Financial Analysis of Free Lung Cancer Screening Program Shows Profitability Using Broader NCCN Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) chest scans in high-risk populations has been established as an effective measure of preventive medicine by the National Lung Screening Trial. However, the sustainability of funding a program is still controversial. We present a 2.5-year profitability analysis of our screening program by using the broader National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed on the initial 2.5-year data set of a free LDCT chest scan program that targeted the underserved Southeastern United States. Patients were selected by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network high-risk criteria, screening twice as many patients compared with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services criteria. LDCT scans were performed during the off-service hours of our positron emission tomography CT scanner. Analysis of fiscal years 2015 to 2017 was done to evaluate indirect cost, direct cost, and adjusted net margin per case after factoring downstream revenue from positive scans and other findings. RESULTS: A total of 705 scans were performed with 418 patients referred for subsequent procedures or specialist evaluations. The mean overhead cost over total cost was 42.3%. The adjusted net margin per case was -$212 in the first year but turned positive to $177 in the third fiscal year. The total break-even point of adjusted net margin was between 6% and 7% of indirect cost as a function of charges. Of the 60 new patients introduced to the hospital system, a gross margin per case of $211 was found. CONCLUSIONS: Free lung cancer screening can demonstrate profitability from downstream revenue with a lag time of 2 years.

Analysis of 334 Cases of Pediatric Esophageal Foreign Body Removal Suggests that Traditional Methods Have Similar Outcomes Whereas a Magnetic Tip Orogastric Tube Appears to Be an Effective, Efficient, and Safe Technique for Disc Battery Removal.

Procedures and outcomes for pediatric esophageal foreign body removal were analyzed. Traditional methods of battery removal were compared with a magnetic tip orogastric tube (MtOGT). A single institution retrospective review from 1997 to 2014 of pediatric patients with esophageal foreign bodies was performed. Balloon extraction with fluoroscopy (performed in 173 patients with 91% success), flexible endoscopy (92% success in 102 patients), and rigid esophagoscopy (95% in 38 patients) had excellent success rates. A MtOGT had 100 per cent success in six disc battery patients, when other methods were more likely to fail, and was the fastest. Power analysis suggested 20 patients in the MtOGT group would be needed for significant savings in procedural time. Thirty-two per cent of all foreign bodies and 95 per cent of batteries had complications (P = 0.002) because of the foreign body. Overall, 1.2 per cent had severe complications, whereas 10 per cent of batteries had severe complications (P = 0.04). Each technique if applied appropriately can be a reasonable option for esophageal foreign body removal. Magnetic tip orogastric tubes used to extract ferromagnetic objects like disc batteries had the shortest procedure time and highest success rate although it was not statistically significant. Disc batteries require emergent removal and have a significant complication rate.

Feasibility and Safety of Intraoperative Colonoscopy after Segmental Colectomy and Primary Anastomosis.

Patients presenting with near-obstructing colon lesions requiring segmental colectomy may benefit from intraoperative colonoscopy (IOC) after primary anastomosis for a more timely and accurate diagnosis of synchronous lesions. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of this technique. A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing single-stage segmental colectomy and anastomosis at a single tertiary care institution from 2011 to 2013 was performed. One Hundred and sixty-eight consecutive patients underwent segmental colectomy and primary anastomosis of which 78 (46%) were unable to receive preoperative colonoscopy (POC) because of near-obstructing lesions and received IOC after the anastomosis. IOC detected synchronous adenomatous polyps in 24.4 per cent, diverticular disease in 19 per cent, and colitis/proctitis in 2.5 per cent. The IOC group was not significantly different from the POC group with regard to overall morbidity (31% vs 39% P = 0.45), anastomotic leakage (1.3% vs 0%, P = 0.46), or wound infection (5.1% vs 1.1%, P = 0.18). Operation time was 19 minutes longer in the intraoperative group, but overall length of hospital stay was not significantly different (6.4 ± 2.9 days vs 7.3 ± 4.6 days). In patients unable to receive POC because of partial obstruction, IOC after primary anastomosis is both feasible and safe for detecting proximal synchronous lesions.

Free Lung Cancer Screening Trends Toward a Twofold Increase in Lung Cancer Prevalence in the Underserved Southeastern United States.

OBJECTIVES: The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) reported that the prevalence of lung cancer in individuals at high risk for the disease is 1%, and that screening these individuals using low-dose helical computed tomography of the chest saves lives. To increase screening accessibility in the underserved southeastern United States, we developed a free lung screening program, modeled after the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Free Lung Screening Program, for individuals meeting National Comprehensive Cancer Network high-risk criteria. METHODS: This was a chart review of 264 participants screened in the first year of our program. Participants were divided into categories based on the Lung Imaging Reporting and Diagnostic System. Categories three and four were considered positive findings, with demographic and disease criteria collected on these patients. RESULTS: Of 264 participants screened, 28 (10.6%) were Lung Imaging Reporting and Diagnostic System category four, 23 (8.7%) were category three, 78 (29.5%) were category two, and 135 (51.1%) were category one. Eight of the 264 participants (3.0%) had lung cancer, with 75% detected in early stages. CONCLUSIONS: We found a lung cancer prevalence in our high-risk screened population of 3.0% (8 of 264). After adjusting for patients who were symptomatic on clinical evaluation, we report a prevalence of cancer at 2.2% compared with 1.1% in the first year of the National Lung Screening Trial and a prevalence of 1.9% versus 0.6% compared with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria in the first 10 months at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. This study justifies low-dose helical computed tomography screening in high-risk regions because lung cancer treatment before symptoms appear is more effective, and the prevalence of disease in the detectable preclinical phase is high.