Reduced wait times for molecular-biomarker testing among patients with advanced lung cancer using parallel sample processing and closed-loop communication: the Continuous Oncopanel and ALK Status Tracking (COAST) Project.

Background: Given how crucial molecular-biomarker testing is to treatment decisions for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), guidelines recommend a turnaround time (TAT) of 14 calendar days from receiving specimen to test result, and 3 days to receive a specimen from outside pathology lab. Current TAT for molecular-biomarker testing in British Columbia (BC), Canada frequently exceeds these recommendations. Thus, we launched a quality improvement (QI) initiative to improve TAT of molecular-biomarker testing.

Implementation of a Lung Cancer Nurse Navigator Enhances Patient Care and Delivery of Systemic Therapy at the British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver.

Purpose: A nurse navigator (NN) pilot project for patients with lung cancer was implemented in British Columbia, a publicly funded health-care system. The purpose was to improve referral practices, timelines, and availability of molecular testing for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC referred to the BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, in 2011 and 2014, pre- and post-implementation of an NN, were included.

Professionalism in rural acute-care nursing.

Professionalism is commonly discussed in nursing but little is known about how it is experienced in everyday nursing practice.This study examines rural nurses experiences of professionalism and articulates the nature of professionalism in rural acute-care settings. Interview data from 8 nurses in rural acute-care facilities in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, were analyzed using an interpretive description approach.