What does the surgical oncology clinic inpatient inventory tell us?
Abstract
Aims: Improving medical outcomes in surgical disciplines relies on well-structured clinical planning and meticulous patient care. Specialized and experienced staff, beginning with the clinical director, are crucial. This study aimed to present the patient profile and service diversity of surgical oncology (SO) clinics and provide insights into their structuring.
Methods: Hospitalization records of the first 500 inpatients treated in SO and general surgery (GS) clinics since early 2023 were reviewed. Data included demographics, diagnosis, hospitalization indications, length of stay, stoma creation, treatment methods, ICU transfers, readmissions, and mortality. Additionally, SO patients completed surveys at admission and discharge assessing awareness of subspecialty clinics, communication with the clinic, and fulfilment of expectations.
Results: SO patients were older, with a higher proportion of females. Cancer diagnoses accounted for 90.4% of SO admissions versus 24.8% in GS. In the SO clinic, length of stay, stoma creation, ICU transfer, readmission, and mortality rates were significantly higher. Survey results indicated patients perceived the SO clinic as a specialized unit for cancer surgery, reporting greater confidence and sense of security compared with GS clinics.
Conclusion: SO clinics require specialized oncology-trained nurses to address complex cancer care. Establishing a dedicated SO Nursing Certification Program within the Ministry of Health’s framework could improve care quality, strengthen patient safety, and enhance satisfaction.
Keywords
References
- Bernet NS, Everink IH, Schols JM, Halfens RJ, Richter D, Hahn S. Hospital performance comparison of inpatient fall rates; the impact of risk adjusting for patient-related factors: a multicentre cross-sectional survey. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22(1):225. doi:10.1186/s12913-022-07638-7
- Busse R, Klazinga N, Panteli D, Quentin W, editors. Improving healthcare quality in Europe: characteristics, effectiveness and implementation of different strategies [Internet]. Copenhagen Denmark: European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies; 2019 [cited 2025 Sept 24]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31721544/
- O’Shea S. Specialization in surgical oncology: historical perspectives. Ann Surg Oncol. 2004;11:462-464. doi: 10.1245/ASO.2004.02.912
- Bell RH Jr. Graduate education in general surgery and its related specialities and subspecialities in the United States. World J Surg..2008;32(10):2178-2184. doi:10.1007/s00268-008-9658-x
- Siegel RL, Miller KD, Wagle NS, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023;73(1):17-48. doi:10.3322/caac.21763
- Purushotham AD, Lewison G, Sullivan R. The state of research and development in global cancer surgery. Ann Surg. 2012;255(3):427-432. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e318246591f
- Wyld L, Audisio RA, Poston GJ. The evolution of cancer surgery and future perspectives. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2015;12(2):115-124. doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2014.191
- Goerling U, Ernst J, Esser P, et al. Estimating the prevalence of mental disorders in patients with newly diagnosed cancer in relation to socioeconomic status: a multicenter prospective observational study. ESMO Open. 2024;9(8):103655. doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.103655
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Clinical Oncology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Gamze Cebeci
0009-0001-4096-6999
Türkiye
Ferit Aydın
0000-0002-1653-8150
Türkiye
Fatih Aslan
0000-0002-0067-0085
Türkiye
Bulent Aksel
0000-0002-2498-664X
Türkiye
Lütfi Doğan
0000-0002-3834-0911
Türkiye
Publication Date
June 16, 2026
Submission Date
September 11, 2025
Acceptance Date
October 14, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 6 Number: 2