Improving lung cancer screening in the HIV population.

Abstract

69 Background: Lung cancer screening for high risk populations has a major impact in reducing mortality.In our population, HIV patients are younger (mean age 68.0 vs 56.8, p= 0.014) and have a higher percentage of advanced disease at diagnosis (49% vs 68%, p< 0.001),when compared to non-HIV lung cancer patients.Due to this increased risk and aggressiveness, we embarked on a quality improvement initiative to increase screening in our HIV smoking population. Methods: Data was collected retrospectively from 10/18 to 1/19 in the HIV clinic. A multidisciplinary team was created involving thoracic oncologists, radiologists and HIV physicians to discuss methods to improve screening. We identified areas to be improved and utilized performance improvement tools such as a Pareto chart and PICK chart. Data was then collected prospectively. Results: In the initial 4 month period,among HIV positive patients 55–77 years old with significant smoking history, 13% (total n=54) of patients had a chest CT done for lung cancer screening and only 3.7% were referred for lung cancer screening during that specific period. Main barriers were lack of proper identification of screening candidates, discrepancies in smoking history within the EMR and lack of a consistent system for referral. An algorithm was created in the referral workflow, in which providers would need only to identify patients in the age group of 55-77 years old with any history of smoking and refer to a lung cancer screening program. The screening program would contact the patient and screen as per CMS guidelines. 17 Patients were referred from the HIV clinic from 4/8/19 to 5/2/19. Of these patients, 29% had a lung cancer screening CT scan done or scheduled, 18% of patients did not qualify for screening,and the remaining 53% of referrals are pending to be screened by telephone call. Further data on subsequent PDSAs and results of screening scans will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: Modifying the screening algorithm for lung cancer in our HIV clinic by adding support from a dedicated screening program increased screening rates by 25% in the first month of intervention. Subsequent interventions include: patient education to reduce the stigma of lung cancer and EMR alerts when a patient meets criteria for screening.