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Improving communication pathways in a multi-disciplinary trials team has led to increased patient recruitment
S42 Conclusions: Malignancy caused the majority of SVCOs in this cohort and reinforces SVCO as a poor prognostic marker in malignancy, irrespective of disease stage. Stenting in our cohort was performed as per NICE guidance with minimal complications. Hence this remains a safe, and more efficacious, therapeutic procedure as previous studies have shown. 126 Audit of assessment of fitness for radical therapy in lung cancer N. Magee1 , U.I. Hamid2 , P. McGrath1 , L. Ranaghan3 , R. Shepherd1 , K. McManus2 , T.J. Warke1 . 1 Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, N Ireland, United Kingdom, 2 Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, N Ireland, United Kingdom, 3 Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Belfast, N Ireland, United Kingdom Introduction: Assessment of lung cancer patients for fitness for radical therapy varies according to local practice and resources available. Both the ERS/ESTS and the BTS are publishing guidelines this year. The aim of this study was to audit our local practice, especially in relation to our use of a stair climb as a low-tech assessment of cardiopulmonary reserve. Methods: A retrospective audit was performed of patients attending the Belfast Trust lung cancer diagnostic clinic, run by 2 consultants between November 2008 and August 2009. Subjects who were deemed surgically operable or medically inoperable by the multidisciplinary meeting were included. Case notes from these patients and surgical outcome for those that were selected for surgery were analyzed. Results: All patients underwent spirometry. Transfer factor was measured in 48/67 (72%) patients. Stair climb was performed in 26/67 (39%) of patients. 31/67 (46%) patients underwent surgery. Patients were deemed medically inoperable because of inadequate cardiopulmonary reserve in 20 cases and co-morbidities in 16. 1 patient refused treatment. Of the 31 patients who had surgery, 4 patients had a major cardiopulmonary complication, all requiring admission to ICU, but there were no deaths. The mean stair climb was 6.0 flights (range 3.5 8.0) for patients accepted for surgery and 3.7 (range 0.5 10) for patients not fit for surgery. None of the patients that had major complications postoperatively were assessed by stair climb. Conclusion: Assessment of fitness for radical treatment in lung cancer is a multifactorial assessment of cardiopulmonary reserve and co-morbidity, of which stair assessment may be a valuable contributor.
Posters, 8th Annual BTOG Conference, 2010 127 Improving communication pathways in a multi-disciplinary trials team has led to increased patient recruitment S. Woolley1 , T. Gardener2 , K. Stirling2 . 1 Lead Research Nurse, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom, 2 The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom Increased participation in commercial clinical trials and development in Investigator led clinical trials has enabled expansion of the medical, nursing and administration personnel in the Lung Cancer Clinical Trials Team at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. In addition, the portfolio of Clinical Trials on offer to our patients has become increasingly diverse and more complex; as a result of this we implemented a review of our communication strategies in order to disseminate trial information to a wider team and to ensure that all patients suitable for clinical trials were being considered for them. Regular face to face meetings between key groups were initiated along with educational meetings for the whole team. In addition, a secure internet site was developed to assist the Christie based Oncologists who run peripheral clinics in District General Hospitals throughout the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Research Network (GMCCRN). By having a secure web page dedicated to Lung Cancer Research we are able to ensure that current versions of patient information sheets and protocols are available in these clinics. This ensures version control of key study documentation and enables us to comply with Good Clinical Practice. Monthly newsletters detailing upcoming studies, current recruitment information and key team contacts are distributed to the team. An Access database was developed to track the study set up activity and patient accrual. A noticeable improvement in recruitment into NCRN trials, particularly industry adopted trials, has been made with the GMCCRN currently top recruiter into the NCRN in Lung Cancer Trials Portfolio with The Christie enrolling almost 50% of the total patients into the two current national brain metastases studies. Overall, this has strengthened the determination within the team to move forward and continue to develop new strategies of communication leading to greater treatment options for the patients within our care.
Posters, 8th Annual BTOG Conference, 2010 127 Improving communication pathways in a multi-disciplinary trials team has led to increased patient recruitment S. Woolley1 , T. Gardener2 , K. Stirling2 . 1 Lead Research Nurse, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom, 2 The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom Increased participation in commercial clinical trials and development in Investigator led clinical trials has enabled expansion of the medical, nursing and administration personnel in the Lung Cancer Clinical Trials Team at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. In addition, the portfolio of Clinical Trials on offer to our patients has become increasingly diverse and more complex; as a result of this we implemented a review of our communication strategies in order to disseminate trial information to a wider team and to ensure that all patients suitable for clinical trials were being considered for them. Regular face to face meetings between key groups were initiated along with educational meetings for the whole team. In addition, a secure internet site was developed to assist the Christie based Oncologists who run peripheral clinics in District General Hospitals throughout the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Research Network (GMCCRN). By having a secure web page dedicated to Lung Cancer Research we are able to ensure that current versions of patient information sheets and protocols are available in these clinics. This ensures version control of key study documentation and enables us to comply with Good Clinical Practice. Monthly newsletters detailing upcoming studies, current recruitment information and key team contacts are distributed to the team. An Access database was developed to track the study set up activity and patient accrual. A noticeable improvement in recruitment into NCRN trials, particularly industry adopted trials, has been made with the GMCCRN currently top recruiter into the NCRN in Lung Cancer Trials Portfolio with The Christie enrolling almost 50% of the total patients into the two current national brain metastases studies. Overall, this has strengthened the determination within the team to move forward and continue to develop new strategies of communication leading to greater treatment options for the patients within our care.