Evaluating compliance (com) with hematology (H) -oncology (O) quality (Q) standards in a community-based managed care population

Abstract

17050 Background: Better Q and outcomes in HO practice are associated with com with national treatment guidelines (TG). Institution of an O specific electronic medical record (EMR) within a community HO specialty practice allowed analysis of com with TG as well use of high cost treatments (HCT) data from an HMO population in a multi site HO practice are presented. Methods: HO physicians agreed to treat patients (pts) using common EMR, TG and regular treatment (tx) reviews. EMR data over 18 months for the HMO population was reviewed for diagnosis, stage, and tx. This was compared to TG of NCCN. A panel of high cost therapies (HCT) was identified by the HMO medical director, and pt treatment com with TG was tabulated. Non-com was further evaluated as acceptable alternative practice (acc) by NCCN description, recommended (rec) by academic specialist consultation or not appropriate by TG (non-app). Results: Between 1/1/04 and 6/31/05, the HMO had ∼75,000 covered lives at risk. 1210 evaluable HO pts were treated by 5 oncologists. 163 pts had benign H diagnoses (dx), 155 had malignant H dx, and 892 had solid tumor dx (breast 373, colorectal 76, lung 63, prostate 28, ovary 15). Of pt with cancer (ca), 49 had active ca but no rx, 639 had ca in complete remission and had no tx, and 256 had active ca and received tx. 102 had clinical diagnosis but incomplete evaluations, none received tx. Of HMO chosen HCT, Rituximab was given to 25 pt, and all rx was com to TG. Bevacizumab was given to 14 pt and was com in 11, acc in 1, and non-com/acc in 2. Trastuzumab was given to 8 pt, and was com in 4, acc in 3, and rec in 1 pt. IVIG was com in 1 and rec in 1 pt. Of a total 49 HCT, 8 were non-com with TG (16%), but only 2 were non-com, non-acc, and non-rec (4%). Both were associated with 1 new physician whose performance improved after pre tx review of HCT by a senior physician prior to pt tx. Conclusions: Ongoing review and feedback to physicians using EMR and national TG allows objective monitoring and improvement of Q in HO practice. Issues of concern, such as HCT, can also be detailed. Payors and practices can consider using such methods and data to negotiate fair payment for Q care. . No significant financial relationships to disclose.