mobile digital telemammography dr. joseph gitlin presentation at the cancer summit rapid city, south...
TRANSCRIPT
Mobile Digital Telemammography
Dr. Joseph GitlinPresentation at The Cancer Summit
Rapid City, South DakotaOctober 12th, 2004
Mobile Digital Telemammography
This is a demonstration and evaluation program to provide high quality mammography and other health services to women in underserved areas. It is based upon the premise that the value of early detection of breast cancer has been widely accepted by recognized authorities, and that
mammography is the most efficacious method of providing screening and diagnostic examinations.
Mobile Digital Telemammography
The concept is based upon the convergence of digital imaging, computer technology, and satellite telecommunications combined in a mobile setting to improve access to high quality care for women in underserved areas.
Mobile Digital Telemammography
With the support of the Komen foundation, Phase I was
completed in 2002. The objectives included testing the
feasibility of utilizing a mobile unit for:
• Digital mammography examinations
• Satellite transmission of images for interpretation
• Providing prompt results to the patients
Mobile Digital Telemammography
The design of the demonstration and evaluation
project was based upon the results of Phase I. In
addition to digital mammography, the services
available to participating women include:
• Breast examinations• PAP smears• Bone densitometry• Diabetes screening
Mobile Digital Telemammography
In addition to providing health services to women with limited access to high quality care, it is expected that the program will:
• Increase compliance with follow-up recommendations
• Mitigate the shortage of radiologists• Provide data on costs and benefits
Mobile Digital Telemammography
A community outreach program will be developed with the participation of local Service and Tribal units. This will be aimed at:
• Increasing participation by eligible women• Compliance with follow-up recommendations • Emphasizing patient privacy measures
Women’s Health Care Unit with Digital Mammography
Mobile Unit Functional Floor Plan
Mobile Digital Telemammography
NIH Guidelines
Evaluate the role of the MDT program and its telecommunication capabilities in improving women’s access to breast cancer screening:
• Education about self-examination• Clinical breast examination• Expert mammography interpretation• Immediate consultation with sub-
specialists
Mobile Digital Telemammography
Among the several evaluation measures of interest related to mammography and the other services in the health care delivery program are:
• Participation by eligible women • Compliance with follow-up recommendations• Analysis of abnormal findings• Short term outcome such as biopsy results• Costs and benefits
Mobile Digital Telemammography
The evaluation will be based upon selected data related to services provided on the mobile unit and comparable information from previous years. These data will be obtained from the Resource and Patient Medical System maintained for both Service and Tribal units. The data will be
processed under strict securitymeasures in accordance withHIPAA regulations to protectpatient privacy.
Mobile Digital Telemammography
It is expected that the mobile unit will be able
to provide mammography and other health services to 60 eligible women per week for a total of 2500 per year. The evaluation is planned for two years to support the collection of
sufficient data to determine the costs
and benefits of this innovative health
care delivery program.
Mobile Digital Telemammography
Tentative program schedule:
Acceptance testing of Mobile Unit 10/25/04 Dedication ceremony at Belcourt 10/27/04 Staff training, operational testing Nov. 2004 Begin health care delivery Dec. 2004 Begin evaluation Jan. 2004
“We are on the threshold of a very special and unprecedented undertaking-the opening of the National Museum of the American
Indian.” –W. Richard
West Jr.
Mobile Digital Telemammography
Comments, Questions, Letters of Support, or Copies of the presentation, please contact:
Dr. Joseph N. Gitlin Associate Professor of Radiology Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions 14208 Northwyn Drive Silver Spring, Maryland 20904 Email: [email protected]
•“Early detection through screening is our best
defense against morbidity and mortality from breast and cervical
cancers and precancers.”
• Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH, Director Centers for Disease Control and Prevention