Surgical Science, 2013, 4, 443-447
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ss.2013.410087 Published Online October 2013 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/ss)
Are “Straight to Test” Pathways Always Best for Patients?
A Prospective Observational Study of Two-Week-Wait
Colorectal Referrals
Frances Mosley1*, Jon R. Ausobsky2, John P. Griffith2
1Yorkshire and the Humber Deanery, Bradford, UK
2Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK
Received August 27, 2013; revised September 25, 2013; accepted October 3, 2013
Copyright © 2013 Frances Mosley et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
ABSTRACT
Aim: Many centres have adopted a straight to test approach to deliver a fast-track service for suspected lower GI cancer.
We undertook a prospective comparison between patients having a straight to test (STT) flexible sigmoidoscopy and
those attending an outpatient appointment (OPA). The study aimed to determine whether STT reduced diagnostic time
without additional investigations. Methods: An observational study of 200 consecutive fast-track colorectal referrals
was undertaken. Data collected included: patient demographics, whether STT or OPA, investigations undertaken (in-
cluding dates) and final diagnosis. Outcomes were compared by adjusted linear regression and logistic regression, for
numerical and binary outcomes respectively. Potential confounding factors included were: age, gender and whether
NICE referral criteria were achieved. Results: 186 out of 200 referrals attended their appointment, 62% (116/186) went
STT and 38% (70/186) had an OPA. No significant difference was seen in the number of days to final investigation,
adjusted coefficient −3.71, 95% C.I. −8.92 to 1.50. The STT group had 0.4 more tests per patient, adjusted 95% C.I.
0.07 to 0.73, than the OPA group. Significantly more patients in the STT group had a flexible sigmoidoscopy in addi-
tion to whole colonic imaging (all modalities), compared to the OPA group, adjusted OR of 93.47 (95% C.I. 29.26 to
298.54). Conclusion: This study highlights the potential disadvantages of STT flexible sigmoidoscopy for patients re-
ferred under the two-week-rule with suspected lower GI cancer. Despite the previously published work highlighting the
potential cost and time benefits, it may come at the sacrifice of exposing patients to additional investigations.
Keywords: Colorectal Neoplasms (MeSH); Endoscopy; Gastrointestinal (MeSH); Colorectal Surgery (MeSH);
2-Week-Wait; Fast-Track; Straight to Test (No MeSH Term)
1. Background
Colorectal cancer causes significant morbidity and mor-
tality worldwide; it is the second most common cancer in
England and Wales [1] and the third most common in the
US [2] and Canada [3]. The symptoms of colorectal can-
cer are highly variable but can commonly include a
change in bowel habit and rectal bleeding [4]. NICE have
produced referral guidelines for patients with suspected
lower GI cancer and it is predicted that 80% - 85% of
those with colorectal cancer fulfil these criteria [5,6].
Whilst being highly sensitive, the referral criteria have
low specificity with a typical rate of diagnosis between
6% and 7% [7-9]. The Cancer Reform Strategy published
in 2007 [10] stipulates that these referrals, commonly
termed fast-track referrals, must be seen by a specialist
within 2 weeks. Despite the low rate of colorectal cancer
diagnosis, the number of referrals continues to increase
and represents a significant workload to most hospitals.
Nationally a variety of strategies have been employed
to aid delivery of this diagnostic service. One approach
adopted by multiple centres is for the patient to go
“straight to test”, as opposed to the traditional route of
attending an initial outpatient appointment. The use of
flexible sigmoidoscopy (along with a full blood count)
rather than a method of whole colonic imaging, was ad-
vocated by Thompson et al. in 2008 [11], and straight to
test flexible sigmoidoscopy has been shown to be an ef-
fective method of delivering this diagnostic service [9].
However, not all centres are using straight to test flexible
sigmoidoscopy; some are using colonoscopy [12,13] or
*Corresponding author.
C
opyright © 2013 SciRes. SS

F. MOSLEY ET AL. 444
triaging the patient to the most appropriate investigation
being dependent on referral information [14].
Previous studies have focused on achieving the two-
week-wait target [9,13], cost-effectiveness [13] or the
acceptability of the diagnostic pathway to patients [12].
This study was undertaken at a single centre where some
patients went straight to test having a flexible sigmoido-
scopy, whilst others had an initial outpatient review. We
aimed to determine whether straight to test flexible-
sigmoidoscopy led to a shorter diagnostic time without
increasing the number of investigations required.
