Interprofessional Lung Cancer Tumor Board: The Role of the Oncology Nurse Navigator in Improving Adherence to National Guidelines and Streamlining Patient Care

Background: Lung cancer traditionally has a high morbidity and mortality rate because of late diagnosis. Use of a tumor board has been noted as one way to improve patient care and quality of life.

Objectives: This article aimed to determine the contributions of an oncology nurse navigator (ONN) related to physician adherence to guidelines and streamlined patient care in an interprofessional lung cancer tumor board.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed for 18 months prior to and following implementation of the lung cancer tumor board.

Findings: After implementation of the lung cancer tumor board and the creation of clinical pathways by the ONN, diagnosis of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer and the use of diagnostic workups increased.