Think Globally, Start Locally: Value-Based Breast Cancer Care for Newly Diagnosed Patients in A Safety-Net Medical Center

Abstract

Introduction We assessed the efficacy of a multidisciplinary, patient-focused approach emphasizing appropriate use of medical resources among a population of breast cancer patients at our safety-net hospital. Methods A multidisciplinary program coordinated and provided value-based care. Surgery, oncology, and navigation were physically co-located. Real time decisions were made by medical and surgical oncologists. Focused institution-specific protocols initiated in 2018, advised against four specific cancer resources that our team had determined as lower-value: imaging tests for indications not recommended in NCCN guidelines, inappropriate Oncotype Dx testing, radiation for patients ≥65 years with stage I hormone-positive disease, and administration of pertuzumab and neratinib as adjuvant therapy in HER2+ breast cancer patients. Time to treatment and rates of use of these resources were monitored. Results Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients from 2015-2019 were compared to the pre-protocol era (2015-2017). Time from first breast clinic visit to oncology appointment decreased 39 days (60% decrease, median of 63.0 vs 22.5 days, p<0.001), no patients ≥65 years with stage I hormone-positive breast cancer in 2018-2019 received radiation therapy, and rates of ordering of CT, PET, and bone scans for asymptomatic patients decreased by 80%. Overall survival did not differ by cohort protocol category/treatment choices (p=0.69) Compared to the pre-protocol cohort, the post-protocol cohort did not have a significantly lower risk of death (Hazard Ratio 0.66, 95% Confidence Interval 0.08-5.38, p=0.69). Overall breast cancer care cost decreased by $3,675,374 between 2018 and 2019 versus 2015 to 2017. Conclusions After initiating a breast cancer program focused on reducing rates of use of four commonly excessively ordered breast cancer resources our team identified as lower-value, care at our safety-net hospital achieved high compliance with NCCN maging guidelines and also reduced use of a low-value diagnostic test, and low-value radiation and chemotherapy.