Crystal Run Healthcare Oncologist, Manuel C. Perry, MD, Presents Research at American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Annual Meeting

Manuel C. Perry, MD, Hematologist & Oncologist, and Division Lead  for Oncology, Dermatology and Pathology at Crystal Run Healthcare presented the results of a quality improvement program designed and implemented at Crystal Run at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s  (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. It is known that Medicare beneficiaries receiving cancer treatment in association with other complicating medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, emphysema and diabetes, etc. contributed to increased complications, hospital admissions and the total cost of care. To combat this phenomenon, Dr. Perry and his team at Crystal Run Healthcare implemented a system where nurse practitioners proactively contacted patients before symptoms related to these conditions became more severe. The program reduced hospitalizations by 12%, medical costs by nearly 10%, while patient satisfaction scores were in the 90^th percentile. ASCO’s Annual Meeting is designed for oncology professionals to share their latest developments in cancer research, education and practice improvement to help other organizations improve cancer care.

“Building relationships, developing trust, and facilitating access were the central components of the program and were responsible for our success. We are continuing to refine the program so that we can better identify those patients who have the greatest need for the enhanced service,” said Manuel C. Perry, MD, Division Leader for Oncology and Hematology at Crystal Run Healthcare.