Pathology Navigators--focussing on Genomic testing management

Someone shared an article with me this week regarding Pathology Navigators.  I confess, I hadn't heard about this, but it's currently in practice at Spartanburg Regional in South Carolina.  I wondered, what does this navigator focus on and I found “The navigators handle all aspects of ordering, tracking, and resulting in molecular testing on pathology samples,” including some liquid biopsies, the article states.  We all know what a challenge Genomic testing can be, but we also all know how important it is to be timely for our patients--this seems like a great way for navigators to make an impact.  

Am I just in the dark? Do other centers have pathology navigators or navigators who focus on Genomic testing management?  I'd love to hear more. 

www.captodayonline.com/pathology-navigat...iciencies/?print=pdf

Hello,
Here at Northern Light Cancer Institute in Maine we have had a Genomic research/navigator for about 2 years. She receives the tumor profiling order from the Physician, completes the testing requisition, communicates the order to pathology to have the specimen sent out for testing the same day, then sends results to Physician when available and looks for any possible clinical trial, based on those results, that the patient may be eligible for. We have decreased our result time to half and have processed over 400 orders thus far.

This is interesting. I have not heard of a pathology navigator before.

Hi there, at our clinic in Santa Barbara we have 2 navigators who manage molecular testing orders in addition to carrying out their regular navigator tasks. 

One person manages all Oncotype orders for breast cancer cases. As surgical results come in, this navigator reviews the pathology reports, and if a patient meets testing criteria, the navigator will contact the medical oncologist to confirm the order. This navigator will submit statements of medical necessity, ensure prior authorization is obtained, complete the requisition, upload the report into the EHR, notify the care team, and adjust appointments if needed.

Currently we're doing a trial of me handling all other molecular testing orders for about half our doctors (4 med oncs). For these patients, I don't proactively review pathology reports. I wait until the doctor has placed the order and worked with our EHR team to receive notifications when they are authorized. That is the point when I submit the requisition, notify and communicate with patients (ex: notify them the lab will reach out to coordinate mobile phlebotomy), notify the care team of results, etc. 

In our observation, having navigators taking on the molecular testing orders has reduced physician burden and improved patient care (improved timeliness of care, reduced errors on requisitions, etc.). We're a small enough clinic, and we suggested taking these on to our med oncs. So far I've heard really positive feedback from the docs. 
 

Hi Christine,
This is exactly what our Genomic research nurse does. We have 14 Physicians, and she follows the same process as you do and agree she has been invaluable in reducing the time to sample send out to same day, to result reporting time being cut in half.

Hi Carla, thanks for sharing. It's helpful to our team as we consider expanding this service to all med oncs at our clinic. Does your genomic research nurse work full time exclusively managing these tests?