[Impact of a dedicated day-hospital on breast cancer care timelines: A before-after study].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the organizational impact of the UnyonSein Day Hospital at the Auxerre General Hospital on diagnostic and therapeutic timelines for patients with breast cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective observational before/after study was conducted comparing two periods: 2024 (standard pathway) and 2025 (structured HDJ pathway). Eleven key time intervals (D1 to D11) were analyzed. Results were expressed as medians (IQR) and compared using the Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTS

Two time intervals significantly improved after implementation of the HDJ: time from appointment request to surgical consultation (D1) and time from surgical consultation to operating room (D6). Diagnostic timelines (radiology, biopsy, pathology) remained stable. Timelines related to chemotherapy showed no improvement.

CONCLUSION

The UnyonSein Day Hospital significantly enhances the fluidity of the initial surgical pathway. Extending this model to the oncological pathway appears essential to optimize chemotherapy initiation timelines.