2. Method
Data was collected from 200 consecutive “fast-track”
referrals to the colorectal department at Bradford Royal
Infirmary. All referrals were referred from their G. P.
with suspected lower G. I. cancer, under the two-week-
wait rule. Data was collected prospectively. Referral de-
tails were collected on a weekly basis from the fast-track
coordination office. Patient and referral details including:
age, gender, date of referral and symptoms at referral
were collected from the referral letter. The symptoms
stated on the referral letter were used to determine
whether the NICE referral criteria had been met. Details
regarding the patient’s first attendance were collected
either directly from the clinic or, where this was not pos-
sible the clinic letter was reviewed. All subsequent in-
vestigations, including dates, were recorded. To ensure
no investigations were missed the patient’s clinical notes
were reviewed again after they had attended a follow-up
appointment. Final diagnosis information was gained
from review of the final clinic letter.
Patients were included if they attended for their ap-
pointment; patients who cancelled their referral or did
not attend on multiple occasions (and were discharged
back to their G. P.) were not included. Patients were ei-
ther seen in a straight to test (flexible sigmoidoscopy)
appointment or standard outpatient appointment. Most
patients went straight to test; patients were seen in an
outpatient for two reasons: the majority were due to a
lack of capacity in the straight to test clinic, a small num-
ber were triaged, from the referral letter, due to likely
frailty (based on their age) or symptoms of anaemia.
Statistical Analysis
Statistical analysis was undertaken using Stata version
11.0. The two groups of patients were compared for sev-
eral outcomes: number of tests undertaken, number of
days to final investigation, number of patients having
flexible sigmoidoscopy, whole colonic imaging (of any
modality) and the number having flexible sigmoidoscopy
in addition to whole colonic imaging. Potential con-
founding factors that were included in the regression
models were: age, gender and whether fast-track referral
criteria were fulfilled (based on referral letter).
The numerical outcomes (number of tests and number
of days to final investigation) were analysed by linear
regression; the regression being undertaken with and
without potential confounding factors. The assumptions
of the model were checked by confirming that residuals
were normally distributed (histogram) and variance con-
stant across residuals. The remaining outcomes (all bi-
nary) were analysed by logistic regression; again being
undertaken with and without potential confounding fac-
tors. The significance level for all test was set; p < 0.05.
3. Results
200 consecutive referrals were recruited to the study, of
these 7% (14/200) were not included as they cancelled
their referral or failed to attend on multiple occasions. Of
the 14 excluded half (7/14) were initially allocated an
outpatient appointment and half a straight to test ap-
pointment, those who failed to attend were sent out at
least one further outpatient appointment. Of the 186 pa-
tients who attended 62.4% (116/186) were first seen in a
straight to test flexible sigmoidoscopy appointment and
37.6% (70/186) were seen in an outpatient appointment.
3.1. Basic Characteristics of Study Population
The outpatient appointment group were significantly
older than those in the straight to test group, at 72.2 and
62.7 years respectively (see Table 1). The gender distri-
bution was similar in both groups, with almost two thirds
of referrals being female. Significantly more patients met
the NICE referral criteria in the outpatient appointment
group, 95.7% (67/70) compared to 76.5% (88/115) of the
straight to test group, however despite this the rate of
colorectal cancer diagnosis was almost identical at 5.7%
(4/70) and 6.0% (7/115) respectively. One referral letter
was missing and therefore not included in this analysis.
3.2. Total Number of Investigations
The mean number of investigations undertaken in the
straight to test group was 2.24 compared to 1.93 in the
outpatient appointment group. The un-adjusted and ad-
justment linear regression analysis were both significant;
those in the straight to test group had 0.40 more investi-
gations than the outpatient appointment group (adjusted
95% C. I. 0.07 to 0.73), p = 0.02; see Table 2.
3.3. Time to Final Investigation
The mean number of days to final investigation was
26.44 and 30.74, for the straight to test and outpatient
appointment groups respectively. This difference, ad-
justed coefficient −3.71, 95% C.I. −8.92 to 1.50, however

F. MOSLEY ET AL. 445
Table 1. Basic characteristics of the study participants. Shown for all patients (n = 186) and by group, straight to test (n = 116)
and outpatient appointment (n = 70). p-values for statistical comparisons are also given.
