Centralized Screening Unit (CSU) at Montefiore-Einstein

This study proposes to increase Lung-cancer screening (LCS) in the Bronx, New York. Despite strong evidence that Lung-cancer screening (LCS) can reduce Lung cancer (LCa) deaths, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) referral rates by clinicians are very low and there is poor adherence with LCS by patients. Both provider and patient barriers may be amenable to systemic improvements in support, coordination and infrastructure for screening. The investigator team hypothesizes that the implementation of a Central Screening Unit (CSU) that shifts routine workflow attributed to LCS (e.g., collection of smoking history, determination of eligibility, shared decision making and arranging follow-up) away from busy practices (usual care) and that offers patients an array of navigation and support services will increase the uptake of LCS guidelines and subsequent low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening scans in a low-income, predominately Hispanic and Black catchment area. The proposed study represents a unique opportunity to test this hypothesis in the context of the roll out of a CSU as a significant new component of the Montefiore-Einstein health system. The investigator team will examine whether and how the CSU facilitates LCS uptake and retention of patients. This study is powered to test whether CSU reduces proportion of late-stage lung cancer diagnoses in the Bronx, New York.