Cancer: faecal immunochemical testing

This indicator covers the percentage of urgent suspected colorectal cancer referrals accompanied by a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) result, with the result recorded in the 21 days leading up to the referral. It measures outcomes that reflect the quality of care or processes linked by evidence to improved outcomes.

Last reviewed: October 2023

Next review: October 2024

This indicator will be reviewed using the assessment criteria in appendix B of the NICE indicators process guide when it reaches its review date or the underlying guidance is updated.

This indicator was previously published as NM251.

How to use NICE indicators and how we develop them

Indicators can be used in a number of different settings to support high quality care. These include:

• identifying where improvements are needed
• setting priorities for quality improvement and support
• creating local performance dashboards
• benchmarking performance against national data
• supporting local quality improvement schemes
• showing progress that local health systems are making on outcomes.

Find out how to use indicators and how we develop them.