WASHINGTON, D.C.– This week the National Cancer Institute and the Office of Medical Applications of Research of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a State-of-the-Science Conference to assess the available scientific research related to colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. The Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Advocacy Committee, which includes national and state ASC associations, as well as representatives of all types of ASC operators and physicians, applauds NIH for recognizing the integral role ASCs play in our country’s health system.
The three-day conference provided a forum for a necessary discussion on the importance of screening in detecting colorectal cancer. With approximately 50,000 annual deaths related to colorectal cancer, NIH seeks to ultimately provide healthcare professionals, patients, policymakers and the general public with a comprehensive assessment of how colorectal cancer screening and surveillance are most appropriately implemented, monitored and evaluated for average-risk populations nationwide.
Laura Seeff, MD of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented the CDC’s ongoing research into the medical community’s capacity for colorectal cancer screening citing ASCs role in providing this important service. In fact, more than 40 percent of Medicare colonoscopies are provided in ASCs.
There are approximately 5,200 ASCs nationwide, offering patients seeking these services easy access and convenience within their community. Each facility is staffed with a team of specialized medical professionals providing high-quality care. Patients report a 92 percent satisfaction rate in the healthcare services they receive in the ASC setting.
“On behalf of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee, I commend NIH for recognizing the high quality, safe and cost-effective colorectal cancer screening services offered by ASCs throughout the U.S.” said Arnold Levy, MD, a practicing gastroenterology physician and president and CEO of a 55 physician gastroenterology group in Washington, D.C., who attended and spoke at the conference.
ASCs are often the most cost effective solution for both patients and payers, including taxpayers, and offer an enormous savings to the entire healthcare system. Research shows that patients experience roughly a 59 percent co-pay savings on Medicare colonoscopy services, and overall, ASCs save Medicare approximately $2 billion annually.
As detailed in the recent Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, authored by researchers from the American Cancer Society (ACS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR), colorectal cancer death rates have been declining since 1984 in men and since 1975 in women, with a more marked decline in recent years. The significant decline in colorectal cancer deaths can be attributed in part to increases in colorectal cancer screening, which plays a pivotal role in early diagnosis and ultimately an overall reduction in disease mortality.
“ASCs are committed to achieving the 50 percent reduction in colorectal cancer death rates highlighted in the report and the ASC Advocacy Committee looks forward to working with key stakeholders to achieve this goal,” added Levy. “ASCs are proud to be part of the solution to improve patient access to colorectal screening services.”
About the Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee Ambulatory Surgery Centers are healthcare facilitates that specialize in providing important surgical and preventive services in an outpatient setting. With approximately 5,200 Medicare-certified facilities throughout the country, ASCs perform more than 22 million surgeries per year.The Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee is working on behalf of the industry to raise awareness of the important role that ASCs play in the healthcare system and the high-quality, cost-effective care that ASCs provide. The ASCAC includes the national and state ASC associations as well as representatives of all types of ASC operators and physicians. For more information about ASCs, visit www.ascassociation.org.
LINK: http://www.endonurse.com/articles/news_briefs/asc-nih-affirm-colorectal-cancer-screenings.html