The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and Health Tracker

Improving patient care with Health Tracker

Leading the way in value-based care

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) in Fort Worth, Texas was an early adopter in leveraging technology to improve cancer care for their patients and deliver high quality care more efficiently. In 2007, CCBD was already participating in value-based programs and, as a result, was able to optimize their triage workflow which was later recognized by the Advisory Board as a best practice for patient triage and symptom management in cancer care.

In June 2020, CCBD rolled out Health Tracker 2.0, Navigating Cancer’s electronic patient-reported outcomes program that prompts patients to report on how they’re feeling regularly. They are now able to more closely monitor symptoms and oral adherence which enables them to proactively intervene if needed, keeping patients on therapy and out of the hospital.

“We’ve been able to catch some serious issues that we might not have without Health Tracker. We’ve been able to contact the patient right away and get them the care they need.”

Leigh Ward, BSN, RN, OCN

Leveraging remote patient monitoring

CCBD has also continued to participate in value-based arrangements with various payers and remote monitoring is one more digital tool to help them reduce the cost of care while increasing value. They are leading the way in expanding services and resources so that patients receive the absolute best care possible.

This practice enrolls new patients on a regular basis and is pleased with the impact of the program so far. Leigh Ward, BSN, RN, OCN, is leading the program for CCBD and she recently told us Health Tracker is working like it’s supposed to – alerting them when a patient should be contacted. “We’ve been able to catch some serious issues that we might not have without Health Tracker,” Leigh told us. “We’ve been able to contact the patient right away and get them the care they need.”

Patients are agreeing that the Health Tracker program is useful and participation is easy. In a September 2020 survey, 82% of patients who have reported a side effect thought that it was “very easy” to do and 91% thought Health Tracker was a useful tool to get side effects addressed. One patient described checking in as “simple, easy, quick.” For patients, Health Tracker is giving them one more touch point with their care team. “It feels like I have a place to express and someone is reading it,” a patient commented.

CCBD continues to lead the way in incorporating technology into the care they provide to not only improve care, but actually build closer relationships with their patients. While there can be perceived barriers to adding an ePRO program, we’re seeing practices seamlessly incorporate Health Tracker into their existing workflow and ensure that patients receive proactive care – even when they’re not in the clinic.

Health Tracker is an electronic patient-reported outcomes program that enables cancer care providers to deliver remote care and improve patient safety.

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