FRANKLIN, Tenn., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Use of technology that expands access to the most qualified radiologist will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, said MedSolutions, a leading provider of medical cost management services.
“With so many groups weighing in on this issue, it is important to keep in mind the primary goal, which is to find the most effective way to identify and treat breast cancer earlier,” said Curt Thorne, CEO of MedSolutions. “In addition to ensuring adequate screening, we can more swiftly and accurately detect cancer in women of all ages by leveraging technology to expand access to expertise that yields increased diagnostic accuracy. Such expanded access can also help to eliminate geographic and socio-economic barriers to care.”
MedSolutions speaks from experience. The company offers a diagnostic accuracy solution that uses advanced Clinical Logic(TM) and proprietary workflow technology to identify and route scans to a certified expert radiologist with experience in a particular specialty. Premerus(SM) Diagnostic Accuracy has shown that this approach significantly improves the error rate of misdiagnosis, thus curbing unnecessary treatments and reducing downstream costs. This use of certified expert radiology specialists differs from current practice where, frequently, generalists perform the initial reading and diagnosis. In simple terms, radiology specialists focus on specific anatomic or organ systems, following the established model of specialized medicine, where one would seek a cardiologist or neurologist for treatment related to the heart or brain, respectively.
Academic and peer-reviewed research shows that diagnostic experts have more accurate cancer detection rates and provide earlier identification. A mammography study published in Radiology found that radiology specialists have a 30 percent lower recall rate than general radiologists, meaning specialists need significantly fewer additional tests to confirm their screening mammography findings.(4) In addition, these specialists had a 75 percent greater cancer detection rate than that of general radiologists, as well as finding 75 percent more stage 0-1 cancers with screening mammograms. A follow up study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute confirmed this finding noting that it was the degree of specialization and the volume of experience that increased diagnostic accuracy rates. Physicians who interpreted 2,500 to 4,000 mammograms per year consistently had lower false positive rates.(5)
While there is ample evidence to support the merits of subspecialization in radiology, access to a qualified expert continues to be an obstacle for many women. According to the ACR, even radiologists who subspecialize spend only 40 to 60 percent of their time working in that specialty. Additionally, it has been estimated that only about 30 percent of mammograms are interpreted by breast imaging specialists.(6) Using logic and technology to connect patients with certified diagnostic experts not only expands access for patients but also allows radiology subspecialists to spend more time working within their area of expertise.
In an independent analysis, Premerus was shown to yield significant reductions in healthcare costs. A cost analysis validated by the actuarial firm Thomson Reuters indicated that Premerus could save healthcare payors $4.45 per member per month by reducing downstream costs associated with misdiagnosis. This translates to savings of approximately $16 million per year for an average-sized health plan.
About Premerus(SM) Diagnostic Accuracy
Premerus(SM), a product of MedSolutions, is the first coordinated solution designed to significantly improve diagnostic accuracy in the interpretation of diagnostic imaging studies by expanding access to the certified specialty expertise of some of the nation’s leading diagnostic physicians. Premerus(SM) uses advanced Clinical Logic(TM) and proprietary technology to match individual cases with diagnostic specialists, efficiently routing the clinical data and images to leading diagnosticians for expeditious review. Premerus(SM) quality is built around the patent-pending Certified Premerus Expert(TM) process, which certifies diagnostic physicians as experts within their area of anatomic or organ systems specialty in order to dramatically reduce diagnostic error and improve both the cost and quality of patient care. For more information visit www.medsolutions.com.
MedSolutions