Patients begin the program through a referral to the STAT Lung Program nurse navigator, who partners with the patient and family to begin the evaluation process. The navigator obtains the necessary clinical and demographic information about the patient and schedules any additional tests that are needed.
The navigator then schedules the patient for an appointment with a team of lung cancer experts at the Cancer Center. Depending on the patient’s situation, this appointment may include meetings with a thoracic surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist and/or a respiratory therapist.
Upon completion of the evaluation, the team will present the patient’s case at a multidisciplinary lung panel for discussion and formation of a plan of care. The patient’s referring physician will be advised of the plan and will be scheduled to meet with the lead physician and the nurse navigator.
The navigator will assist with the scheduling of the patient’s initial treatment, and she will continue to assist the patient with the scheduling of additional support services as needed.
“The nurse navigator plays a very important role in the STAT program. She provides complete support for the patient and family by facilitating communication, scheduling and more throughout the program,” Dr. Sprandio says.