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Lung cancer diagnoses are falling through the cracks

Lung cancer diagnoses are falling through the cracks

How can we reduce delays in lung cancer diagnosis and ensure follow-up?

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Broken patient journeys with missed follow-up

Up to 60% of lung cancers are found through incidental pulmonary nodule findings, but as few as 34% of these patients receive recommended follow-up care.1

When the nodules are mentioned in only the findings section of the radiology report, patients may not get any follow-up at all.2 This results in significant delays in diagnosis and treatment for patients with lung cancer.3

These delays increase probability of developing later-stage lung disease with higher mortality.

1Pyenson BS, Bazell CM, Bellanich MJ, Caplen MA, Zulueta JJ. No Apparent Workup for most new Indeterminate Pulmonary Nodules in US Commercially-Insured Patients. J Health Econ Outcomes Res. 2019 May 8;6(3):118-129. doi: 10.36469/9674. PMID: 32685585; PMCID: PMC7299483.
2Blagev DP, Lloyd JF, Conner K, Dickerson J, Adams D, Stevens SM, Woller SC, Evans RS, Elliott CG. Follow-up of incidental pulmonary nodules and the radiology report. J Am Coll Radiol. 2014 Apr;11(4):378-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2013.08.003. Epub 2013 Dec 6. PMID: 24316231.
3Wayne MT, Prescott HC, Arenberg DA (2022) Prevalence and consequences of non-adherence to an evidence-based approach for incidental pulmonary nodules. PLoS ONE 17(9): e0274107. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274107

How technology can help accelerate diagnosis and follow-up

Communication and coordination challenges along with lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities among primary care physicians and specialists contribute to the broken patient journeys for lung cancer.

Today, innovative technological advances are successfully addressing these types of care coordination challenges in healthcare, from stroke and pulmonary embolism to cerebral aneurysm. Viz.ai delivers a mobile and web-based platform to automate workflows and increase communication and care coordination with more than 35k users in 1,400+ hospitals. Backed by more than 100 publications, Viz.ai reduces time to treatment , lowers disability, and delivers proven efficiencies.

For example, FDA-cleared Viz Aneurysm software automatically detects suspected cerebral aneurysms and triages patients so that they receive proper monitoring and treatment.
 • Patients can be directed to Aneurysm Clinic with 1-click, automated workflow
 • 85% of patients with aneurysm were not referred for follow-up previously
 • 59% noted in the radiology report were not referred for follow-up previously

Auto-detect suspected cerebral aneurysm and view in real-time

Direct patients to the right specialist for monitoring and treatment

Watch this webinar on how Viz.ai is delivering better outcomes with improved care coordination at leading health systems

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