Introduction
In 2014, The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) Pulmonary Malignancy Service in Queensland was selected to participate in Cancer Australia’s National Lung Cancer Demonstration Project. The project aims to test the feasibility of implementing ‘Principles of Best Practice Lung Cancer Care’ into different settings in Australia.
Aim
To demonstrate best practice approaches to lung cancer management to support consistent, evidence based care for people referred to The Prince Charles Hospital with symptoms suspicious of lung cancer or with confirmed lung cancer.
Method
A self-assessment of the Pulmonary Malignancy Service and clinical audit of patients referred to TPCH Pulmonary Malignancy service with symptoms suspicious of lung cancer was performed. Quality improvement activities are planned according to the identified gaps in service delivery and their impact will be evaluated in a follow up clinical audit.
Results
The self-assessment showed a lack of evidence on how well the service currently aligns with principles of best practice. The clinical audit found all patients were presented to the MDT, 12/42 patients received surgery, 3/42 patients had their suitability for a clinical trial documented and 8/12 stage IV patients were referred to palliative care. Supportive care needs were documented in the MDT treatment recommendation for only 1 patient.
Conclusion
Lung cancer service delivery needs to be measurable; otherwise, the multidisciplinary team might only subjectively tick all the boxes of best practice management. Complete and accurate data will provide evidence to lung cancer multidisciplinary teams that their approach to lung cancer management adheres to best practice principles.
Acknowledgement:
This project is funded through Cancer Australia’s National Lung Cancer Demonstration Project. The authors acknowledge Cancer Australia support and assistance with the project aims.