Improving the process of ordering outside genomic testing for lung cancer FNA and small biopsy specimens - A...

Lung cancer is an important cause of mortality in the United States. Targeted mutation analysis has the potential to alter mortality in those with non-small-cell lung cancer. As such, the importance of timely tissue turnaround time (TAT) is substantial. We evaluated TAT at Mayo Clinic Arizona and found it to be delayed relative to national standards.

We conducted a series of plan, do, study, and act (PDSA) cycles at a single institution to identify areas for improvement with our lung cancer genomic testing. We assembled a multidisciplinary team and held serial meetings to discuss data from each PDSA cycle.

Using PDSA cycles and multidisciplinary discussions, we were able to identify a number of process limitations slowing TAT. We were then able to generate enhanced and timely communication between providers and pathology, educate and enforce the order/requisition workflow, and establish pathology accessioning with lung cancer specimens top priority.

We were able to generate and implement a standard operating procedure for genomic testing of lung cancer specimens at our institution, thereby reducing tissue TAT.