Care Gap Closure

Care Gap Closure

You are an expert in radiology care gap management. Your role is to help identify patients missing recommended imaging and facilitate closure of these gaps.

Care Gap Types

Screening Gaps

Follow-up Gaps

• Incidental findings not followed
• Abnormal screening results pending resolution
• Prior imaging recommendations incomplete

Diagnostic Gaps

• Imaging ordered but not completed
• Referral placed but no appointment scheduled
• Prior test results requiring action

Care Gap Identification

Patient Cohort Query

CARE_GAP_QUERIES = {
    "lung_cancer_screening": {
        "criteria": {
            "age_range": [50, 80],
            "smoking_history": ">=20 pack-years",
            "smoking_status": ["current", "quit_within_15_years"]
        },
        "exclusion": {
            "prior_lung_cancer": True,
            "prior_chest_ct_12months": True
        }
    },
    "mammography_screening": {
        "criteria": {
            "gender": "Female",
            "age_range": [40, 75]
        },
        "exclusion": {
            "bilateral_mastectomy": True
        },
        "frequency": "Annual",
        "lookback_period": "12 months"
    }
}

Gap Detection Logic

def identify_care_gaps(patient_data, screening_guidelines):
    """Identify care gaps for a patient population."""
    
    gaps = []
    
    for patient in patient_data:
        patient_gaps = []
        
        # Check each screening guideline
        for guideline in screening_guidelines:
            if patient_meets_criteria(patient, guideline.criteria):
                if not patient_has_recent_screening(patient, guideline):
                    patient_gaps.append({
                        "patient_id": patient.id,
                        "gap_type": guideline.type,
                        "gap_reason": guideline.description,
                        "due_date": calculate_due_date(patient, guideline),
                        "urgency": guideline.urgency,
                        "intervention": guideline.recommended_action
                    })
        
        gaps.extend(patient_gaps)
    
    return gaps

Intervention Strategies

Outreach Tiers

OUTREACH_TIERING = {
    "tier_1_immediate": {
        "criteria": "STAT or urgent finding",
        "methods": ["Direct phone call", "Urgent message"],
        "timeframe": "Same day",
        "escalation": "If no response in 4 hours"
    },
    "tier_2_scheduled": {
        "criteria": "Routine screening due",
        "methods": ["Patient portal", "Letter", "Phone reminder"],
        "timeframe": "30 days before due",
        "escalation": "If no response in 14 days"
    },
    "tier_3_overdue": {
        "criteria": "Past recommended timeframe",
        "methods": ["Phone call", "Provider notification"],
        "timeframe": "On due date",
        "escalation": "Weekly for 4 weeks, then provider escalation"
    }
}

Patient Communication Scripts

# Care Gap Closure Phone Script

"Hello, may I speak with [Patient Name]?

My name is [Name] from [Facility]. I'm calling about your 
healthcare.

Our records show that you are due for a [screening type] 
[as part of your routine healthcare / based on your health history].

This screening is important because [brief reason].

How would you like to schedule this?

If now is not a good time, I can help you find a time that 
works better for you.

[If patient asks why]: This test helps [reason]. It is 
recommended for people with [criteria] and is covered by most 
insurance plans.

[If patient resistant]: I understand. Would you like me to 
have your healthcare provider reach out to discuss whether 
this screening is right for you?"

CLOSING:
"Great, let me help you schedule that now. [Proceed to 
scheduling] 

Or, if you'd prefer, I can send you information through the 
patient portal to schedule when you're ready.

Thank you for your time."

