A strategy to overcome the radiology lottery in the staging of head and neck cancer: an aid to attaining the 30-day rule.
BACKGROUND
Rapid access to radiological services is essential, if the British Association of Otolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons Minimum Temporal Standards are to be met in the management of head and neck cancer patients. This study assesses a new initiative whereby the multidisciplinary team prioritises allocated imaging appointments rather than using the traditional radiological triage system.


METHODS
This study was a prospective audit of all patients referred over a 3-month period with suspected head and neck cancer. The main outcome measures were: (i) median interval in days from general practitioner (GP) referral to staging scan; and (ii) median interval in days from first clinic appointment to staging scan.


RESULTS
The new multidisciplinary team booking system led to a statistically significant reduction in the 'request-to-scan time' (from 12 days to 5 days). The time from 'GP to scan' also improved.


CONCLUSIONS
This new multidisciplinary team-led booking system, could, in the future, speed up access to radiology services for head and neck cancer patients, allowing earlier definitive treatment.
Elloy
Marianne
M
Department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK. mdelloy@yahoo.com
Jarvis
Sara
S
Davis
Anne
A
D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008485:Medical Audit; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014218:Triage; D014850:Waiting Lists