Development of a multidisciplinary program for evaluation and treatment of pancreatic cancer in a community healthcare system.

303 Background: The incidence and mortality of pancreas cancer is rising in the United States. Only patients who are able to have complete (R0) resection have the potential of cure. Optimal surgical outcomes are influenced by local center volume and multidisciplinary support. We describe the development of a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and treatment of pancreas cancer in a community health care system. Methods: This project was initiated by the WellStar Cancer Program, encompassing 5 hospitals. An Institutional Guideline was developed, based upon NCCN, with refinements related to local capabilities and preferences. The Guideline emphasized the review of cases at a weekly tumor board for multidisciplinary coordination of care. Standards for staging evaluations, medical imaging, chemotherapy choices, radiation therapy, and surgical approach were included. A GI Nurse Navigator attended the conferences and assisted in the coordination of care. Specific outcomes were tracked by the Nurse Navig...