Improving lung cancer screening in community oncology programs.

Authors

null

Linda Sutton

Duke University Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC

Linda Sutton, Heather J Sperling

Organizations

Duke University Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC, Duke Cancer Network, Durham, NC

Research Funding

Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company
AstraZeneca

Background: Lung Cancer Screening provides a mechanism to detect lung cancers at stages more amendable to curative resection. Nonetheless, data suggests Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) is underutilized as a screening tool; preventing medically eligible patients from diagnosis at earlier stages; leading to reduced treatment options and, ultimately, decreased survival. The Duke Cancer Network (DCN) consists of 12 affiliated cancer programs in 5 states. As several affiliates shared a common goal of improving the uptake of LDCT screening in the community, the DCN created a platform for process improvement in LDCT screening, individualized for participating sites. Methods: DCN-developed surveys for patients and providers explored attitudes toward LDCT screening, and identified targetable access issues and barriers to LDCT screening at DCN-affiliated community cancer centers (aCCC). Armed with the survey data, five aCCC self-selected to work with an experienced Quality/Process Improvement coach to develop individualized projects focusing on one or more aspects of the LDCT screening process. The Q/PI coaches utilized Bite-Size-QI software to facilitate the project and train participants in the QI/PI process. Results: Information from 312 patient and 28 of 50 surveyed providers identified numerous targetable LDCT screening barriers: lack of knowledge about and educational materials to address the benefits of LDCT and tools/analytics to track patients following LDCT screening. Additional, more systematic, barriers identified included: lack of consistent national guidelines for screening, variable insurance coverage and limited availability of smoking cessation programs. Five aCCC self-selected to create individualized process improvement activities were matched to experienced Q/PI coaches. Four sites completed the yearlong project. Three of the aCCC were able to realize improvement in LDCT screening rates with 38%, 27% and 8% increase in rates, respectively, despite overlap with COVID-19 driven shutdowns. Conclusions: An assessment of current state linked to formal Q/PI activities improved uptake of LDCT screening in the majority of participating community cancer programs despite limited resources. Geographically variable COVID-19 required closures did compromise the outcomes. The process led to creation of a number of tools and process improvements to increase awareness of LDCT screening through education and foster collaboration among providers with streamlined referral processes and improved mechanisms of tracking patients. Funding: Provided by AstraZeneca in collaboration with the Duke Cancer Network. Keywords: lung cancer, screening, community, oncology, improvement process, barriers.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A: Cost, Value, and Policy; Health Equity and Disparities; Patient Experience

Track

Cost, Value, and Policy,Technology and Innovation in Quality of Care,Health Care Access, Equity, and Disparities,Patient Experience,Quality, Safety, and Implementation Science

Sub Track

Symptom Prevention, Assessment, and Management

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 28; abstr 197)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.39.28_suppl.197

Abstract #

197

Poster Bd #

F17

Abstract Disclosures