All attending
patients (n = 186 ) Straight to test (n = 116) outpatient appointment (n = 70) Statistical test, p-value
Age in years, Mean (SD) 66.3 (14.4) 62.7 (13.8) 72.2 (13.4) t-test p < 0.001
Proportion female, percent (frequency) 64.0% (119/186) 65.5% (76/116) 61.4% (43/70) Chi-square p = 0.6
Proportion fulfilling FT criteria,
percent (frequency) 83.8% (155/185) 76.5% (88/115) 95.7% (67/70) Chi-squared p = 0.001
Proportion diagnosed with CRC,
percent (frequency) 5.9% (11/186) 6.0% (7/116) 5.7% (4/70) Chi-squared p = 0.9
Table 2. Linear regression results and descriptive statistics for the number of tests and number of days to final test in the
straight to test and outpatient appointment groups; adjusted and unadj usted results are displayed. All Values given to 2 d.p.
except p-values given to 1 s.f.
Linear regression, unadjusted Adjusted Linear regression
Straight to
test (n = 116) Outpatient appointment (n = 70)Coefficient (95% C.I.)p-valueCoefficient (95% C.I.)p-value
Number of tests,
mean (SD) 2.24 (0.79) 1.93 (1.38) 0.31 (0.00003 to 0.63)0.05 0.40 (0.07 to 0.73) 0.02
Days to final test,
mean (SD) 26.44 (14.64) 30.74 (18.70) −4.30 (−9.16 to 0.56) 0.08 −3.71 (−8.92 to 1.50) 0.2
did not achieve statistical significance in either the ad-
justed or unadjusted linear regression analysis; adjusted p
= 0.2.
3.4. Investigations Undertaken
3.4.1. Fl ex i b l e S i gmoidoscopy
The types of investigations undertaken in the two groups
are compared in Table 3. 96.6% (112/116) of those who
went straight to test had a flexible sigmoidoscopy com-
pared to just 11.4% (8/70) of those who went to outpa-
tient appointment. This difference is highly significant (p
< 0.001), with an adjusted odds ratio of 222.93 (95% C.I.
57.16 to 869.44).
3.4.2. Whole Colonic Imaging
CT colonography, colonoscopy and barium enema are
three different methods of evaluating the whole colon. In
both groups the majority of patients required full colonic
imaging, there was, however, a difference observed be-
tween the two groups. 86.2% (100/116) of those in the
straight to test and 71.4% (50/70) of the outpatient ap-
pointment group required whole colon imaging. This
difference was statistically significant (p = 0.004) with an
adjusted OR 3.48 (95% C.I. 1.50 to 8.11). Table 4 pro-
vides a breakdown of the types of whole colonic imaging
used in each group.
3.4.3. Whole Colonic Imaging in Addition to
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
The proportion of patient having flexible sigmoidoscopy
in addition to a modality of whole colonic imaging was
evaluated. 83.6% (97/116) of those in the straight to test
group had both a flexible sigmoidoscopy and whole
colonic imaging compared to just 7.1% (5/70) of the
outpatient appointment group. This difference was highly
significant with an adjusted OR of 93.47 (95% C.I. 29.26
to 298.54), p < 0.001.
4. Discussion
Straight-to-test pathways have been widely adopted
across the UK for investigation of new patient referrals,
including fast-track referrals with suspected lower G. I.
cancer [8,13,14]. To our knowledge this is the first study
to compare straight to test with conventional outpatient
review for the number and type of investigations under-
taken. The principle of straight to test is that it reduces
the number of steps taken, by removing the initial outpa-
tient review. Previous studies have been able to demon-
strate that this produces a significant time benefit; a re-
cent study observed a reduction in median time to treat-
ment of 6 days [8]. We evaluated time to final investiga-
tion, the mean was 4 days shorter for the straight to test
group, this difference failed to achieve statistical signifi-
cance however the study was under-powered to detect a
difference of this size. Additionally, a difference of this
magnitude may not be considered important by patients
and does not affect the delivery of 31 and 62 day targets.
In addition to failing to demonstrate a time advantage we
found that the straight to test group had more investiga-
tions than those first attending an outpatient appointment.

F. MOSLEY ET AL. 446
Table 3. Logistic regression results for the investigations undertaken in the straight to test and outpatient appointment
groups; adjuste d and unadjusted results are displayed. Percentages given to 1 d.p., OR and C.I. given to 2 d.p., and p-values
given to 1 s.f.
