Elmhurst Hospital designated as Lung Cancer Screening Center by ACR

This designation is the only national recognition from ACR focused specifically on lung cancer screening imaging. The Elmhurst Hospital earned the designation after meeting rigorous standards in clinical care, imaging quality, radiation safety, physician expertise, patient follow-up and quality assurance.

“I am enormously proud of this designation and how it highlights the extraordinary level of coordination and collaboration across our health care teams,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst CEO Alina Moran said. “More importantly, the ACR designation is a tribute to the life-saving work being done every day by our hospital in underserved communities. Many of our patients come from working families facing significant economic challenges and might never receive these critical screenings without the dedicated outreach, education and support provided by our clinicians.”

The hospital, located at 79-01 Broadway in Elmhurst, was required to maintain ACR CT accreditation, utilize low-dose CT screening protocols meant to minimize exposure to radiation, take part in the ACR Lung Cancer Screening Registry and ensure examinations are interpreted by highly-qualified physicians who were experts in chest imaging. Additionally, Elmhurst Hospital and other Lung Cancer Screening Centers must use the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System to support consistent follow-up care and improve patient outcomes.

“The strength of a public hospital is measured by its ability to bring advanced care directly to the community,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Chief Medical Officer Dr. Laura Iavicoli said. “This designation reinforces Elmhurst’s role as a leader in equitable cancer prevention and early detection.”

Elmhurst Hospital’s Lung Cancer Screening program is focused on identifying lung cancer in its patients at the earliest and most treatable stages through advanced low-dose CT screening technology, patient navigation and comprehensive follow-up care.

“Bringing lung cancer screening excellence to Elmhurst Hospital means providers are looking for cancers early, as this improves survival and quality of life, allowing patients to go home to their families in many cases cured and continue to make this community one of the most unique places to live in the country,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Division Chief Dr. Alfredo Astua said. “I invite everyone to speak to their loved ones and encourage them to be screened for lung cancer by talking to their providers or calling our patient navigator. For screening, there is no preparation; it is fast and easy. We treat everyone, no exceptions.”

Nearly 900 patients have been served and close to 1,500 CT scans have been conducted since the Lung Cancer Screening program was created at Elmhurst Hospital. Eligible patients typically include adults between 50 and 80 years of age with a long smoking history.

“We are bringing early lung cancer detection to the heart of Queens, because where you live should never decide when the cancer is found,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Chief of Interventional Pulmonary Medicine Dr. Muhammad Perwaiz said.

While lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, early detection via screenings can vastly improve survival rates.

“As a surgeon who treats patients with lung cancer, I see firsthand how critical early detection can be,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Attending Physician and Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Daniel Laskey said. “When lung cancer is identified through screening at an earlier stage, patients often have more treatment options available to them and a significantly greater chance of successful outcomes. This designation recognizes our commitment to providing high-quality screening services and ensuring that patients in our community have access to potentially lifesaving care before symptoms ever appear.”

Those interested in learning more about the lung cancer screening services offered at Elmhurst Hospital can visit the location or call them at (718)-334-4051.