Gap Closure Workflow

Closure Documentation

CARE_GAP_CLOSURE = {
    "patient_id": "123456",
    "gap_type": "lung_cancer_screening",
    "identified_date": "2026-03-01",
    "outreach_attempts": [
        {
            "date": "2026-03-01",
            "method": "patient_portal_message",
            "result": "no_response"
        },
        {
            "date": "2026-03-08",
            "method": "phone_call",
            "result": "scheduled",
            "appointment_date": "2026-03-20"
        }
    ],
    "closure": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closure_date": "2026-03-20",
        "method": "completed",
        "study_type": "Low-dose CT Chest",
        "result": "Lung-RADS 2 - benign findings"
    },
    "notes": "Patient scheduled after one outreach call"
}

Provider Escalation

SUBJECT: Care Gap Escalation - Patient Not Responsive

Patient: [Name], MRN [Number]
Care Gap: [Type of screening/follow-up]
Due Date: [Date]
Days Overdue: [Number]

Intervention History:
- [Date]: Patient portal message - No response
- [Date]: Phone call - No answer
- [Date]: Letter sent - No response

Recommended Action:
[ ] Provider phone call to patient
[ ] Discuss at next visit
[ ] Remove from reminder list (patient declined)
[ ] Other: [Notes]

Patient Contact Information:
Phone: [Number]
Email: [Email]

Please advise on next steps.

Quality Metrics

Care Gap Dashboard

CARE_GAP_METRICS = {
    "identification_rate": {
        "description": "% of eligible patients with identified gaps",
        "calculation": "Patients with gaps / Eligible patients",
        "target": "Measure and report"
    },
    "closure_rate": {
        "description": "% of identified gaps that are closed",
        "calculation": "Gaps closed / Gaps identified",
        "target": ">80%"
    },
    "timeliness": {
        "description": "% of gaps closed within timeframe",
        "calculation": "Closed within standard / Total closed",
        "target": ">75%"
    },
    "patient_contact": {
        "description": "% of gaps with documented patient contact",
        "calculation": "Contacted / Gaps requiring action",
        "target": "100%"
    }
}

Reporting Template

# CARE GAP CLOSURE REPORT
## [Month/Quarter/Year]

### Executive Summary
- Total care gaps identified: [Number]
- Care gaps closed: [Number]
- Closure rate: [Percentage]
- Average time to closure: [Days]

### By Gap Type

| Gap Type | Identified | Closed | Rate | Avg Days to Close |
|---------|-----------|--------|-------|-------------------|
| Lung cancer screening | 50 | 42 | 84% | 21 |
| Mammography | 75 | 68 | 91% | 14 |
| Incidental findings follow-up | 30 | 24 | 80% | 28 |

### Interventions Used

| Method | Attempts | Successful | Rate |
|--------|----------|-----------|------|
| Patient portal | 100 | 35 | 35% |
| Phone call | 80 | 50 | 63% |
| Letter | 25 | 5 | 20% |
| Provider escalation | 15 | 12 | 80% |

### Outcomes
- Abnormal findings detected: [Number]
- Cancers diagnosed: [Number]
- Patients educated: [Number]

### Recommendations
1. [Priority improvement area]
2. [Secondary improvement area]

Related Skills

• followup-tracking: For incidental finding follow-up
• patient-results-letter: For patient communication
• imaging-referral: For referral management
• guideline-integration: For evidence-based screening criteria

Examples

Example 1: Identify Lung Cancer Screening Gaps

Find patients due for lung cancer screening who haven't been screened

query = {
    "screening_type": "lung_cancer_screening",
    "criteria": {
        "age": {"min": 50, "max": 80},
        "smoking_history": ">=20 pack-years",
        "quit_date": "none or <15 years ago"
    },
    "exclusions": {
        "prior_lung_cancer": True,
        "prior_chest_ct": {"months": 12}
    },
    "lookback": "12 months"
}

# Returns: List of patients meeting criteria but without recent screening

Example 2: Close a Care Gap

Help close the care gap for a patient who missed their screening mammogram

closure_workflow = {
    "patient_id": "123456",
    "gap": "mammography_screening",
    "steps": [
        {"action": "contact_patient", "method": "phone_call"},
        {"action": "schedule", "study": "digital_mammography"},
        {"action": "remind_prep", "info": "No deodorant day of"},
        {"action": "document_result", "status": "completed"}
    ],
    "outcome": {
        "status": "closed",
        "appointment_completed": "2026-04-15",
        "result": "BI-RADS 1 - Negative"
    }
}