Evanston, IL, Jan. 29, 2001 — A clinical research study released today reveals significant differences in the way U.S. hospitals manage breast cancer. Women at the nation's top-performing hospitals are more likely to undergo breast-conserving surgery (BCS) such as lumpectomy, compared to similar patients at other hospitals, according to the study from the Solucient Leadership Institute, formerly the HCIA-Sachs Institute. The National Institutes of Health recommended BCS for eligible patients over 10 years ago.

The study also finds that: 

• Compared to patients in the Northeast, women in the South are 21 percent less likely to receive BCS, and women in the West are 17 percent less likely. 
• Forty-six percent of Hispanic women undergo BCS, compared to 47.5 percent of African-American women, 48.5 percent of Asian Americans, and 51.1 percent of Whites. 
• Women insured by Medicaid are 69 percent less likely than privately insured patients to receive immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy. 
• Immediate reconstructive surgery following mastectomy is more common in top-performing hospitals and teaching hospitals compared to community hospitals. 
• When it comes to radiation therapy following BCS, patients are most likely to undergo this treatment in top-performing hospitals, as well as in hospitals in the Western region; moreover, younger patients are more likely than older patients to receive post-BCS radiation.

"The good news is that top-performing hospitals are clearly leading the industry in providing more progressive initial treatment and follow up of breast cancer," says Jean Chenoweth, executive director of the Solucient Leadership Institute.

"However, an additional area of concern identified in this study is that women on Medicaid are significantly less likely to have immediate reconstructive surgery than privately insured women," Chenoweth adds. "This underscores the fact that women with breast cancer may not be being offered the same options, and that some treatments may not reflect best practice and follow-up care."

According to the National Cancer Institute, one in 10 U.S. women who live to age 80 will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. More alarming, breast cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death among women between ages 35 and 54. However, when detected early and treated appropriately, breast cancer victims may expect a five-year survival rate of 95 percent. The two major surgical approaches to treating breast cancer are BCS and mastectomy.

The purpose of the study, "100 Top Hospitals' Clinical Research Program: Management of Breast Cancer," was to examine how top-performing 100 Top Hospitals compare with other hospitals in each of three outcomes: use of BCS, use of radiation therapy following BCS, and the performance of immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy.

Data from the following sources were compared in the study: the MedPar database, Solucient's proprietary all payer data base, the Health Care Financing Administration's Standard Analytical Files (SAF), and data from winners of the 100 Top Hospitals award, a strictly empirical evaluation of clinical and financial performance.

About Solucient: The result of a recent merger of HCIA-Sachs with HBSI, Solucient, headquartered in Evanston, Ill., powers health care decision-making. As the largest source of health care intelligence and benchmark information, Solucient provides health care organizations with access to comprehensive, results-oriented information to grow their business, contain costs and deliver quality care. Solucient delivers strategic clinical, operational, financial, planning and marketing information resulting in improved health care business and clinical outcomes. Solucient's robust information helps benchmark performance across the continuum of care.

The Solucient Leadership Institute is the research and education division of Solucient. The Institute is dedicated to the improvement of the health care industry through the promulgation of quality information. The Institute produces 100 Top Hospitals and Clinical Research Program studies, and publishes white papers — authoritative research reports, often clinical or financial — that explore the impact of legislation, new technologies, and clinical breakthrough on the health care industry.

The Clinical Research Program studies are dedicated to identifying the treatment patterns of 100 Top Hospitals award winners. The Institute produces clinical research studies, in conjunction with its Advisory Board, to improve clinical quality and delivery of care while providing education to the health care community.

Note: Study excerpts are available via the Internet at www:100TopHospitals.com. For media copies, please follow the media link on the Web site's home page or call 212-402-5455 ext. 106.

HEALTH-GRAPHICS from SOLUCIENT

Questions Breast Cancer Patients Should Ask Based on the study "100 Top Hospitals Clinical Research Program: Management of Breast Cancer"

• Do I have an encapsulated or slow-growing type of cancer? Or do I have a fast growing or highly invasive form of cancer?
• What are my treatment options and the likely outcomes?
• Am I a candidate for breast-conserving survey? Why or why not? 
• How does my unique clinical and personal picture modify those recommendations?  
• Is this physician and hospital capable of doing immediate reconstruction after surgery? 
• What are the pros and cons of breast conserving surgery or immediate reconstructive surgery?

Rates of Breast Conserving Surgery (by Region)*
Northeast 60.5% 
North Central 51.1% 
West 50.2% 
South 48.0%

Caption: Breast cancer patients have the best chance of immediate breast conserving surgery if they are treated in the Northeast United States compared to other regions, according to the recently released "100 Top Hospitals™ Clinical Research Study: Management of Breast Cancer," conducted by the Solucient Leadership Institute, formerly the HCIA-Sachs Institute.

Rates of Immediate Reconstructive Surgery Following Mastectomy (by Age Group*)
Age 18 - 39 29.7%
Age 40 - 59 24.4%
Age 60 - 64 9.8%
Age 65 - 69 5.3%
Age 70 - 74 2.2%
Over 75 0.6%

Caption: Among breast cancer patients of all ages undergoing inpatient mastectomy, younger patients were much more likely to undergo immediate reconstruction than older patients, according to the recently released "100 Top Hospitals Clinical Research Study: Management of Breast Cancer," conducted by the Solucient Leadership Institute, formerly the HCIA-Sachs Institute.

CONTACTS:

Solucient Leadership Institute Contact: 
Jean Chenoweth, Executive Director 
Phone: 734-669-7941 
jchenoweth@solucient.com 

Media Contact:  
Kerry Lydon-Minton
Solucient LLC
Phone: 847-475-7526 ext. 2112 
klydon@solucient.com 

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