A Note from Hitinder Gurm
Hello and Happy New Year! I’m pleased to share with you this month’s BMC2 newsletter. You will read about how networking among sites led to better ascertainment and management of peak intra-procedure ACTs, reducing the risk of bleeding for patients. We have information on a new best practice protocol for vascular surgery and a new VBR goal on smoking cessation. You’ll also learn about a new BMC2 coordinating center team member. Read on for these stories and information on BMC2 publications, news, and more.
First, though, I’m pleased to share some information on how the collaborative has generated cost savings for our patients and payors across the State of Michigan. The collaborative met in Quarter 3 of 2019 to discuss emerging data on the relative benefit of prasugrel over ticagrelor. Thanks to your thoughtful discussion, there was an immediate impact on practice with resulting increase in prescription of prasugrel and decreasing prescription of ticagrelor which has provided an estimated annual cost savings of 7.4 million dollars. This work is yet another example of the importance of the collaborative and our impact on patients. THANKS, as always, for the work you do and your commitment to excellence in patient care.
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Site Spotlight - Networking for Change
In March of 2019, BMC2 PCI Data Coordinators Sue Vasquez, of McLaren Bay Region, and Mari Lee Crandell, of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor, were both headed to the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Knowing this, BMC2 Clinical Quality Improvement Lead, Kathleen Frazier, suggested they meet up while they were there. The pair met for breakfast one morning and Sue and Mari Lee continued contact. Continue reading.
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New VS Best Practice Protocol - Transfusion
This protocol is a transfusion protocol focused on stable patients (excludes patients with acute ongoing blood loss), after 24 hours post-surgery, with the suggested hemoglobin (Hgb < 7 for transfusion without any symptoms. Transfusion of PRBC for vascular surgical patients should be done thoughtfully, given risks, costs, and undetermined benefits outside of major hemorrhage or symptoms. View the complete BPP, along with its algorithm, on our website.
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New VBR Goal - Smoking Cessation
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BMC2 in the News
BMC2’s 25th anniversary was highlighted in a variety of media outlets recently. These articles targeted diverse audiences including hospitals and providers, BCBS customers, and the general public. Thanks again for your role in the success of BMC2 over the past 25 years. Here’s to the next 25!
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New Publication
“Hospital and Operator Variation in Cardiac Rehabilitation Referral and Participation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium” was recently published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. The authors evaluated the variation in cardiac rehab (CR) referral and use across PCI hospitals and operators among 54,217 patients who underwent PCI. They concluded that in-hospital CR referral and 90-day CR use after PCI varied significantly by hospital and operator. Read more on our website.
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National Meeting
Dr. Ryan Howard presented “Variability and Outcomes of Medical and Lifestyle Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease at the Time of Lower Extremity Bypass” during the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery 46th Annual Meeting on January 20th in Manalapan, FL. Dr. Howard’s co-authors are Jeremy Albright, Matthew Corriere, Nicholas Osborne, Eugene Laveroni, and Peter Henke.
This study was conducted to see how many patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) were on first-line therapies (medical therapies and lifestyle modification) at the time of surgery and whether being on these therapies affected outcomes after surgery. Read more on our website.
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BMC2 Meeting Summary
The PCI Coordinator Meeting was held on January 13th.
The Vascular Surgery Coordinator Meeting was held on January 19th.
Thanks to all who attended our January meetings. Did you miss a meeting or do you need a refresher? Read our summaries.
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Upcoming Meetings
The next Vascular Surgery Coordinator Meeting will be held on February 16th from 11 am – 12 pm
The next PCI Coordinator Meeting will be held on March 10th from 10 am – 11 am
The next Vascular Surgery Physician Meeting will be held on May 18th from 11:30 am – 9 pm at Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, MI
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Welcome New PCI Coordinators
Kyle Combs, BSN, BA, RN - Henry Ford Macomb
Chanel Putrus, RCIS - St. Mary Mercy Hospital Livonia
Carla Sumner, RN - Beaumont
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Welcome - Jeremy Albright
The newest member of the BMC2 Coordinating Center is Jeremy Albright. Jeremy joins Milan Seth as a BMC2 Statistician and focuses primarily on BMC2 VS. Jeremy Albright conducts statistical analyses for peer-reviewed research manuscripts, provides risk-adjusted estimates of hospital and physician performance, and builds machine learning models to predict clinical outcomes. Jeremy served as a contract statistician to BMC2 for four years before joining the team full time in November of 2021. Read the full article.
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Patient Engagement at BMC2
We are seeking additional patients that represent the diversity of our State to join the newly convened Patient Advisory Council. Can you recommend a patient to this group? There is no up-front commitment and patients will be compensated for their time. Learn more.
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We Want to Hear From You!
Do you have something to share via our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Email Elizabeth Walker at ehorn@umich.edu.
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Support for BMC2 is provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network as part of the BCBSM Value Partnerships program.
Although Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and BMC2 work collaboratively, the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of BCBSM or any of its employees.
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