The SCGA has partnered with the Center for Colon Cancer Research at the University of South Carolina, Gibbs Cancer Center, Hollings Cancer Center and the Medical University of South Carolina on the development of the South Carolina Colon Cancer Prevention Network. As a part of the Network, a Quality Review Team (QRT) has been formed.

The following individuals comprise the QRT:
Brenda Hoffman, MD - Chair, Quality Review Team, Medical University of South Carolina
Peter Cotton, MD - Medical University of South Carolina
James Dunn, MD - Dunn Surgical Clinic LLC, Spartanburg, SC
Gordon France, MD - Gastroenterology Associates, Spartanburg, SC
Patricia Hegedus, RN, OCN, MBA - Gibbs Cancer Center, Spartanburg, SC
Joseph Romagnuolo, MD - Medical University of South Carolina
March Seabrook, MD - Consultants in Gastroenterology, Columbia, SC

As chair of the Quality Review Team, Dr. Brenda Hoffman has developed a procedure note checklist which was disseminated to SCGA members at the SCGA Annual meeting and to members of the Network. This checklist is intended to ensure that all necessary quality measures are included in each procedure note.

The quality indicators on the checklist include: type of procedure, reason for procedure, bowel prep quality, cecum reached, total number of polyps/lesions identified, total number of specimens sent to pathology, polyp details, complications, and future follow-up interval. If you would like more information on the SC Colon Cancer Prevention Network or the Quality Review Team’s checklist, please contact Marylou Stinson at 803.351.5197 or mstinson@scgastroassn.com.  Click here for a preview of the checklist.

Seeing colon cancer as a disease that is largely preventable, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina developed a Colon Cancer Toolkit to encourage its members to get tested for colon cancer.

The toolkit includes an extensive selection of materials for employers and groups to use as best suits their specific needs. It includes ready-to-print posters, payroll stuffers, 5x8 information cards, postcards, table tents, and flyers. It also includes sample email blasts and newsletter articles. The toolkit strives to make it as easy as possible for employers to get valuable information about colon cancer to their employees.

BlueCross gave copies of the Colon Cancer Toolkit to more than 400 employers and group leaders at BlueCross’ annual group leader workshops in February. Interest in the program has been great, with more than 100 groups downloading the toolkit files from BlueCross’ employer portal.

In 2009, colon cancer leaders in Colorado, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina worked together to develop one of the first unified, multi-state colon cancer awareness campaigns.  The ultimate goal was to provide a variety of tools focused on messaging for rural communities to leverage public awareness efforts about this preventable disease.  The toolkit provides two market-tested campaign templates that can be customized to incorporate information about your practice, local events or activities.  For more information or to get a copy of the toolkit, please contact: Anjee Davis by phone 803.777.7325 or email anjeedavis@chem.sc.edu.