6 Steps to a Successful Pancreatic Surveillance Program
Up to 20% of MRIs identify a pancreatic cyst, but at least half of patients with identified cysts receive no follow-up. With early detection critical in pancreatic cancer, Dr. Russell Langan of RWJBarnabas Health couldn't accept that status quo. In this perspective, he shares the framework he developed – from tool selection to workflow development – to build a pancreatic cyst surveillance program that has driven the following outcomes:
-
37x
increase
in new patients requiring follow-up -
77%
return rate
for high-risk patients -
55%
of cancers
found in early stages
(I, II, and III)
Early detection and management takes the right tech and team
Identifying pancreatic cysts early creates an opportunity to intervene before cancer develops, but surveillance is essential to risk stratification and timely clinical action.
Key Requirements:
- Selecting a tool that goes beyond detection to support long-term pancreatic surveillance
- Ensuring the right navigator or coordinator can anchor follow-up for your program
Standardize workflows and determine if a centralized model is best for your system
Pancreatic cyst surveillance is not a one-time event. Health systems must establish evidence-based workflows as well as careful monitoring and coordination -- across sites and over time.
Core Configuration:
- Aligning process with established guidelines that can be applied consistently
- Centralizing surveillance or allowing sites to manage their own workflows, depending on your system's needs
Automate long-term surveillance and engage referring providers early
Structured surveillance programs adapt automatically to evolving risk, enabling timely follow-up and treatment. Simple referral pathways facilitate program activation.
Program Priorities
- Leveraging AI to capture any new imaging across the EMR and adapting the care plan as needed
- Aligning with surgery, GI, radiology, and oncology stakeholders and reporting impact metrics for executive buy-in