Logistic regression, unadjustedAdjusted Logistic regression
Straight to
test (n = 116) Outpatient appointment (n = 70)OR (95% C.I.) p-value OR (95% C.I.) p-value
Flexible sigmoidoscopy,
percent (frequency) 96.6%
(112/116)
11.4%
(8/70)
217
(62.82 to 749.63) <0.001 222.93 (57.16 to 869.44) <0.001
Whole colonic imaging,
percent (frequency) 86.2% (100/116)
71.4%
(50/70)
2.5
(1.19 to 5.24) 0.02 3.48 (1.50 to 8.11) 0.004
Flexi-sigmoidoscopy and
Whole colonic imaging,
percent (frequency)
83.6%
(97/116)
7.1%
(5/70)
66.37
(23.60 to 186.65) <0.001 93.47 (29.26 to 298.54) <0.001
Table 4. Methods of whole colonic imaging, shown for all patients (n = 186) and by group, straight to test (n = 116) and out-
patient appointment (n = 70).
Method of Whole colonic imaging All attending patients (n = 186)Straight to test (n = 1 1 6)outpatient appointment (n = 70)
Colonoscopy, percent (frequency) 53.8% (100/186) 51.7% (60/116) 57.1% (40/70)
Barium enema, percent (frequency) 19.9% (37/186) 29.3% (34/116) 4.3% (3/70)
CT Colonography, percent (frequency) 13.4% (25/186) 8.6 % ](10/116) 21.4% (15/70)
There were some expected differences in the patterns
of investigation between the two groups. Significantly
more of the straight to test group had a flexible sigmoi-
doscopy and in addition more had a barium enema. The
reason a barium enema was more often selected in these
patients, than those attending for outpatient review, is a
reflection that all these patients had already had their left
colon examined by flexible sigmoidoscopy [9,15].
There were differences between the two groups of pa-
tients; the outpatient appointment group were signifi-
cantly older and with a higher proportion of patients
meeting the referral criteria. With these differences ad-
justed for there was a significant difference in the num-
ber requiring whole colonic imaging, with more of those
in the straight to test group having this; this difference is
not readily explicable in this study.
The most significant finding in terms of the pattern of
investigation was that 83.6% (97/116) of the straight to
test group had flexible sigmoidoscopy in addition to
whole colonic imaging compared to just 7.1% (5/70) of
the outpatient appointment group. Given that most pa-
tients were judged by their clinician to need whole colo-
nic imaging, it would appear that the majority of the pa-
tients in the straight to test group had a superfluous flexi-
ble sigmoidoscopy. With the low specificity of the refer-
ral criteria this requirement for whole colonic imaging in
a significant proportion of patients seems almost inevita-
ble. Whilst it had been suggested that whole colon imag-
ing could be limited to those with iron deficiency anae-
mia, this is not a universally accepted policy. Whole co-
lon imaging will not only identify a number of right
sided malignancies that may otherwise have been missed,
but also facilitates the diagnosis of non-malignant pa-
thology [11,16].
Straight to test may also represent a disadvantage to
the provider, in particular the demand for endoscopic
investigations. We observed that a significant number of
those having a flexible sigmoidoscopy went on to have a
colonoscopy. If all patients attended an initial outpatient
review the total number of endoscopic tests would be
reduced; this may allow the provider to reduce the wait-
ing times for all investigations.
The major strength of this study was the inclusion of
consecutive referrals with no exclusion criteria. We ob-
served similar age and gender characteristics to the pre-
vious single centre studies identified [9,13,17]. The rate
of colorectal cancer diagnosis at 6% (11/186)was in line
with the rates previously reported (between 6% and 7%
[7-9]). A weakness of this study is the non-random allo-
cation of patients; we have attempted to account for the
potential differences between the groups by adjusting for
age, gender and whether the referral criteria were ful-
filled. Despite this there may have been other inherent
differences between the two groups which have not been
accounted for within the analysis.
5. Conclusion
Overall this study has highlighted that there may be a
limited benefit to patients in following a straight to test
(flexible sigmoidoscopy) pathway. In this study patients
underwent more investigations and were more likely to

F. MOSLEY ET AL. 447
have two modes of endoscopic evaluation with little
significant benefit in terms of the time to complete inves-
tigation. Despite the previously published work high-
lighting the potential cost and time benefits of such a
pathway, this may come at the sacrifice of exposing pa-
tients to additional and potentially unnecessary investiga-
tions. Straight to test (STT) may also represent a disad-
vantage to the provider, with an increased demand on
resources, particularly endoscopy services.
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