Duke Cancer Institute (DCI) recently launched two new programs that expedite entry into the DCI system for diagnosis and expert-level treatment. These innovations are part of DCI's commitment to improve referral communication and enhance patient care.
Our referring provider team makes referring patients to Duke Cancer Centers efficient and easy. Call Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
You can also email OncologyReferral@Duke.edu or use the referral form below.
Our referring provider team makes referring patients to Duke Cancer Centers efficient and easy. Call Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
You can also email OncologyReferral@Duke.edu or use the referral form below.
48-hour rapid appointment scheduling
DCI's new oncology access center simplifies the physician referral process and accelerates patient scheduling. Referring providers call 1-866-DUKE-123 to speak with the DCI concierge team.
Disease-specific new patient coordinators gather all the necessary information to ensure a comprehensive initial visit with a Duke oncologist within 48 hours. They also schedule clinical tests and multidisciplinary appointments, secure medical records, and remain in contact with referring providers to report back on patient appointments, results, and follow-up care.
Jennifer Kennedy-Stovall, director of DCI Access Operations and Patient Experience, led the effort to improve the 48-hour access referral process. "We have made the process easy for referring providers while helping their patients receive care quickly," says Kennedy-Stovall.
Expanding rapid diagnostic clinic services
DCI also expanded access to the Cancer Diagnostic Clinic. Referring providers who identify a potential malignancy can submit an electronic communication to the clinic, which initiates a workflow that fast-tracks each patient's pathway to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Once a provider submits an electronic communication, an oncology APP reviews it and responds to the referring provider within two days with appropriate next steps. Then, the patient's initial telehealth visit is scheduled within 48 hours, followed by diagnostic tests and an appointment with an oncologist.
"Telehealth helps us speed up the diagnostic and treatment process, and it's more efficient and convenient for patients," says Kara Threatt DNP, RN, MSN, ANP, AOCNP, Assistant Director of Clinical Operations. Patients also benefit from reduced emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and unnecessary diagnostic tests.
"Faster results lead to faster care," says Threatt. "We want to prevent patients sitting in an emergency room for a diagnostic workup, or waiting days after a scan to know their results and treatment plan."
From March 2021 to August 2023, the program resulted in over 1,000 electronic communications and over half led to oncology appointment recommendations. Threatt and her team have built relationships with Duke specialty groups and referring community partners to maximize utilization.
As the program's service access nurse, Lauren Totoris, BSN, RN, manages the electronic communications and coordinates with internal and external referring providers to get their patients into the Cancer Diagnostic Clinic service. Referring providers outside of North Carolina, or those not using Epic/MedLink, can call 1-866-DUKE-123 to initiate their referrals.
"I help referring providers and patients navigate travel, in-person appointments, diagnostic tests, and their ongoing care plan," says Totoris. "We ensure each patient gets the right care and help them feel supported."
