A prospective study evaluating the impact of waiting time on blood testing and clinical workflows in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND

Long waiting times on chemotherapy days increase patient burden. Pre-visit blood sampling may streamline workflows; however, its real-world impact remains unclear.

METHODS

This prospective study collected data on waiting times for pre-visit vs same-day blood sampling in 50 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy between October 2024 and February 2025 at St. Marianna University Hospital. Pre‑visit and same‑day blood sampling was compared in the same patients across four waiting times: (i) check-in to consultation, (ii) check-in to check-out, and (iii-iv) extended measures incorporating travel time. For times (iii) and (iv), travel time during pre-visit was also included. Patient and physician satisfaction and indirect costs were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The median waiting time from check-in to consultation was 1.8 and 2.2 h for pre-visit and same-day sampling, respectively; when chemotherapy and check-out were included (ii), total duration was similar (6.3 vs 6.3 h). Extended measures (iii-iv) tended to be longer with pre-visit sampling. After excluding the two outliers, waiting time from check-in to chemotherapy was significantly shorter for pre-visit vs same-day sampling (3.3 vs 3.9 h, p=0.025). Patient satisfaction was favorable, and 24.0% of patients reported reduced burden. Indirect costs improved by approximately 1198 Japanese yen per patient, with benefits reported in approximately half of the cases. Subgroup analyses suggested greater benefits for patients living within 30 min of both pre-visit blood sampling and chemotherapy facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-visit blood sampling may reduce waiting time and perceived burden for selected patients, although overall time savings were modest. Trial registration University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000055757.