Introduction: Approximately one third of Australians with a cancer diagnosis live outside metropolitan centres. Overall cancer mortality rates have reduced in Australia however, patients in regional areas have poor outcomes.  This study was initiated to capture patient data, to assess patient pathways, to improve patient flow and avoid delays.  Information on cancer patients living in West Hume was analysed.

Methods: Retrospective data of patients with a cancer diagnosis was collected using the Goulburn Valley Hospital (GVH) automated electronic records. Data collected included diagnosis, disease stage, date of initial referral to oncology, date first seen by an oncologist at GVH, date of surgery and date of treatment commencement.

Results: All 158 oncology patients seen at GVH from 01 October 2013 – 31 May 2014 were included.  A breakdown of the cancer types included 59 breast, 33 colon, 15 lung, 10 prostate and 27 others.  The median time to medical oncology treatment from diagnosis was 61 days (range 6-39686).  The median time to surgery for breast cancer was 13 days (range 0-731) and colon cancer 14 days (range 0-231).  The median time to oncology treatment for breast cancer was 75 days for chemotherapy (range 6-39686) and 139 days for radiotherapy (range 50-826), colon cancer 66 days for chemotherapy (range 10-351) and 72 days for radiotherapy (range 42-429) and lung cancer 80 days for chemotherapy (range 26-106) and 33 days for radiotherapy (range 8-395).

Conclusion: Electronic patient records provide us with a tool to assess patient pathways, to avoid unnecessary delays and improve patient flow and outcomes efficiently.