Which are the limiting factors in lung tissue sampling and diagnostic accuracy for a new Interventional Pulmonology Unit? From expert consensus-based evidence to results of a new-born Unit

BACKGROUND: There is a gap of knowledge about the factors that may determine the quality and the accuracy of diagnostic bronchoscopic procedures when setting up a new Interventional Pulmonology Unit. As little evidence-based medicine is available on this matter, an online consensus opinion of experts was gathered and compared with real-life data coming from a new Interventional Pulmonology (IP) Unit. METHODS: A survey was emailed to the heads of all Italian IP Units to investigate the factors influencing the success of the diagnostic yield of a new IP Unit. The survey consisted of 24 items grouped by topic; the level of agreement ranged from 1 (no influence) to 7 (strong influence). After responses were collected, we submitted the data on the accuracy of the endoscopic procedures performed during the first two years of our new IP Unit to the attention of the participants for a second round of survey; the level of consistency between the first and second round of responses was assessed. RESULTS: After having been shown the results of the first two years of activity of our Unit, in the second round of the survey the responders indicated the personal skills of the Interventional Pulmonologist, the availability of echoendoscopic technology and the expertise in evaluating cytological samples as the factors able to positively influence the performance of a newly established IP Unit. Neither the role of dedicated nursing assistance, the availability of a rapid on-site evaluation, nor the presence of anesthesiology assistance were considered to be limiting factors for the final accuracy results. CONCLUSIONS: A consensus of opinion of a group of expert interventional pulmonologists highlighted the factors that may be responsible for the diagnostic success of a newly established Italian IP Unit. These factors are mainly three: personal skills of the interventional pulmonologist, the availability of echoendoscopic technology, and the expertise in reading cytological samples.