A Note from Nicholas Osborne
I am pleased to present our March newsletter to you, writing for the first time as the new director of BMC2 Vascular Surgery. In this issue, we introduce you to Vascular Surgery’s new Strategic Advisory Council and Research and Publication Strategy Workgroup. We share which media outlets have recently highlighted the lessons our data teach and how your commitment to improving 1-year EVAR surveillance imaging has led to protecting patients from life-threatening aneurysm ruptures. You will also meet the new co-program director of the Michigan Structural Heart Consortium (MISHC), Dr. Raed M. Alnajjar.
In my role, I am excited to elevate engagement with stakeholders and give consortium participants an increased opportunity to determine meeting content, allowing a more active influence in guiding the future development of BMC2.
THANK YOU for the opportunity to partner with you to improve quality of care and outcomes for patients in Michigan.
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Success Story - EVAR Surveillance in Vascular SurgeryBMC2 aimed to improve patient outcomes after EVAR and reviewed data to conduct a study to analyze variations in the management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) based on diameter and determine the physicians' rationale for intervention on small AAAs in relation to recommended treatment guidelines. This resulted in the publication of the paper, “Variation in the Elective Management of Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Physician Practice Patterns” in the Journal of Vascular Surgery.
The topic was presented and discussed at consortium-wide meetings and BMC2 established the quality improvement incentive goal, “Documentation of 1-Year EVAR Surveillance imaging.” Upon implementation, sites in Michigan improved surveillance imaging documentation by over 65% — from 24.69% in 2017 to 65.4% in 2021.
A direct and significant impact on patient outcomes resulted from this review of BMC2 data and project implementation.
Read more about the details and findings of the study, and specifics on how the improvement goal impacted outcomes after EVAR, on our blog.
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BMC2 in the NewsBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan shared BMC2 projects and successes in the February and March issues of their Value Partnerships Update.
"Improving Cardiac Rehabilitation Statewide” featured the Michigan Cardiac Rehab Network (MiCR), a collaboration between BMC2 and the Michigan Value Collaborative (MVC). You can read the full article in the Value Partnerships Update.
We previously shared the MI Blues Perspectives blog post, “Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Data Helps Researchers Learn How Cannabis Use Affects Bypass Surgery Patients," which highlighted work from our Vascular Surgery registry. We are happy to report that the article was also shared by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan via the Value Partnershops Update. Click here to read the complete Value Partnerships Update article or read the BMC2 publication in Annals of Vascular Surgery.
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National Presentations
The co-authors of both of Dr. Kerkar’s posters are Devraj Sukul, Milan Seth, Michael A. Lauer, M. Chadi Alraies, Elizabeth Jane Pielsticker, Gerald C. Koenig, Mamas A. Mamas, and Hitinder S. Gurm.
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BMC2 Vascular Surgery Convenes New Workgroups to Increase Member EngagementIn late 2022 BMC2 Vascular Surgery surveyed members about ways to optimize participation in the consortium. Respondents expressed an interest in engaging more voices from member hospitals in registry decision-making and operations.
To that end, BMC2 VS recently convened a new Strategic Advisory Council. The council will bring together a Research and Publication Strategy Workgroup in May. Integrating these groups will strengthen the organization and benefit all consortium members. Including a diverse group of partners representing the varied interests and priorities across Michigan will allow the consortium to better serve its members and ensure we focus on high-impact, high-value initiatives.
Members of the inaugural Strategic Advisory Council will meet regularly to discuss high-level strategic directions and priorities for BMC2.
The Research and Publication Strategy Workgroup will work together to develop and produce high-priority and impactful research using BMC2 data.
Inaugural members include survey respondents who expressed desire to participate in BMC2 working groups and research. We look forward to involving others in future years. Thanks to the our group members for their willingness to share their time and expertise!
For more information about the types of work each group will perform, along wtih a list of the names of group members, visit our blog.
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MISHC NewsDr. Raed M. Alnajjar of Henry Ford Health has joined Drs. Stanley Chetcuti, P. Michael Grossman, and Himanshu Patel as a MISHC Co-Program Director. “He brings a wealth of experience in cardiac surgery, with a focus on surgical and percutaneous management of mitral valve disease,” said Dr. Grossman.
MISHC has grown to include both mitral valve procedures and TAVR procedures, making it an ideal time to expand leadership, particularly from a surgical perspective.
“MISHC’s mission of improving quality, safety, and patient outcomes motivates me,” said Dr. Alnajjar. “I look forward to being available to our structural heart sites as a resource.”
Read about Dr. Alnajjar's background, interests, and goals for MISHC's future, in this news article on mishc.org.
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MISHC Best Practice ProtocolsThe BMC2 PCI Best Practice Protocol Task Force will reconvene to create new protocols later this year. We look forward to this collaboration. The resulting tools will help promote consistent applications of best practices by teams across Michigan. In the meantime, we encourage you to review MISHC’s best practice protocols.
The Best Practice Protocol, “Antithrombotic Therapy Post-TAVR,” outlines risk factors and strategies for patients with and without concurrent indications for oral anticoagulants.
You will find MISHC and BMC2 best practice protocols under the “Quality Improvement” sections of mishc.org and bmc2.org.
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BMC2 Meeting SummariesThe BMC2 PCI Coordinator Meeting was held on Thursday, March 9th from 10 am –11 am. Coordinating Center staff provided presentations and updates.
Of special note:
- REDCap training began mid-March.
- The deadline for external physician review completion is April 10th, 2023.
- The BMC2 PCI Internal Review submission deadline is May 12th, 2023.
- The new user access/contact update form is now available under “Coordinator Resources” on bmc2.org.
- The PCI data deadline is April 18th.
- There will not be a coordinator meeting in April.
The BMC2 VS Coordinator Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 15th from 11 am – 12 pm. The Coordinating Center’s Rebecca Fleckenstein outlined the 2023 Peer Review and conducted a REDCap Q&A session. REDCap training is now live. Visit our website for more peer review resources. Mary Casey, BMC2 Project Manager, shared information about the updated user access form. You will find this form on our website.
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Upcoming MeetingsThe BMC2 PCI Annual Coordinator Meeting will be held on Friday, May 5th from 10 am – 3 pm at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor. The event will include a guided tour during the day. The agenda and registration will be available soon.
The BMC2 PCI Collaborative Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 6th from 10 am – 2:30 pm at the Kensington Hotel in Ann Arbor.
The BMC2 Vascular Surgery and MVS Physician Meeting will be held in person at Boyne Falls Resort on May 17th from 11:30 am – 5 pm. We also invite non-physician participants to attend.
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Welcome New Data AbstractorVascular Surgery
Carrie Fedorick, RHIT, Henry Ford Health
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Opportunities for ParticipationPatient Engagement at BMC2 - We are seeking additional patients that represent the diversity of our state to join our BMC2 PCI 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.
Visit our website to download a patient-facing poster to share more about the council and how to get involved. If you prefer, contact the coordinating center and we will print copies for you and mail them to you. You can learn more about patient responsibilities and what we are looking for in a patient advisor by visiting our blog.
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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 Horn 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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