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A novel remote assessment pathway to streamline the management of two-week-wait suspected head and neck cancer referrals: a prospective analysis of 660 patients.

Metcalfe, Christopher; Oh, Soo; Glazzard, Nina; Ross, Elizabeth; George, Ajith

Authors

Christopher Metcalfe

Soo Oh

Nina Glazzard

Elizabeth Ross

Ajith George



Abstract

This study analyses outcomes for 660 patients managed via a novel telescopic pathway for suspected head and neck cancer referrals. Data were collected prospectively between January 2021 and December 2022, capturing all two-week-wait referrals triaged as low risk and managed via a nurse-led clinic for nasendoscopic examination and consultant-led remote assessment. In total, 660 patients were included. There were six head and neck cancers diagnosed, giving a conversion rate of 0.9 per cent. Mean (standard deviation) time to informing the patient whether they did or did not have cancer (28-day faster diagnosis standard) was 28.6 days (20.2), with no significant difference observed in patients imaged prior to review ( = 0.63). No missed cancers were detected in the follow-up period. Low-risk head and neck cancer referrals can be safely managed in a nurse-led clinic for recorded examination with asynchronous consultant-led management. Further work is required to ensure adherence to the new faster diagnosis standard.

Citation

Metcalfe, C., Oh, S., Glazzard, N., Ross, E., & George, A. (in press). A novel remote assessment pathway to streamline the management of two-week-wait suspected head and neck cancer referrals: a prospective analysis of 660 patients. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1017/S002221512400015X

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 26, 2023
Online Publication Date Jan 19, 2024
Deposit Date Mar 11, 2024
Journal The Journal of laryngology and otology
Print ISSN 0022-2151
Electronic ISSN 1748-5460
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Pages 1-5
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/S002221512400015X
Keywords head and neck cancer, coronavirus disease 2019, technology, telemedicine


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