Women’s Health Educational Webinars

In early 2010 AAPPO hosted a series of webinars addressing important aspects of the quality equation surrounding minimally invasive procedures.  These webinars were recorded and are available below: 

Session I: The Cost/Quality Equation for Minimally Invasive Procedures

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Approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States.  Over the past decade, evidence has accumulated that minimally invasive procedures can reduce surgical pain and complications, hasten women’s return to normal activities, and reduce costs.  Yet the majority of women undergoing hysterectomy still have the open abdominal procedure associated with six weeks of recovery time.  This inefficient use of services results in lower quality of care for patients and higher costs for payers – both of which are important to PPOs.   This webinar features two of the nation’s leading expert on cost and quality issues related to minimally invasive hysterectomy procedures.

• Lori Warren, MD – author of published clinical article:  Open Abdominal vs. Laparoscopic & Vaginal Hysterectomy:  Analysis of a Large US Payer Measuring Quality & Cost of Care
• Louis I Hochheiser MD,  Corporate Medical Director Clinical Policy (Interim)- Humana Inc and author,  The Effects of Laparoscopic Surgery and Nosocomial Infections on the Cost of Care: Evidence from Three Common Surgical Procedures

Session II: Building/Marketing Efficient Networks for Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures

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Minimally invasive surgery is the preferred choice for numerous surgical procedures in both general surgery and procedures unique to women.  Minimally invasive breast biopsy is the recommended approach to diagnosing a breast abnormality before surgical intervention.  Minimally invasive procedures (MIP) generally result in less pain for the patient, shorter or no hospital of stay, lower rates of infection, and often, lower costs to payers.  One way PPOs can promote this more efficient, cost-effective approach is by contracting with qualified providers who provide this service and informing patients.  But how does a PPO know which providers are qualified?  In this session three experts discussed provider qualifications and approaches under development by physician specialty societies to develop certifications that indicate quality.

• Dr. Gerald Scallion, Medical Director at Aetna
• Steven D. Schwaitzberg, MD FACS, Chief of Surgery, Cambridge Health Alliance on the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery training program of SAGES
• Frank Loffer, MD Medical Director of the AAGL, formerly the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy on certification of providers and facilities

Session III: Making the Switch - Strategies for Moving to More Efficient Surgical Procedures

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Minimally invasive surgery is the preferred choice for a number of surgical procedures in both general surgery and procedures for women.  For example, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends minimally invasive hysterectomy as the preferred route for virtually all cases.  Yet almost two-thirds of hysterectomies are still preformed with open surgical procedures, resulting in longer hospital length of stay and greater recovery time for patients.  Minimally invasive procedures (MIP) have been shown to result in less pain for the patient, shorter length of hospital stay, and often, lower costs to payers.  One way to increase uptake of this more efficient, cost-effective approach is by helping members and consumers understand their options and how their choice will impact their health, quality of life, and pocketbook.

• Mary Catherine Persons, President, HealthScope Benefits Inc
• Cyndy Nayer, President and CEO, Center for Health Value Innovation