on May 31, 2012 |
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Topics: Oncology, Service Lines, Imaging, PET, CT
Brian Clement, Oncology Roundtable
Our Technology Insights program has projected that PET/CT utilization will grow 22% over the next five years and 55% over the next ten years. Technological advances, demographic trends, decreasing price points, and reimbursement changes are driving this projected growth.
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What's driving PET/CT growth?
on May 29, 2012 |
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Topics: Oncology, Service Lines, Appropriateness, Quality, Performance Improvement, Outcomes
Anne Taylor, Oncology Roundtable
Utilization of low-dose CT (LDCT) screening for lung cancer appears to have increased over the last year (a March 2012 Oncology Roundtable Quick Poll revealed that 32% of members offer LDCT screening for lung cancer, and most began doing so within the last nine months).
In August 2011, the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) revealed a 20% reduction in mortality between patients screened with LDCT compared to those screened with traditional chest X-ray (note that screening was not effective for detection of small-cell lung cancer).
A recent Milliman actuarial analysis published in the April issue of Health Affairs explored the effects of LDCT lung cancer screening on outcomes and cost. The authors concluded that offering LDCT screening as an insurance benefit would save lives at low cost compared to routine screenings for other cancers.
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Milliman study finds lung CT screening saves lives at relatively low cost
on May 23, 2012 |
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Topics: Oncology, Service Lines, Appropriateness, Quality, Performance Improvement
Manasi Kapoor, Oncology Roundtable
As one of nine specialty societies participating in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Choosing Wisely campaign, the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has submitted a "Top Five" list for ensuring high-quality, low-cost care for cancer patients.
Given the rising cost of health care—especially in cancer care—this campaign is a step in the right direction for delivering greater value. In early April, ASCO published five opportunities to tackle overuse in oncology by reducing the number of tests and treatments that are not based on clinical evidence.
The concept of the “Top Five” list was first put forward by Howard Brody, MD, PhD, director of the Institute for the Medical Humanities and a family medicine professor at the University of Texas. In a 2010 commentary piece in the New England Journal of Medicine, Brody challenged various clinical specialties to look within their respective areas of expertise to identify five procedures or tests that are commonly performed despite the lack of clinical evidence.
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ASCO recommends 'top five' opportunities for improving quality
