on January 17, 2013 |
Permalink
Topics: Quality, Performance Improvement, Breast Cancer, Tumor Site Strategy, Oncology, Service Lines, Evidence-Based Practice, Methodologies, Appropriateness
Regina Lohr, Oncology Roundtable
A recent Michigan Breast Oncology Quality Initiative (MiBOQI) study found frequent overuse of advanced diagnostic imaging (PET, CT, and radionuclide bone scans) among women with early stage breast cancer at low risk for spreading. The findings shed light on a prime opportunity for reducing imaging overutilization—and increasing value in cancer care.
Specifically, researchers found that from 1998 to 2009, more than 25% of such patients underwent these tests even though use of advanced diagnostic imaging in these cases was contrary to published guidelines.
Continue reading:
Big opportunity to dial back imaging for early breast cancer patients, study finds
on February 14, 2012 |
Permalink
Topics: Oncology, Service Lines, Medical Oncology, Evidence-Based Practice, Methodologies, Performance Improvement
Anne Taylor, Oncology Roundtable
The adoption of clinical pathways is in cancer care is gaining ground. The Oncology Times reported that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan collaborated with Oncology Physician Resource (OPR), a physician-owned practice management group, to implement clinical pathways in 2010 in a partnership with P4 Healthcare, LLC, a health management company and clinical pathway developer.
Today, 80% of Michigan’s community oncology practices, along with the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center and the Josephine Ford Cancer Center at the Henry Ford Health System, participate in the pathways program. Dr. Kurt Neumann, President of OPR, said that the success of the pathways program has been beyond what anyone expected and that he is certain that the pathways have resulted in decreased cost.
Continue reading:
Clinical pathway adoption gaining ground
Lindsay Conway on December 20, 2011 |
Permalink
Topics: Oncology, Service Lines, Medical Oncology, Colorectal-GI Cancer, Tumor Site Strategy, Evidence-Based Practice, Methodologies, Performance Improvement
As you know, the Roundtable has been tracking emergence of clinical pathways in medical oncology. (See this blog post for more information.) While adoption remains low, the evidence in support of pathways is growing.
Continue reading:
On-pathway treatment of colon cancer improves outcomes reduces costs
