New Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program

Regional Cancer Care Northwest plans to reduce wait times by more than half for patients who are being tested and waiting for the results of lung cancer tests. Currently the average patient could wait 18 weeks for a diagnosis - the new target is 6 to 7 weeks.

The reduction in wait times is linked directly to a new Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program (DAP). The program follows on the success of the Colorectal DAP that has been in place for one year. The Colorectal DAP has reduced wait times for colonoscopies by approximately four weeks, allowing patients to receive their results for colorectal cancer testing much earlier.

For many patients, the wait time between a suspicious abnormality or concerning symptom being found, to the time of diagnosis can be one of the most stressful phases of the patient experience.

“The DAP really helps ease anxiety and gives patients and families the support and contact they need through the entire diagnostic phase of care. Our goal is to ensure patients are active participants in the process and that they have access to information and emotional support as required,” says Joanne Lacourciere, Director of Diagnostics.

“The Lung DAP uses an evidenced based pathway to ensure the best and most expeditious path to diagnosis. Through system level planning and coordination between various tests and procedures that are required to investigate a potential lung cancer, overall time to diagnosis can be significantly reduced.”

The northwest has a higher rate of lung cancer compared to the rest of the province. This program is being launched today to meet an important, increasing patient need in our community.

“Congratulations to the entire Lung DAP project team. This program will have a significant impact on patients and families in our region, very early on in their care,” says Angèle Brunelle, Chair of the Board of Directors at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Andrée Robichaud, President and CEO of TBRHSC agrees, she says: “This is another example of our dedication to improving patient care. Dr. Kenneth Gehmen, Dr. Joseph Wasielewski, Dr. Heather McLean, our excellent team of radiologists, Oncologists, and the Lung DAP project team are all pro-actively delivering better patient care and we commend you for raising the bar.”

“DAPs work to the patient’s best advantage,” says Dr. Heather McLean, family physician and primary care lead for Regional Cancer Care Northwest. “This announcement is important because we have a high number of patients in the Northwest who are being tested for lung cancer and who are going through the diagnostic phase.”

“This program is here to help those who are undergoing diagnostic testing for lung cancer and, when necessary, guide them smoothly and carefully into the next phase of care.”

Background:

What is DAP?

A Diagnostic Assessment Program has a single point of entry (or referral). It is sometimes supported by a nurse navigator or healthcare provider who can offer patients the support they need while they are undergoing a series of diagnostic tests. A DAP is intended to improve coordination of care and eliminate system delays for patients. The DAP promotes communication with patients and within the team. For some patients, their experience in the DAP will lead to a diagnosis of cancer. In those cases, the DAP team will work with the patient’s healthcare provider to ensure timely access to cancer treatment.

Why now?

The northwest has some of the highest rates of lung cancer in the province. Incidence of lung cancer is approximately 10% higher in the Northwest than the rest of the province, according to the Cancer System Quality Index data reported by Cancer Care Ontario in 2010. The Lung DAP is a response to this patient need. Cancer Care Ontario has recognized the importance of improving this phase of care. It is investing in DAPs to accelerate the time it takes to reach a definitive diagnosis for certain types of cancer.

The Colorectal DAP was implemented in April 2010 to specifically assist patients who are going through a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Since then, wait times for patients significantly improved for those referred for a colonoscopy. More family physicians are directly referring patients to the Colorectal DAP, and there have been improvements in wait times for those being tested for colorectal cancer. In the past year there has been a four-week improvement in the time it takes for adults with a positive colorectal screening test (FOBT) to receive a colonoscopy. In 2010/11, approximately 80 patients per month received a colonoscopy versus an average of 65 patients a month in 2009/10. For those with a First Degree Family History of colorectal cancer, a six-week improvement was made in the wait time for a colonoscopy.

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