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Ideally, quality indicators are developed with the input of professional groups involved in the care of patients. This project, led by the Thoracic Oncology Network and Quality Improvement Committee of the American College of Chest Physicians, had the goal of developing quality indicators related to the evaluation and staging of lung cancer patients.

METHODS: Evidence based guidelines were used to generate a list of process of care quality indicators. Project members revised the content and wording of this list. A survey of the Steering Committee of the Thoracic Oncology Network was performed to rate the validity, feasibility, and relevance of the indicators. Predefined thresholds were used to select indicators from this list. This process was repeated for the selected indicators, through a survey available to all members of the Thoracic Oncology Network. Three academic medical centers determined if the surviving indicators were feasible and relevant within their practices.

RESULTS: 18 quality indicators were drafted. Eleven survived the first round of voting, and 7 survived the second round of voting. One was related to tissue acquisition for molecular testing, 4 were related to staging and stage documentation, 1 to smoking cessation counseling, and one to documentation of a performance status measure. The indicators were feasible and relevant within the practices assessed.

CONCLUSIONS: We have defined 7 process of care quality indicators related to the evaluation and staging of lung cancer patients, felt to be valid, feasible, and relevant, by lung cancer specialists.