About QUILS™ - SUMMIT
What is QUILS™ - SUMMIT?
QUILS™ – SUMMIT is a national randomized trial designed to help lung cancer screening programs (LCSPs) optimize their delivery and outcomes. Funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) [UG3CA305778], the study examines implementation of the full QUILS ™ system in LCSPs across the country. (The official title of the study is “Facilitating Scale-Up and Sustainment of High-Quality Screening Using the QUILS System.”)
What is the QUILS™ System?
The full QUILS™ System includes four components: (1) a quantitative assessment of quality, (2) an audit and feedback process, (3) access to curated online resources, and (4) program-specific practice facilitation to assist LCSPs’ address priority issues.
The assessment evaluates 7 key domains of delivering high-quality lung cancer screening across 21 quality elements. Responses to the assessment identify what is working well in a LCSP and areas that may be opportunities for improvement. Participating programs are then presented with an action plan and high-quality resources to address growth areas. Finally, live assistance from QUILS™ – SUMMIT subject matter experts is conducted through tailored practice facilitation to ensure LCSPs receive the support they need to improve program quality and outcomes.
What are potential benefits of participating in QUILS™ - SUMMIT?
Resources & Knowledge
- Access to expert guidance and educational resources
- Access to evidence-based implementation strategies
- Networking with lung cancer screening experts
- Potential to receive audit and feedback from QUILS™
- Potential to receive practice facilitation from QUILS™
Practical & Financial Support
- Quality assessment at no cost
- Sites receive four (4) implementation stipends of $4,000 each
- Support for ACR-ELCDR (American College of Radiology Early Lung Cancer Detection Registry) membership and data submission
Quality & Performance
- Enhance ability to meet quality metrics and accreditation standards
- Potential to improve screening uptake
Broader Impact
- Contribution to advancing lung cancer screening nationally
What will my LCSP site need to do?
Commit to 24-months of active participation after enrollment
Complete four, 30-minute structured interviews over the two-year study implementation period
Complete 30-minute online surveys at each time point: baseline, 6mos, 12mos, and 24mos
Upload required data to ACR-LCSR (Note: Sites not currently in the ACR-LCSR will receive full support to join)
Which LCSPs are taking part / can take part in the QUILS™ - SUMMIT study?
Throughout 2026-2027, the QUILS™ – SUMMIT team are recruiting up to 70 LCSPs from across the country. To be eligible, a LCSP must have been operating for at least 12 months by the time the study begins (September 2027), and have conducted at least 25 low-dose CT scans over the past year. Programs must also have at least two team members interested in participating and be willing to submit data to the ACR-ELCDR. (Sites not currently in the ACR-ELCDR will receive support to join as part of the study.)
How do I find out more about participating in QUILS™ - SUMMIT?
If you would like to learn some more about the QUILS™ – SUMMIT project, please complete this brief Interest Form, which will ask for your contact information as well as how you would like to receive more information. You may also contact the QUILS-SUMMIT Team’s Engagement Coordinator, Ameesah Cotten, at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
Who is leading QUILS™ - SUMMIT?
QUILS™ – SUMMIT is led by three Principal Investigators: Jamie L. Studts, PhD, University of Colorado Cancer Center; and Timothy W. Mullett, MD, and Jennifer R. Knight, DrPH, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center.
Key partners in the initiative include the American College of Radiology – Early Lung Cancer Detection Registry (ACR-ELCDR); the American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, LUNGevity Foundation, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and the American Lung Association.
QUILS™ - SUMMIT informational resources
Description: Two-page overview of the QUILS™ – SUMMIT study to share with Lung Cancer Screening Programs (LCSPs) who may be interested in participating.
Purpose: Provide an overview of the QUILS™ – Summit Project to engage LCSPs in wanting to learn more about participation
Target Audience: LCSP leadership and team members
Description: FAQ about the QUILS™ Summit project to discuss with Lung Cancer Screening Programs (LCSPs) who may have more questions.
Purpose: Used as a follow-up to the digital two-pager or tri-fold brochure for LCSPs that have more questions prior to showing official interest in participation
Target Audience: LCSP Leadership with additional questions
Description: Brochure about the QUILS™ Summit project to discuss with potential Lung Cancer Screening Programs (LCSPs)
Purpose: In-person resource to use during conferences or in-person meetings to engage LCSPs
Target Audience: LCSP Teams
Description: Palm Card highlighting benefits of participating in the QUILS™ Summit project
Purpose: In person resource used to accompany the tri-fold brochure for LCSPs
Target Audience: LCSP Teams
If you would like us to mail you printed copies of the QUILS™ -SUMMIT informational resources, please complete the Printed Materials Request Form. If you have any questions, please contact the QUILS™-SUMMIT Team’s Engagement Coordinator, Ameesah Cotten, at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, summit@cuanschutz.edu.