Poland’s Ministry of Health introduces new regulations to monitor oncology care quality amid rising cancer diagnoses.
New Monitoring System for Oncological Care
Three draft regulations have been submitted for consultation, aiming to create a cohesive system for monitoring the quality of oncological care in Poland. One regulation specifies a set of key indicators to be used in evaluating the effectiveness of therapies and the safety of oncological services.
Key Quality Indicators
The project includes so-called non-specific indicators covering general aspects of care quality. The regulation prioritizes: availability of multidisciplinary consultations for patients, access to histopathological or cytological examinations, short timelines for starting oncological treatment (14 days after determining the treatment plan by a medical consultation), and timeliness of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgical treatment services.
Center-Specific Quality Standards
Another regulation addresses quality indicators for Specialized Oncology Treatment Centers (SOLO), defining methodologies for calculating indicators, data sources, and reporting methods. This will enable comparison of results between institutions on uniform principles.
Diagnostic Timeline Requirements
The third regulation establishes specific requirements for Cooperative Centers within the National Oncology Network, including percentages of patients for whom individual diagnostic stages must be completed within specified timeframes. Initial diagnosis should be completed within 28 days, while comprehensive diagnosis should be completed within 21 days, with a minimum of 50% of patients meeting these targets.
Impact on Healthcare Facilities
The planned regulations will directly affect centers participating in the National Oncology Network. These facilities will need to meet the quality indicators specified by the Ministry of Health, adapt diagnostic and therapeutic processes to new standards, and systematically report data on service quality.
Addressing Rising Cancer Cases
Over 170,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in Poland annually, with many cases detected at advanced stages. The Ministry of Health aims for faster diagnosis and referral to specialized treatment, giving patients better chances of recovery. Monitoring quality indicators is expected to be key to improving oncology treatment effectiveness.