Early experience with Puerto Rico: Effective use management of bone agents.

Abstract

130 Background: Oncology Analytics is a cancer care decision support group recently entering the Puerto Rican cancer care marketplace. Bone agents are used in metastatic cancer management to delay the progression of lytic bone metastases. These agents are also used for the treatment of demonstrated osteoporosis with bone densitometry (DEXA scan). Oncology Analytics has found these agents are sometimes used in the absence of lytic metastases or osteoporosis. When this is discussed with treating physicians, practice patterns promptly improve. Beginning our work: The following work focuses entirely upon use among patients with bone mets. There is modest use of bone agents for bone mets among PR oncologists. A statistically significant decreasing and sustained trend in the inappropriate utilization of bone agents and especially the use of denosumab in the PR market is closely associated with recent initiation of OA decision support. Methods: We analyzed data from oncology drug preauthorization requests for bone modifying agents for the management of metastatic bone disease submitted by providers to payers serving in Puerto Rico from Jan 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015. Results: Within the 9 months, non-compliant zoledronic acid use diminished by one-third; pamidronate by 40%; and denosumab use was decreased by 75%. Quarterly dynamics demonstrates a statistically significant downward trend in the unnecessary use of these agents among PR oncologists (p,0.05). Conclusions: Oncology Analytics presence in a new market enhances cancer care quality and cancer care value quickly, while at the same time conserving substantial resources.