Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions, Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Louisiana Launch Quality Program For Cancer Treatment

BATON ROUGE, La. and DUBLIN, Ohio, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions have launched a joint program designed to improve cancer treatment using clinical pathways.

The clinical pathways program helps identify and promote best clinical practices in treatment methods for select types of cancer.

"Our goal with this joint program is to work with doctors to improve the consistency, quality and cost-effectiveness of cancer treatment," said David Carmouche, MD, Blue Cross senior vice president and chief medical officer.

Carmouche said that Blue Cross clinical staff will work with oncologists and hematologists throughout the state, combining collaborative dialogue and clinical research with the latest technology—all aimed at encouraging high-quality, evidence-based standards of care to ensure best patient outcomes.

Blue Cross and Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions will establish a committee composed of network oncologists in communities across Louisiana. The committee will identify evidence-based treatment regimens, or clinical pathways, for delivering patient care for breast, colon and lung cancers, among others.

As of the program's launch date, Blue Cross has secured 100 percent participation of community oncologists in the Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport markets. Blue Cross network oncologists and hematologists who successfully implement the pathways program may be eligible for rewards and will be noted in the health insurer's searchable online provider directory at www.bcbsla.com/FindCare/.

Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions is an independent company that provides technology, education and training to help doctors implement and monitor current and new treatment methods in order to achieve better outcomes. The tools track clinical results and cost savings, while adding little administrative work for the oncologists and hematologists who participate.

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