Improving lung cancer screening program enrollment at a regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center: A resident-led quality initiative

Abstract: In 2013, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high-risk populations. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) developed a centralized resource hub to support local implementation of LCS programs, highlighting the complexity of program adoption. In 2020, the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SLCVAMC) introduced a hybrid LCS model where primary care providers either enrolled patients via the clinical reminders system (CRS) or through a program coordinator. This study aimed to increase resident primary care clinic enrollment rates to over 80% by May 2023. A multidisciplinary team, including internal medicine residents, a fellow, the LCS program coordinator, and a faculty mentor, initiated a quality improvement project using VHA analytics to track LDCT orders as a proxy for enrollment. Interventions included an electronic medical record (EMR) force function implemented in September 2021, requiring LCS orders through CRS, followed by an educational session in September 2022 to address gaps in knowledge and compliance. Baseline analysis revealed a 29% enrollment rate among eligible patients. The EMR force function increased enrollment to 62% within 12 months. After addressing bypass behaviors with education, rates further rose to 89%, representing a 206% absolute improvement over the study period. This initiative demonstrates the effectiveness of combining EMR-based interventions with targeted education to enhance LCS program enrollment. Generalizability may be limited by the specific VHA context, and refresher training may be needed for sustainability. Future efforts will focus on expanding to regional community-based clinics.

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