In the rapidly evolving landscape of oncology, infusion centers are being asked to do more with less. Faced with changing patient volumes, workforce shortages, and growing operational complexity, leaders must now reimagine their approach to care delivery to prepare both for today and tomorrow.
To better understand these challenges and how cancer centers are responding, LeanTaaS conducted a national survey of nearly 200 respondents from community hospitals, academic medical centers, and private oncology practices — including nursing directors, operational leaders, and administrators. The findings were published in LeanTaaS’ recent State of Cancer Centers in 2025 report. The results highlight both the operational strain infusion centers face and the strategic shifts they are making to address them.
AI Adoption Surges as Operational Pressure Mounts
More than half of cancer centers now view artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics as essential to managing their operations. According to the survey, 54% of leaders identified scheduling and capacity management as the areas most in need of AI support. This is no surprise: 62% of centers named patient flow and scheduling as their top operational challenge, and nearly half (47%) pointed to midday congestion as a key bottleneck.
These pressures are magnified by a shifting healthcare environment. Aging populations, policy upheavals, and unpredictable supply chain disruptions all make operational agility a top priority. AI isn’t just a tool for efficiency; it’s a critical enabler of resilience. When infusion centers can use predictive analytics to adjust schedules in real time, rebalance workload distribution, and anticipate resource gaps, they can stay agile even in the face of disruption.
Data: The Missing Link in Smarter Decision-Making
Despite growing interest in AI and advanced technology, many organizations still struggle with basic access to data. The report found that 82% of cancer centers struggle to access the actionable data needed to make timely, informed decisions. Only 11% of leaders say they can easily obtain accurate, reliable operational data.
This lack of data visibility undermines decision-making at every level. Staffing plans built on flawed assumptions, inconsistent performance metrics, and scheduling templates that fail to reflect true demand and confluence of unplanned events that happen in infusion centers every day all contribute to inefficiencies. For leaders navigating daily trade-offs, trust in the data is non-negotiable. That’s why many cancer centers are investing in integrated platforms that automate data validation and offer real-time operational dashboards.
Strategic Growth Without a Staffing Surge
The report reveals a widening gap between growth ambitions and workforce realities. While 53% of infusion centers are planning service expansions, only 20% plan to hire additional staff — a significant drop from 33% in 2023. As nurse shortages and burnout persist, leaders are increasingly looking beyond headcount to improve throughput.
Technology is filling the gap. With tools that optimize chair utilization, prevent appointment gridlock, and streamline nurse assignments, centers are finding ways to grow sustainably. In fact, several leading institutions are using AI-driven insights to justify weekend access, expanded hours, and even capital investment — all without compromising staff wellbeing.
Why Resilience and Flexibility Matters Now
Operational resilience is no longer optional. Sweeping healthcare policy changes and increasing insurance coverage instability adds further urgency to already strained operations. If more patients face barriers to coverage and care becomes more fragmented, infusion centers must be ready to do more with the same (or fewer) resources. That means building systems that flex when conditions change.
An AI-powered tool is one of the few scalable solutions that can meet this challenge. It transforms operations from reactive to proactive and equips leaders with the confidence to act decisively when it matters most.
The Path Forward
The message from the State of Cancer Centers in 2025 is clear: actionable data and advanced technology are not just operational upgrades — they are strategic imperatives. For hospital and cancer center executives overseeing infusion care, the time to embrace AI is now. Doing so won’t just ease today’s burdens; it will future-proof their operations for whatever comes next.
To learn more and benchmark your organization’s readiness, download the full report.
