Low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) screening can help detect lung cancer earlier and improve survival, but identifying patients eligible for screening can be challenging without complete smoking history documentation. Carle Health recognized inconsistencies in its lung cancer screening workflows and limited visibility into patients eligible for LDCT screening, as pack-year smoking history was often incomplete. Using analytics from the Health Catalyst® Data Platform, the organization implemented a data-driven strategy to identify missing pack-year history, standardize documentation workflows, and engage providers in screening improvement efforts.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, as it is often not found until a person develops symptoms, at which time the cancer is more difficult to treat. While early detection through LDCT lung cancer screening can significantly improve survival, most lung cancers in the U.S. are still commonly diagnosed at stage III or IV, largely due to underutilized screening and incomplete smoking exposure documentation.1, 2
Carle Health is an integrated health system that includes eight award-winning hospitals and multi-specialty provider groups. It is developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world's first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. The organization strives to make exceptional healthcare more accessible for all the communities it serves.
Carle recognized a gap in its lung cancer screening workflows. The organization identified that its lung cancer screening processes were underdeveloped and variable. Providers lacked a consistent, reliable way to identify patients eligible for LDCT lung cancer screening. While smoking status (current/former smoker) was well documented, the organization had gaps in pack-year history, leaving them unable to determine which patients qualified for LDCT lung cancer screening, impeding early-stage diagnoses.
The organization needed a standardized approach to identify eligible patients, strengthen documentation of smokinghistory, and improve early lung cancer detection and care quality.
Carle implemented a multi-faceted improvement strategy that combined analytics, workflow redesign, and community and provider engagement to increase LDCT lung cancer screening rates. Leveraging data and analytics from the Health Catalyst® Data Platform, the organization deployed an analytics application to identify patients with a smoking history who were missing pack-year documentation. Carle set a goal to increase the number of eligible patients with a 20-pack-year smoking history who were accurately identified and referred for LDCT lung cancer screening by at least 10 percent within 12 months.
Using the analytics application, Carle can now surface documentation and LDCT lung cancer screening gaps by patient populations, clinics, and providers. The organization engaged providers in reviewing screening data and pack-year smoking history documentation, bringing visibility to gaps in eligibility. Carle then standardized documentation workflows to ensure consistent screening processes across clinics.
Actionable data and insights enabled providers and clinic staff to identify gaps and complete the necessary documentation. Teams can easily identify patients who qualify for LDCT lung cancer screening and prioritize patient outreach to ensure they receive the screening needed for early diagnosis and treatment.
Carle also expanded its community education and outreach programs, providing patient education to help patients understand eligibility criteria, the importance of early lung cancer detection, and the impact of early detection on lung cancer survivorship.
Carle’s data-informed process improvements have delivered the desired results. The organization substantially increased LDCT lung cancer screening, improving care quality and lung cancer survivorship. Results include:
“Analytics provided us with the actionable insights required to engage our care teams in redesigning workflows and standardizing how we identify eligible patients. We’ve made LDCT lung cancer screening a normal part of preventative care, improving care quality.”
- Anne Bowman, MBA, Director of Oncology, Carle Health Methodist Hospital
“Diagnosing patients with an early stage of lung cancer is a clear signal that this work is paying off. Every reduction in late-stage lung cancer represents lives extended, more options for treatment, and a better chance at long-term survivorship for our patients.”
- Tammy Killian, Lung Screening Specialist
Carle plans to further expand community outreach and provider engagement to increase screening participation among at-risk populations.
