A Nurse Practitioner-led Centralized Lung Cancer Screening Program

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Screening eligible high-risk individuals for lung cancer with a low-dose computed tomography scan is evidence based. A nurse practitioner centralized screening process was initiated to evaluate the impact on patient volume, follow-up compliance, and the length of time from diagnosis to treatment intervention. The implementation of a centralized lung cancer screening program standardization of practice resulted in a statistically significant improvement with follow-up recommendations and patient compliance compared with the established lung cancer screening process. •Screening individuals at higher risk of developing lung cancer with a low-dose computed tomography scan (LDCT) is evidence based.•Lung-screening LDCT scans are underutilized.•Centralized screening programs may improve compliance with follow-up.•Delays initiating lung cancer treatment influence patient survival.