Incidental Findings Protocol Implementation at a Level-I Trauma Center: A Review of Patient Follow-Up.
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-2023
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%,
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.
Volume
89
Issue
7
First Page
3174
Last Page
3179
ISSN
1555-9823
Published In/Presented At
Martin, S., LoPolito, A., Whitney, L. D., Fenninger, A., Bonneville, K., Ward, R., Graeff, S., Saint Fort, L., Brown, C. T., Miller, V., & Perea, L. L. (2023). Incidental Findings Protocol Implementation at a Level-I Trauma Center: A Review of Patient Follow-Up. The American surgeon, 89(7), 3174–3179. https://doi.org/10.1177/00031348231157822
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
36792996
Department(s)
Department of Surgery, Fellows and Residents
Document Type
Article