What is Cancer? Cancer begins when cells in a part of the body start to grow out of control. There are many kinds of cancer, but they all start because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.  Cancer prevention is a priority for patient care in the Baystate Medical Practices (BMP).  The BMP Performance Improvement Program aligns key health maintenance and clinical care indicators with Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) and Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP) measures.  Based on current performance, areas for improvement are identified.  Strategies based on best practices are developed and integrated into practice.

In the United States, a woman has a one-in-eight lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.  More than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually in the U.S.  In the Baystate Medical Practices, women over the age of 40 years are routinely screened by mammography.

Colorectal cancer screening is also tracked in the adult primary care practices.  Guidelines recommend one of the following: colonoscopy within previous 10 years, sigmoidoscopy within previous 5 years, or fecal occult blood test annually.

Highlights

The Baystate Medical Practices have developed strategies and implemented changes to improve processes in order to assure that patients receive appropriate preventive care screenings:

• Implemented processes and work flows to assure patients receive tests and care at appropriate times based on evidence-based guidelines.
• Use of evidence-based clinical decision-making and education to reduce morbidity and mortality.
• Leverage of information technology, such as health maintenance every visit and work lists for outreach.

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