Work is underway to standardize care pathways for all cancers treated at Landspítali as part of the development and accreditation of the Landspítali Cancer Center in accordance with the standards of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI).

Standardized care pathways involve defining and coordinating the patient journey from referral and diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care. The aim is to ensure continuous, clear, and high-quality care across departments and professional disciplines.

Objectives of Standardization

Standardized pathways are intended to:

• Reduce waiting times for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care

• Promote equity in access to services

• Clarify responsibilities and roles within the care pathway

• Improve oversight of the patient journey and continuity of care

Waiting Times as Quality Indicators

Part of the standardization process involves defining and monitoring waiting times throughout the patient pathway. This includes measuring:

• Time from referral to the first hospital appointment

• Time from first appointment to diagnosis

• Time from diagnosis to initial treatment

Waiting times are used as quality indicators to support service improvement and consistent care delivery.

Benefits for Patients

Standardized care pathways can improve predictability and patient safety by creating a clearer and more coordinated treatment process. Over time, the goal is to provide accessible patient information about care pathways, expected waiting times, and the next steps in treatment.