Abstract:
Objective To explore the implementation effectiveness of a ward management model combining pre-admission examination with whole-body dynamic radiation monitoring in the management of 131I radionuclide therapy wards.
Methods A historical control study was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups according to the time of admission. Patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who underwent 131I therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 1 to December 31, 2020, were assigned to group A (178 males and 332 females, with an average age of (46.5±19.3) years), which received the conventional ward management model. DTC patients who underwent 131I therapy at the same hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2021, were assigned to group B (294 males and 716 females, with an average age of (41.4±17.6) years), which received a ward management model combining pre-admission examination with whole-body dynamic radiation monitoring. Questionnaires were administered to patients in groups A and B to assess patient satisfaction, satisfaction rate, and healthcare professionals′ job satisfaction. Under the two management models, continuous variables were compared using the independent-samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test.
Results Compared with group A, group B had significantly shorter mean admission waiting time and mean length of hospital stay, as well as a significantly greater average number of patient admission batches per month (t=113.368, 96.864, Z=3.940; all P<0.001). The incidence of complications was lower in group B than in group A, although the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=0.365, P>0.05). Patients′ satisfaction and satisfaction rate improved in group B. In addition, scores for all dimensions of medical staff job satisfaction were significantly higher in group B than in group A (t=6.740–20.333, all P<0.001).
Conclusions The ward management model combining pre-admission examination with whole-body dynamic radiation monitoring improved the utilization of 131I therapy wards, and may provide a reference for the management of wards for patients receiving 131I radionuclide therapy.