Utah Cancer Specialists (UCS) has been an OncoNav client since 2023. We sat down with Maria Schroeder, Nurse Navigation Program Coordinator, to learn how their navigation program began, how they developed an oral oncolytic navigation initiative, and the role OncoNav plays in supporting their success.
Maria Schroeder, Nurse Navigation Program Coordinator at UCS
Q1: Utah Cancer Specialists implemented OncoNav in 2023. Why did you originally start looking for navigation software?
We launched our Nurse Navigation Program in September 2021 with just one Nurse Navigator. From the start, we quickly realized that our EMR wasn’t designed to fully support navigation. We were using Outlook calendars to manage tasks and Excel spreadsheets to build patient lists, manual systems that made tracking cumbersome.
We did our best to supplement with questionnaires in the EMR using the NCCN Distress Thermometer, but reporting was difficult and time-consuming. By spring 2022, we knew we needed a platform that could streamline documentation, patient tracking, and metric reporting into one centralized system.
At the same time, we began planning to add an Oral Oncolytic Nurse Navigator (ONN) role to work alongside our Oral Pharmacy Team. That collaboration, paired with guidance from NCODA’s Nursing Committee, shaped the foundation of our oral oncolytic navigation program. With both traditional and oral oncolytic navigation in development, it became clear we needed software that could bring everything together – enter OncoNav.
Q2: Tell us about the oral oncolytic navigation program at UCS. When did it start, and what does the navigator do?
We hired our first Oral Oncolytic Navigator in October 2022, and today we have two Navigators serving six of our clinics.
Their role centers on ensuring a smooth and safe transition for patients starting oral chemotherapy from provider orders, to pharmacy fulfillment, to getting the medication into the patient’s hands. They handle New Start education, obtain signed patient consent, and follow our New Start protocol for ongoing monitoring.
Additionally, every new patient receives an NCCN distress screening to identify potential barriers. Navigators intervene when possible to improve quality of life and support positive survivorship outcomes.
Q3: Were there barriers to building the program, and how did you overcome them?
Communication was our biggest hurdle early on. Dosing changes or regimen discontinuations weren’t always communicated to the ONNs, and some staff weren’t consistently sharing patient concerns.
We solved this by implementing structured email postings that include providers, ONNs, and oral pharmacy technicians. This streamlined communication across all parties involved in oral chemotherapy care.
Another challenge was staffing. Being a small team, coverage during vacations or extended absences was tricky. To address this, we created a backup protocol where nursing and office staff help cover ONN duties, and pharmacists step in for initial new start education when needed.
Q4: How has OncoNav supported your oral oncolytic navigation program?
OncoNav has been invaluable. It’s given our Navigators the tools to track patient care efficiently and generate the reports needed for both program evaluation and pharmacy accreditation.
Leanna, from the OncoNav team, has been especially instrumental helping us customize assessments, troubleshoot quickly, and adapt the platform to our evolving needs. Reports are simple to generate, print, and share, and we’ve been impressed by the flexibility of the software in customizing workflows to fit our goals.
Q5: Would you recommend OncoNav to others considering oncology navigation software?
Yes, absolutely. The navigation calendar alone has been a game-changer. OncoNav’s customer service is second to none. They respond quickly, solve problems effectively, and partner with us to design solutions that work in the real world.
Working with Leanna and the OncoNav team has been a truly supportive experience, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the platform to others looking to strengthen their navigation programs.
Utah Cancer Specialists’ journey demonstrates the power of innovation and partnership in elevating patient-centered oncology care. By combining a dedicated navigation team with OncoNav’s comprehensive platform, UCS has built a program that not only streamlines complex workflows but also ensures that every patient receives timely, coordinated, and compassionate support. Their success stands as a model for other practices seeking to strengthen both traditional and oral oncolytic navigation, proving that with the right tools and collaboration, excellence in cancer care is truly achievable.
Oncology Data Management Software & Services That Make a Difference.
Enhance workflows while delivering quality information.