Quality of Care in Urology and the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative

Abstract

IntroductionCollaboratives composed of surgeons or hospitals are an effective means to improve quality of care and value. Building on the success of the Collaborative Quality Initiatives program of BCBSM (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan) and Blue Care Network, MUSIC (Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative) seeks to improve the quality of care for patients with prostate cancer across Michigan. MethodsMUSIC was established in 2010. Support for data management and the coordinating center are provided by BCBSM. A private software vendor was selected to develop and support the web based data entry platform. ResultsMUSIC currently has 43 participating practices representing more than 200 urologists from diverse locations and practice types. Prospective data collection began in March 2011 and currently almost 9,000 cases of prostate biopsy or newly diagnosed prostate cancer have been entered in the registry. MUSIC priorities for quality improvement include fostering appropriate imaging for staging; making prostate biopsy more efficient and safe; improving outcomes after radical prostatectomy by tracking complications and patient reported outcomes, and providing collaborative learning in surgical technique; enhancing shared decision making between patients and providers; and evaluating the use of new oral antiandrogenic therapies. ConclusionsMUSIC provides a unique opportunity for quality improvement initiatives in urology. Acceptance by urologists in various practice settings has been robust and indicates a commitment by members to positively contribute to better urological care through a shared learning environment.