HCA Healthcare’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute Implements New Outpatient Model for CAR T-cell Therapy
- Successful establishment of an integrated management process by Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare.
- More than 75% of CAR T-cell therapy patients transitioned into outpatient settings for monitoring.
- Over 1,200 hospital bed days saved for the first 100 patients compared to historical results.
- Approximately 20% of patients avoided hospitalization altogether.
- Utilization of new technology for at-home patient monitoring by trained outpatient clinical teams.
- Standardization of care across a network of cell therapy programs to improve patient outcomes.
- Collaboration with Best Buy Health to launch the initiative for remote patient monitoring tailored for CAR T-cell therapy patients.
- Presentation of research abstracts on the initiative at Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Tandem Meetings.
- Plans to expand the model of care to additional sites to further improve patient and caregiver experiences nationwide.
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The recent announcement by HCA Healthcare regarding the transition of CAR T-cell therapy patients to outpatient settings represents a significant operational advancement within the healthcare sector. The integration of an outpatient management process not only optimizes the utilization of hospital resources, by saving over 1,200 hospital bed days for the initial cohort of patients, but also reflects a broader trend in healthcare towards patient-centric and cost-effective care delivery models.
The adoption of remote patient monitoring platforms, such as the one provided by Best Buy Health, illustrates the growing intersection of healthcare and technology. This initiative could serve as a benchmark for other healthcare providers in terms of operational efficiency and patient satisfaction. The ability to avoid hospitalization for approximately 20% of patients not only enhances the patient experience but also reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections and other complications associated with inpatient stays.
The expansion of this model to additional sites is likely to have a positive impact on HCA Healthcare's operational efficiency and may contribute to an improved financial performance due to the reduced need for inpatient care resources. Furthermore, the standardization of care across multiple cell therapy programs is indicative of a systematic approach to treatment that could lead to better patient outcomes and more predictable cost structures for providers.
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, commonly known as CAR T-cell therapy, is at the forefront of personalized cancer treatments. The ability to reprogram a patient's own immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells is a remarkable medical innovation. However, the complexity of administering such therapies has traditionally necessitated prolonged hospital stays for close monitoring due to the potential for severe complications.
The transition to outpatient monitoring managed by HCA Healthcare's Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute is indicative of advancements in both the understanding of CAR T-cell therapy and the ability to manage its associated risks. The use of wearable devices for continuous vital sign monitoring and symptom tracking represents a leap forward in patient care. This approach not only reduces the psychological and financial burden on patients but also enables healthcare providers to collect a wealth of data that can be used to further refine treatment protocols and improve outcomes.
As the SCTCTN is one of the nation's largest providers of CAR T-cell therapies, the implications of this shift to outpatient care are substantial. It could signify a paradigm shift in the management of complex therapies, potentially setting new standards for care that other institutions may follow. The research abstracts presented at the Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Tandem Meetings will likely contribute valuable insights to the medical community and could influence future clinical practice.
HCA Healthcare's initiative to transition CAR T-cell therapy patients to outpatient settings has the potential to be a disruptive factor in the healthcare market. By reducing the need for inpatient services, HCA is not only improving the efficiency of its own operations but also setting a precedent that could lead to competitive pressures on other healthcare providers to adopt similar models. The healthcare market is increasingly driven by innovations that improve patient outcomes while reducing costs and HCA's program aligns with these market demands.
The collaboration with Best Buy Health and the use of their Current Health remote patient monitoring platform is a strategic move that could open up new revenue streams for technology companies in the healthcare space. As the demand for such technologies grows, we might see an increase in partnerships between healthcare providers and tech companies, potentially leading to a more integrated healthcare ecosystem.
From a market perspective, HCA's expansion plans for this care model could positively influence investor sentiment, as it demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and efficiency. The ability to provide high-quality care with reduced resource utilization could enhance HCA's competitive position in the market and might lead to improved financial metrics, such as cost savings and increased patient throughput, which are key factors considered by investors when evaluating healthcare stocks.
Piloted at four Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network (SCTCTN) sites and using new technology for at-home patient monitoring, trained outpatient clinical teams, including nurses, clinical pharmacists, advanced practice professionals, social workers and case managers, have created a model to help reduce the time patients spend in the hospital after treatment during the typical two-week monitoring period.
“Patients heal better outside the hospital if they can get these complicated therapies, which carry risk for significant complications, safely in the outpatient setting,” said Dr. Navneet Majhail, physician-in-chief of blood cancers, Sarah Cannon Transplant & Cellular Therapy Network. “We have leveraged technology and developed clinical pathways to care for patients receiving CAR T-cell therapies. Our clinical teams have accomplished this by standardizing care across a network of several cell therapy programs. In addition to patient benefits, their work has helped us better anticipate and meet the increasing demand for cell therapies as we continue to innovate our care delivery models to enhance timely access for these important treatments.”
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, also known as CAR T-cell therapy, is an immunotherapy designed to program a patient’s immune system to recognize and fight cancer. During the CAR T-cell treatment process, T-cells are drawn from a patient’s blood and genetically modified to recognize the patient’s cancer cells when reinfused. Because these oncology patients require intensive, specialized and time-sensitive care, they are closely monitored for any complications and have historically required inpatient hospitalization for up to two weeks post infusion.
In February 2023, SCTCTN, through a collaboration with Best Buy Health, launched the initiative to safely transition a substantial portion of CAR T-cell therapy monitoring into patients’ homes. Best Buy Health’s remote patient monitoring platform, Current Health, tailored for CAR T-cell therapy patients, collects continuous vital sign data and monitors symptoms through integrated wearable devices. A dedicated team triages, manages and escalates patients' needs to SCTCTN teams locally, including registered nurses, using the Current Health platform to provide 24/7 monitoring.
Colleagues from SCCI will be presenting three research abstracts on their experience with this initiative during this year’s Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Tandem Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR, February 21-24, in
HCA Healthcare is one of the nation’s largest health system research site networks with more than 43 million patient encounters annually. The SCTCTN is one of the nation’s largest providers of CAR T-cell therapies with more than 300 patients treated in 2023. Patients are treated across multiple cell therapy programs using standardized eligibility criteria, clinical pathways, and guidelines for supportive care and toxicity management.
About HCA Healthcare
About Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute
The Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute (SCCI) offers integrated cancer services with convenient access to leading therapies for those facing cancer in communities across
Sarah Cannon’s Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network is the largest provider of hematological cancer treatment in
All references to “Company,” “HCA” and “HCA Healthcare” as used throughout this document refer to HCA Healthcare, Inc. and its affiliates.
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Source: HCA Healthcare
FAQ
How many hospital bed days were saved for the first 100 patients compared to historical results?
What percentage of patients avoided hospitalization altogether?
What is CAR T-cell therapy?
What technology was used for at-home patient monitoring?
Where will research abstracts on the initiative be presented?
How many patients were treated with CAR T-cell therapies in 2023?
