quality reports : Clinical Quality : Medical Group Performance


Quality Insights: Clinical Quality in Primary Care

Adult Diagnostic and Preventive Care:
Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests (Ages 50 to 80)

Healthcare quality measure: This measure looks at adult patients (ages 50 to 80), who have had screening for colorectal cancer. This screening is done using one of four tests: colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, or double contrast barium enema.

One of these tests, the colonoscopy only needs to be done once every 10 years for healthy patients. Because people change health plans often, MHQP and the health plans cannot track all of a doctor's patients for the full 10 years. Given this fact, medical groups may be doing better at getting their patients to have colorectal screenings than the scores below suggest. A doctor's patient may have received a colorectal screening while in another health plan. This may not show up in our information.

Reasons for this measure: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women in the United States. The earlier this cancer is found the more successful the treatment can be. The good news is that screening tests can detect (find) colorectal cancer. Some of these tests also allow doctors to remove any polyps (growths which can turn into cancer). This helps prevent colorectal cancer.

You can reduce your risk of getting colorectal cancer by having the screening tests your doctor recommends, eating healthy foods, and being active each day.

Click on a column heading to put the results below in order.
Medical Group
Comparison
Rate
Rating
Benchmarks:
   Nat'l Average
   90th Percentile
   MA Rate		 National Average
National 90th Percentile
MA Rate
58.7%
69.6%
75.0%		  
Atrius Health, Inc., Harvard Vanguard Kenmore
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87.9%

 above three benchmarksabove three benchmarksabove three benchmarksabove three benchmarks

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MA Rate (75.0%)

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Explanation of the Star Ratings...

  • above three benchmarksabove three benchmarksabove three benchmarksabove three benchmarks Four stars means the rate is above three benchmarks
  • above two benchmarksabove two benchmarksabove two benchmarksabove two benchmarks Three stars means the rate is above two benchmarks
  • above one benchmarkabove one benchmarkabove one benchmarkabove one benchmark Two stars means the rate is above one benchmark
  • not above benchmarksnot above benchmarksnot above benchmarksnot above benchmarks One star means the rate is not above benchmarks
  • no data available MHQP has too little data to report on this measure. This can happen when the patients or illnesses a medical group cares for are not part of this report.

The three benchmarks used for comparison are:

  • The MHQP Massachusetts Statewide Rate
  • The National 90th Percentile
  • The National Average

Click here to view the MHQP Massachusetts Statewide Rates
and National benchmarks.

For more information on benchmarks, please see Questions & Answers.

Ways your doctor can help...

  • Let you know how often you need to have a colorectal cancer screening test and discuss the risks and benefits of the different types of tests.
  • Talk with you about your risk of getting colorectal cancer. Risks include age, health, family history, and lifestyle choices (what you eat, how active you are, and if you smoke).
  • Discuss ways you can reduce the risk of getting colorectal cancer. These include your diet (foods you eat) and activity level (how much exercise you get).

Ways you can help...

  • Talk with your doctor about your risk of getting colorectal cancer.
  • Be active each day. This might include taking walks, going to a gym, or doing other types of exercise.
  • Eat a healthy diet with at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
  • Have the colorectal screening test your doctor recommends.

Ways to learn more...

 

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