Efficiency & Excellence in the New Economic Reality
Hospitals and Oncology Practices Look for Guidance to Meet Today’s Financial Challenges

ROCKVILLE, MD – Feb. 25, 2010 – Leaders from the nation’s hospital-based cancer programs and oncology practices will gather in Baltimore for the Association of Community Cancer Centers’ (ACCC) 36th Annual National Meeting. Join us as the nation’s oncology experts discuss forecasted trends and challenges, model programs, and the effects of healthcare reform on oncology care.

In this tumultuous year of ups and downs in healthcare reform, a number of sessions will also focus on new legislation and regulations as they may affect oncology. We’ll examine changes to health insurance, Medicare, and other payment structures and how they might realign reimbursement incentives.

The full agenda is available at www.accc-cancer.org. Here are meeting sessions that you won’t want to miss:

Comparative Effectiveness - Thursday, March 18, 10:40 am – 12:00 noon
Comparative effectiveness—which healthcare intervention works best for a given healthcare problem—is much in the news these days. What kinds of promise does it hold for improving patient care and supporting personalized medicine? How may comparative effectiveness research affect the way you practice cancer care? Join our panel and moderator Cliff Goodman, PhD, of The Lewin Group, for a discussion on how to best support high-quality evidence-based decisions for optimal patient care.

Treating Cancer in Foreign Healthcare: How Does the U.S. Stack Up? -
Thursday, March 18, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
An international panel of experts examines national healthcare systems in Europe and Canada—what they’re doing right in cancer care and what we in the United States can learn from them.

2010 Cancer Care Trends - Thursday, March 18, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Although we have no crystal ball, analysis of ACCC’s 2010 “Cancer Care Trends” survey of community cancer centers will provide insight into the present and future of oncology programs across the nation. You’ll learn about the state of capital budgets, purchases of new technologies, new alliances, and staffing. And we’ll provide ideas to help cancer programs chart their course in 2010 and beyond.

Building a New Cancer Center: Two Sessions

• Lean & Green - Thursday, March 18, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  Despite the recession, cancer center construction remains ongoing. Green, patient-centered cancer centers that bring all care to the patient is one trend in 2010. How can blood draws, nurse assessments, physician visits, IV therapy and appointment scheduling all be done in the privacy of the patient’s suite, so that patients can conserve energy for what is most important to them? Learn the answers and what programs are doing to meet LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
• A Summary of Evidence-Based Design - Friday, March 19, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
  Designing a patient-centered oncology facility and comfortable infusion treatment areas presents unique challenges. New findings demonstrate the importance of guest accommodations, privacy, daylight, contact with staff, and more.

The Impact of the Economy on Pharmacy Services - Friday, March 19, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
In light of recent payment changes and the downturn in the economy, hospital pharmacies are making changes to manage the department’s financials and provide leadership for their institution. Understand present and coming changes to the hospital pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS).

Cancer and Nutrition: Two Sessions

• Certified Specialists on Oncology Nutrition - Friday, March 19, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
  Learn about the new specialty board certification for registered dietitians working in oncology care settings. Oncology nutrition resources for enhancing patient care and tools for advancing the practice and knowledge of nutrition staff will also be presented.
• Screening for Malnutrition as Part of a Well Rounded Cancer Center - Friday, March 19, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
  How good a job are cancer centers doing in screening their cancer patients for malnutrition? Find out.

Healthcare Reform and Realignment of Incentives in Oncology - Saturday, March 20, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Proposed changes to health insurance, Medicare, and other payment structures will certainly have an impact on cancer care delivery. We’ll examine how new legislation will realign reimbursement incentives and create opportunities for community oncology programs and practices.

Burnout Among Oncologists and Surgeons - Friday, March 19, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm

Physician burnout occurs in 30 to 40 percent of oncologists and surgeons. Understand the symptoms of burnout, the importance of physician wellness, and the availability of resources to mitigate the adverse consequences of this syndrome.

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Since 1974, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has served as the leading national multidisciplinary organization that sets the standard for quality care for patients with cancer. ACCC is dedicated to promoting professional learning opportunities and to providing a forum for members to network and enhance their skills in the business, clinical and management aspects of care for the cancer community. Nearly 17,000 cancer care professionals from approximately 900 hospitals and more than 1,200 private practices are affiliated with ACCC. Our unique membership includes all members of the cancer care team: medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, cancer program administrators and medical directors, pharmacists, oncology nurses, oncology social workers, and cancer program data managers. For more information, visit ACCC's website at www.accc-cancer.org. Follow us on Facebook and on ACCCBuzz, ACCC's online blog, www.acccbuzz.wordpress.com.