Promising Practices Supporting the Sustainability of Patient Navigation: An Implementation Guide

The ACS NNRT Implementation Guide was developed using the Patient Navigation Sustainability Assessment Tool (PNSAT) from the Colorado Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) led by Andrea Dwyer, MPH. It adapts tools from the Center for Public Health Systems Science (CPHSS) at Washington University in St. Louis.

Developed by the American Cancer Society National Navigation Roundtable (ACS NNRT)—in partnership with the ACS Leadership in Oncology Navigation LION and the ACS Patient Navigation Capacity Building Initiative—this guide provides practical strategies to sustain and institutionalize patient navigation

Purpose of the Guide

This guide helps organizations:

  • Assess sustainability capacity
  • Identify opportunities for program improvement
  • Develop actionable sustainability plans

Key Features

  • PNSAT Overview
    A tool to assess an organization’s sustainability capacity. Ideally completed by 3–5 team members for diverse insights.
  • Sustainability Planning
    Sustainability is an ongoing, non-linear process. The guide provides:
    • Key sustainability elements
    • Best practices for each PNSAT domain
    • Actionable steps for improvement
  • Application
    Includes real-world examples, discussion prompts, and templates to create a Sustainability Action Plan.
    The appendix features case studies of successful navigation program sustainability efforts.

How to Use the Guide

  1. Familiarize your team with the PNSAT and planning process.
  2. Complete the PNSAT to assess current sustainability capacity.
  3. Use best practices and action steps to build a sustainability plan.
  4. Refer to case studies and tools in the appendix to address identified gaps.
Access The Implementation Guide: Access Case Studies:

Case Studies:

  • Baylor College of Medicine-MD Anderson-Harris Health Cancer Patient Navigation Collaborative
  • Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Health, Children’s Health
  • Huntsman Cancer Institute 
  • Peak Vista Community Health Center, Colorado Cancer Screening Program
  • RUSH University Medical Center – RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • The University of Chicago Medical Center / University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • University of South Carolina Colorectal Cancer Prevention Network
  • Virginia Commonwealth University, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • University of Colorado Cancer Center  and UCHealth Oncology Navigator Programs 

Sponsorship for this initiative was led by Sanofi.