Implementing a Community Hospital Lung Cancer Screening Program: A Multidisciplinary Program and a Standardized Reporting System

Abstract

Elkhart, Indiana, has a regional population of approximately 150,000 people. The area has a long tradition of manufacturing in the recreational vehicle industry and in freight, shipping more primary metals than any other municipality in the United States [ 1 Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County. 2011 data. Available at: http://www.elkhartcountybiz.com/pdf/demographics-2-2011.pdf. Accessed July 29, 2013. Google Scholar ]. This strong manufacturing base was hard hit during the economic downturn of 2008, leaving a large unemployed population in its wake. Elkhart County's population of smokers is among the state's highest at 23.4% (Indiana's rate is 17%) [ 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult smoking in the US: state info. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/AdultSmoking/index.html#StateInfo. Accessed July 29, 2013. Google Scholar ]. Data from the Elkhart General Hospital Cancer Registry over the past 10 years show that 50% of lung cancers diagnosed in the area were diagnosed at stage IV, higher than the national average of 50% of lung cancers diagnosed at stage III or stage IV [ 3 National Cancer Institute. SEER stat fact sheets: lung and bronchus: incidence and mortality. Available at: http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html#incidence-mortality. Accessed July 21, 2013. Google Scholar ]. In 2011, the Elkhart County Community Health Assessment identified smoking as a significant health concern affecting local residents. When compared with other screening programs, a lung cancer screening program compares favorably (with estimates of cost <$19,000 per life saved) with the costs of breast cancer screening mammography ($31,000–$51,000 per life saved) and colorectal screening with colonoscopy ($19,000–$29,000 per life saved) [ 4 Kazerooni E.A. The great debate: lung cancer screening. ARRS In Practice. 2013; 7: 6-10 Google Scholar ]. These assessments prompted the staff, physicians, and administrators at Elkhart General Hospital to develop a comprehensive lung cancer screening and smoking cessation program. Implementing a Community Hospital Lung Cancer Screening Program: A Multidisciplinary Program and a Standardized Reporting SystemJournal of the American College of RadiologyVol. 11Issue 5PreviewElkhart, Indiana, has a regional population of approximately 150,000 people. The area has a long tradition of manufacturing in the recreational vehicle industry and in freight, shipping more primary metals than any other municipality in the United States [1]. This strong manufacturing base was hard hit during the economic downturn of 2008, leaving a large unemployed population in its wake. Elkhart County's population of smokers is among the state's highest at 23.4% (Indiana's rate is 17%) [2]. Data from the Elkhart General Hospital Cancer Registry over the past 10 years show that 50% of lung cancers diagnosed in the area were diagnosed at stage IV, higher than the national average of 50% of lung cancers diagnosed at stage III or stage IV [3]. Full-Text PDF