The Impact of Diagnostic Imaging Wait Times on the Prognosis of Lung Cancer

Author:

Byrne Suzanne C.1,Barrett Brendan2,Bhatia Rick1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Radiology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada

2. Clinical Epidemiology and Division of Nephrology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada

Abstract

Objective This study was performed to determine whether gaps in patient flow from initial lung imaging to computed tomography (CT) guided lung biopsy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was associated with a change in tumour size, stage, and thus prognosis. Methods All patients who had a CT-guided lung biopsy in 2009 (phase I) and in 2011 (phase II) with a pathologic diagnosis of primary lung cancer (NSCLC) at Eastern Health, Newfoundland, were identified. Dates of initial abnormal imaging, confirmatory CT (if performed), and CT-guided biopsy were recorded, along with tumour size and resulting T stage at each time point. In 2010, wait times for diagnostic imaging at Eastern Health were reduced. The stage and prognosis of NSCLC in 2009 was compared with 2011. Results In phase 1, there was a statistically significant increase in tumour size (mean difference, 0.67 cm; P < .0001) and stage ( P < .0001) from initial image to biopsy. There was a moderate correlation between the time (in days) between the images and change in size ( r = 0.33, P = .008) or stage ( r = 0.26, P = .036). In phase II, the median wait time from initial imaging to confirmatory CT was reduced to 7.5 days (from 19 days). At this reduced wait time, there was no statistically significant increase in tumour size (mean difference, 0.02; P > .05) or stage ( P > .05) from initial imaging to confirmatory CT. Conclusions Delays in patient flow through diagnostic imaging resulted in an increase in tumour size and stage, with a negative impact on prognosis of NSCLC. This information contributed to the hiring of additional CT technologists and extended CT hours to decrease the wait time for diagnostic imaging. With reduced wait times, the prognosis of NSCLC was not adversely impacted as patients navigated through diagnostic imaging.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging,General Medicine

Cited by 26 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3