FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Access, Quality, and Cost John V. Cox JOP Sep 2009: 217. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      SPECIAL SERIES
Cost of Cancer Care

ASCO Task Force on the Cost of Cancer Care • The United States leads the world in cancer care outcomes, but the cost is extremely high—and growing rapidly. New proposals for health reform emphasize one clear and immediate need: to control runaway cost. Lowell E. Schnipper JOP Sep 2009: 218–219. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Three Changes for Affordable Care: One Payer's Wish List • The oncology cost trend is approximately two times higher than that of medicine overall. Patients with cancer once had amnesty in the cost debate, but this is no longer the case. How do we cut cost and still provide quality care? Lee Newcomer JOP Sep 2009: 219–221. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Penny Wise, Dollar Foolish Approach to Antiemetic Use May Compromise Patient Care • A recent coverage determination by National Government Services threatens to compromise the ability of patients to achieve complete control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting by limiting oncologist discretion in prescribing antiemetics. Paul J. Hesketh JOP Sep 2009: 221–222. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      ORIGINAL RESEARCH

2009 National Practice Benchmark: Report on 2008 Data • Many oncology practices have responded to rising supply costs and decreasing reimbursements by examining their operational processes and working to reduce costs and enhance practice efficiency. Elaine L. Towle and Thomas R. Barr JOP Sep 2009: 223–227. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Audio Commentary]

Longitudinal Patterns of Chemotherapy Use in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer • Multiple agents and combination therapies available to patients with advanced colorectal cancer have significantly improved survival and provided an opportunity for individualization of care, allowing clinicians and patients to prioritize risks and benefits of comparable regimens. S. Yousuf Zafar, Jennifer E. Marcello, Jane L. Wheeler, Krista L. Rowe, Michael A. Morse, James E. Herndon, II, and Amy P. Abernethy JOP Sep 2009: 228–233. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Patterns of Care in Community-Based Oncology Practices for Anemia Associated With Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy • Use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in the treatment of myelosuppresive chemotherapy–induced anemia has been shown to increase hemoglobin levels and reduce the need for transfusions in patients with cancer. Arash Naeim, Lyssa Friedman, Kimberly B. Whitlock, David J. Pasta, Eric P. Elkin, Deborah P. Lubeck, Hema N. Viswanathan, and John Glaspy JOP Sep 2009: 236–243. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Safe Handling of Parenteral Cytotoxics: Recommendations for Ontario • In caring for patients with cancer, health care workers may be exposed to cytotoxic agents. Recommendations are needed to mitigate potential risks for cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes associated with exposure. Esther Green, Mary Johnston, Maureen Trudeau, Lisa Schwartz, Susan Poirier, Gail Macartney, and Deborah Milliken JOP Sep 2009: 245–249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Commentary

Commentary: Practice Patterns and Potential Impact on Quality Measures for a Practicing Physician Cathy Eng and Scott Kopetz JOP Sep 2009: 233–235. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Commentary: Do Guidelines Influence Physician Practice Behavior? The Experience With Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents Marcus Neubauer, Roy A. Beveridge, and Michael Kolodziej JOP Sep 2009: 243–244. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      CURRENT CLINICAL ISSUES

Can Physicians Refuse Treatment to Patients Who Smoke? • Irrespective of the "rightness" of smoking behavior, physicians have a duty to offer all patients appropriate anticancer therapy and supportive care and to help their patients become tobacco free. Timothy M. Pawlik, Ian N. Olver, Courtney D. Storm, and Maria Alma Rodriguez JOP Sep 2009: 250–251. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS
Practical Tips

Billing for Multiple Injections or Intravenous Pushes of the Same Drug JOP Sep 2009: 252. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      STRATEGIES FOR CAREER SUCCESS

Balancing Your Life at Work and Home • The first step in balancing your work and personal life is recognizing that it is not just going to happen—you have to be proactive and work at it, and the time to do so is now. JOP Sep 2009: 253–255. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      CLINICAL RESEARCH

Working With Your Institutional Review Board JOP Sep 2009: 256–258. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule and Its Impact on Cancer Research JOP Sep 2009: 259–260. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      THE VOICE OF ASCO
ASCO's Clinical Practice Committee

Which Cost Are We Talking About? Michael Neuss JOP Sep 2009: 261. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      IT HELP DESK

Policy Update: Federal Incentives for the Adoption of Electronic Health Records • The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides financial incentives for physicians and hospitals to adopt electronic health records. Practices can take initial steps outlined here to receive bonus payments and avoid penalties. Chantal Worzala JOP Sep 2009: 262–263. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      COMMENTARY

Patient Navigators: A Different Viewpoint Barbara McAneny JOP Sep 2009: 264. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Cancer Quality Alliance Proceedings: Caring Beyond Cancer Craig Earle JOP Sep 2009: 265–266. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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