| Annual Report |
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| 2000-2001 | |
| Annual Report |
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| 2000-2001 | |
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Features: Academia and Industry Working Together for Biomedical Advances WSU Considered Model Program in Prenatal Genetic Analysis WSU Gets Early Access to Corning Technologies Dr. Joan Dunbar: Research Matchmaker Best Oncology Practices Standardized by Innovative Solutions Freezing the Deadly Spread of Cancer Combining Technology and Expertise to Discover New Genes in Epilepsy General Motors Supports Prevention Program Cell Therapy Center Advances Immunotherapies for Clinical Application |
Best Oncology Practices Standardized By Innovative Solutions
Frustrated by treatment variability and lack of outcomes reporting for cancer patients, two Wayne State radiation oncologists took matters into their own hands. Drs. Arthur Porter and James Fontanesi formed a company called Innovative Solutions in Healthcare Inc., which has developed an information database and software tools to provide best-practice cancer protocols to doctors, patients and insurers. “It’s the first attempt to get information from an academic setting out to practices,” said Dr. Fontanesi, president of medical affairs for Innovative Solutions. Many doctors and patients outside traditional academic centers are frustrated about the lack of information regarding treatment options. “Innovative Solutions can help all parties make more informed decisions,” Dr. Fontanesi said.
“We hoped that by identifying for physicians the non-quality-related activities that were being done and by teaching them how to eliminate those activities, we could also show there was a potential to reduce cost while improving the outcomes of care,” Dr. Fontanesi said. He and Dr. Porter did just that and plan to do more in the future. Recently, their company was awarded a $3 million contract with Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield to promote a similar program, and new business is continually being courted. Richard Fisher, chief executive officer for Innovative Solutions, said, “The most important lesson is that there is something that can be said about quality. And until recently, we could not define quality well to the payers of health care or to their intermediaries. We’re saying quality is the major issue and we’re providing the best quality care that is available and taking it into every clinic that wants it.” |
2000
Report to Investors: The Quest to Improve Women's Health Gifts from Faculty, Staff, Friends and Corporations 2000/2001 Alumni Annual Telefund Volunteers 2000 New Endowed Funds at the School of Medicine Bibliographies: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Center for Healthcare Effectiveness Research Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
The
company won major contracts from General Motors Corp. and Daimler-Chrysler
AG to conduct a pilot program to improve clinical outcomes and lower costs
for the five most common classes of cancer among their employees. After 15
months, they were able to show a 16 percent cost savings.