Incidental Findings Protocol Implementation at a Level-I Trauma Center: A Review of Patient Follow-Up.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-15-2023
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Pan scanning in trauma patients has become routine, resulting in increased identification of incidental findings (IF), findings unrelated to the reason for the scan. This has posed a conundrum of ensuring patients have appropriate follow-up for these findings. We sought to evaluate our compliance and follow-up for patients after implementation of an IF protocol at our level-I trauma center.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective review from 9/2020 to 4/2021, to encompass before and after protocol implementation. Patients were separated into PRE and POST groups. Charts were reviewed evaluating several factors including three- and six-month follow-ups on IF. Data were analyzed comparing PRE and POST groups.
RESULTS: A total of 1989 patients were identified, 31.22% (n = 621) with an IF. 612 patients were included in our study. Compared to PRE, POST showed a significant increase in PCP notification (35% vs 22%, P < .001) and patient notification (82% vs 65%, P < .001). As a result, patient follow-up regarding IF at six months was significantly higher in POST (44%) v. PRE (29%), (P < .001). There was no difference in follow-up based on insurance carrier. There was no difference in patient age for PRE (63 y) and POST (66 y) overall, (P = .089); nor in age of patients who followed up; 68.8 PRE vs 68.2 years POST (P = .819).
CONCLUSION: Implementation of an IF protocol with patient and PCP notification was significantly improved in overall patient follow-up for category one and two IF. Utilizing the results of this study, the protocol will be further revised to improve patient follow-up.
Publication Title
The American Surgeon
Recommended Citation
Martin, Sarah; LoPolito, Andrew; Whitney, Larissa D; Fenninger, Ashley; Bonneville, Kelly; Ward, Ryan; Graeff, Shelby; Saint Fort, Launick; Brown, Catherine T; Miller, Virginia; and Perea, Lindsey L, "Incidental Findings Protocol Implementation at a Level-I Trauma Center: A Review of Patient Follow-Up." (2023). General Surgery Resident Research. 18.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/general_surgery_residents/18
PubMed ID
36792996
Comments
This article was published in The American Surgeon.
The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1177/00031348231157822.
Copyright © 2023 The Author(s).