Not-for-profit organization Preventing Colorectal Cancer (PCC) announces that Manhattan’s Physician Group, Staten Island Physician Practice P.C., and the Queens Long Island Medical Group will receive the prestigious 2012 PCC Champion Award of Colon Cancer Prevention.
The annual award was launched in 2011 to recognize individuals, groups and companies that provide either exceptionally high standards of care or who most effectively advocate for the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer.
“On behalf of PCC, we are extremely pleased to honor these organizations that are such an asset to the preventing colorectal cancer community,” says Dr. Steven J. Morris, MD FACP, PCC board chair and president, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates. “Their continuous efforts to educate communities that are traditionally underserved in terms of colon cancer screening make them worthy recipients of the Champion Award.”
About the 2012 PCC Champion Award recipients:
Manhattan’s Physician Group (MPG): MPG’s medical offices serve a diverse community with approximately 25% of its population comprised of African American members and 20% Americans of Latin decent. In 2010, MPG’s Colon Cancer Screening program resulted in 68.89% of Medicare members getting screened. While 2011 figures are not yet finalized, the screening level is expected to increase to 71%.
It has been well established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that individuals from these ethnic backgrounds experience disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, which place them at a higher risk of colon cancer morbidity and mortality. MPG achieved the 90th percentile nationally through an aggressive program comprised of educational materials for patients, follow-up reminder phone calls and fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) kits to members who have not received screenings.
Staten Island Physician Practice (SIPP): SIPP, one of the largest medical groups on Staten Island, which has some of the highest medical condition severity rates in the country and making regular CRC screenings vital. With the goal of becoming a center of excellence for colon cancer screening within a community of great need, SIPP communicates weekly with members to promote information regarding preventative screenings.
In 2010, SIPP’s screening program ensures that 7,700 adults completed CRC screenings consistent with best practice guidelines. In 2010, 70.01% of Medicare members got screened, and 2011 results are expected to reach 71%. The group has consistently demonstrated high CRC screening rates over the last several years by implementing a series of interventions aimed at educating providers and staff, and by proactively identifying members in need of screening and providing outreach assistance to complete screenings.
Queens Long Island Medical Group (QLIMG): QLIMG services a diverse community with approximately 36 percent of its populations comprised of African American members and 13 percent Americans of Latin decent. CRC is the second leading cause of death in these populations. QLIMG has achieved a screening rate of 71% of its members for three years in a row, placing it in the 90th percentile and the Medicare Stars five-star range, both of which are the highest levels that can be achieved.
This group consistently works to achieve results consistent with the highest national benchmarks and has been able to improve its colon cancer screening rates each year over the last four years by implementing a series of interventions aimed at educating providers and staff, and by working to educate the community.
All three winning organizations use the National Committee on Quality Accreditation benchmarks and measure specifications for colon cancer screening to monitor their performance.
“The selection committee felt these three facilities have gone above and beyond to promote colorectal cancer screenings,” says Stanford R. Plavin, MD, vice chair of PCC and president and managing partner, Ambulatory Anesthesia of Atlanta. “Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in minority populations, and this year’s winners have achieved results consistent with the highest national benchmarks while serving a very large community that traditionally experiences disparities in colon cancer screening.”
About Preventing Colorectal Cancer (www.preventingcolorectalcancer.org) – Headquartered in Annapolis, MD, Preventing Colorectal Cancer (PCC) preserves the tradition of safe, comfortable and quality-based medicine. PCC is a not-for-profit 501(c) 6 advocacy organization with the primary mission to educate both public and private stakeholders about the opportunities to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer through promoting effective screening, prevention and care options for patients. Membership is open to all individuals and groups.