clinical scenario [Reference date (D0)], which is taken from the clinical history of the patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients are differentiated according to clinical criteria and according to time elapsed from diagnosis. The priority list can be automatically updated day by day. Delays in patient referral or imaging availability are minimized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The model represents a tool for an objective and automatic prioritization of the patients who are waiting for radiotherapy.
authors: Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, Viale Morgagni 85, Florence, Italy. silvia.scoccianti@unifi.it
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Scoccianti
authors: Benedetta
authors: B
authors: Agresti
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Simontacchi
authors: Beatrice
authors: B
authors: Detti
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Cipressi
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Iannalfi
authors: Livia
authors: L
authors: Marrazzo
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Mangoni
authors: Fabiola
authors: F
authors: Paiar
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Livi
authors: Giampaolo
authors: G
authors: Biti
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000209:etiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D014850:Waiting Lists