| Sumario: | Significance & Background: Effective symptom management is vital in ambulatory oncology, as timely and accurate assessment directly affects patient outcomes and satisfaction. At an independent ambulatory Oncology practice in Houston, TX, the central triage department is composed of LVNs. Feedback from providers indicated that assessments during symptom-related calls were not as Oncology-focused as desired. This created inefficiencies, including repeated provider-nurse communication and multiple patient follow-up calls. Literature supports that streamlined triage reduces delays in care, enhances safety, and improves satisfaction for patients and providers. Addressing these gaps was critical to improving the quality and efficiency of symptom management in our triage department. Purpose: The goal was to improve triage efficiency by reducing the need for multiple follow-ups and achieving "one-call resolution" for symptom management while supporting the scope of the LVN. To support this, the team adopted a software platform with evidence-based oncology-specific pathways guiding comprehensive assessments and decision-making. Success is measured using pathway utilization and ticket closure rates. Interventions: Nursing leadership reviewed triage analytics, focusing on pathways initiated, ticket closures, and call volumes. Provider communications were monitored to reduce back-and-forth exchanges, and real-time feedback was shared with nurses to reinforce thorough assessments. Weekly triage department meetings were established to evaluate software use and provide education and support. Results: The project, which started in December 2024, is ongoing, and the data shows measurable improvements. Over 2600 symptom calls have been logged, with 1540 of those using pathways. The top three pathways used are pain, diarrhea, and nausea/vomiting. Providers shared positive feedback on the depth of assessments and recommendations documented by triage nurses. These results align with intended outcomes of reducing redundant communication and improving satisfaction. Consistent pathway use promoted more comprehensive evaluation of patient symptoms and side effects, resulting in higher-quality, more efficient encounters. Discussion: The addition of structured pathways fosters clearer communication between patients and providers, reducing delays and strengthening continuity of care. This work is directly relevant to oncology nursing, where timely triage impacts safety and satisfaction while supporting provider decision-making. Next steps include expanding pathway utilization, strengthening nurse training, and sustaining improvements through ongoing monitoring. Other future work includes quality improvement projects on proactive symptom management in the top three areas.
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