As the role of molecular testing in the diagnosis and treatment planning for non-small cell lung cancer continues to expand, the efficiency and timeliness of molecular testing processes are an increasing concern for cancer care programs and providers. Guideline-concordant molecular testing for patients with non-small cell lung cancer informs the subtype of lung cancer, development of the treatment plan, and prognosis. Lack of clarity on operational and care pathways for molecular testing may contribute to inefficiencies and delays that can affect treatment initiation or act as a barrier to patient access to testing, and in turn impact the potential benefits from precision medicine treatments requiring companion diagnostic tests.
Consideration of operational pathways for molecular testing in non-small cell lung cancer is a potential avenue to improve the standardization of institutional, care team, and provider processes for molecular testing; increase timeliness of care; and reduce overall costs. When multidisciplinary teams have a greater understanding of the guideline recommendations and testing available, there is improved consistency in the utilization of molecular testing results, which can inform treatment planning and shared decision-making. Improved consistency also allows for the development of processes for ongoing evaluation of molecular testing protocols and institutional care pathways.
Through this educational program, ACCC will identify and disseminate examples of effective practices and tools for developing, implementing, and assessing operational pathways for molecular testing for eligible patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
For more information on this project, please contact the ACCC Provider Education department.
This innovative learning tool can help multidisciplinary cancer care teams obtain the knowledge they need to implement, expand, and sustain biomarker testing for patients with advanced NSCLC.
"Deciding how best to develop and implement a new process requires a vision, a strategic plan, and a team devoted to the success of the project. By designing a concise visual representation of biomarker testing, this Biomarker Testing Implementation Roadmap will arm oncology practices and programs with access to a preemptive blueprint detailing the action steps and resources necessary to carry the initiative from vision to reality."
Amy Jo Pixley, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG(T)
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute at Penn Medicine Lancaster General
Lancaster, PA
This environmental scan provides an overview of the current landscape of biomarker testing at cancer programs, challenges or barriers to implementing testing recommendations, efforts by ACCC and others to-date, and possible solutions toward creating operational efficiencies in testing.
