Timeliness of Referrals Using a Diagnostic Imaging Notification Process for Patients Suspected of Having Lung Cancer

Abstract

SESSION TITLE: Lung Cancer Diagnostics SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Slide PRESENTED ON: Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 02:45 PM - 04:15 PM PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to investigate if a Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Notification process has an impact on the timeliness to specialty referral and treatment decision in patients suspected of having lung cancer. METHODS: A retrospective, observational non-randomized study of two groups of patients referred to the Alberta Thoracic Oncology Program-North (ATOP-N) was carried out from 2013-2015 (total n=2766). Group One: Patients who were referred to the ATOP-N clinic where an interpreting CT radiologist initiated the DI notification process leading to a referral to a specialist. Group Two: Patients who were referred to a specialist at ATOP-N through the standard referral process by non-radiologist health care providers. Time intervals between date of suspicious CT chest to date of referral (CT-R), first specialist consult date (CT-C), surgery date (CT-S), and oncology referral date(CT-O) were evaluated. RESULTS: CT-R, CT-C, CT-S, and CT-O were calculated for patients for group one (n=891) and group two (n=1779). The median (75th-90th percentile) CT-R was 4 (7-12) days in group one and 14 (37-67) days in group two (P<0.00001). The median (75th-90th percentile) CT-C was 25 (34-43) days in group one and 39 (62-96) days in group two (P<0.00001). The median (75th-90th percentile) CT-S was 83 (113-154) days in group one and 107 (149-204) days in group two (P<0.00001). The median (75th-90th percentile) CT-O was 27 (58-107) days in group one and 49 (101-167) days in group two (P=0.00005). CONCLUSIONS: A Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Notification process significantly reduced the interval between CT chest imaging suspicious for lung cancer to date of referral, first specialty consultation and treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: A Diagnostic Imaging Notification referral process is a novel and effective method to use in the management of patients suspected of having lung cancer. It has overall improved the timeliness of these patients to specialty referral and treatment decision. DISCLOSURE: The following authors have nothing to disclose: Ashley Mae Gillson, James Veenstra, Kenneth Stewart, Teresa Ruston, Jonathan Abele No Product/Research Disclosure Information