Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether our “reflex testing” (RefT) intervention, implemented to address barriers in scheduling, communication, and diagnostic order placement for resolving BI-RADS 0 screening mammograms, resulted in decreased interval wait times (IWT) for patients with abnormal screening mammograms (abSM). Methods: All BI-RADS 0 cases over two six-month periods (pre-RefT and post-RefT) were analyzed. Timelines were generated for each BI-RADS 0 case. Elapsed days were computed from date of BI-RADS 0 report to the date of biopsy, additional diagnostic testing, and final resolution. The means of each endpoint within the pre-RefT and post-RefT cohorts were statistically analyzed using Pearson chi-square analysis to assess whether IWT differed significantly after RefT implementation. Results: The analytic cohort consisted of 1523 BI-RADS 0 cases (n(pre-RefT) = 647, n(post-RefT) = 876). Reflex testing decreased the overall mean IWT from 23.5 to 8.2 days (P < 0.001). For patients not requiring biopsy (1190/1523, 78.1%), the mean IWT from the BI-RADS 0 designation to first diagnostic test or resolution decreased from 29.7 to 10.8 days (P < 0.010). For patients who had biopsy (333/1523, 21.9%), RefT significantly decreased the IWT from BI-RADS 0 to first diagnostic test from 31.4 to 7.7 days (P < 0.001) and also significantly decreased the IWT from first diagnostic test to biopsy (20.9 to 17.7 days; P < 0.013). Conclusion: Reflex testing intervention streamlines the workflow and significantly decreases IWT for resolving BI-RADS 0 abSM.The RefT intervention could be considered to improve efficiency at other breast centers.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 474-479 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Breast Imaging |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2022 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- BI-RADS 0
- breast cancer
- breast center
- mammography
- nurse navigator
- quality improvement
- reflex testing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging