|
MEETING
OF THE HEALTH AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
OCTOBER
6, 2000
HEALTH AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Friday,
October 6, 2000
9:30
— 10:45 a.m.
Board
Room, The Rotunda
Committee
Members:
Charles M. Caravati, Jr., M.D., Chair
H. Christopher Alexander, III, M.D. Terence P. Ross
Thomas J. Bliley, Jr. Elizabeth A. Twohy
William G. Crutchfield, Jr. Harry J.G. van Beek
William H. Goodwin, Jr. John P. Ackerly, III, Ex Officio
AGENDA
- CONSENT
AGENDA (Dr. Cantrell)
Conflict
of Interest Exemption (GeNeuron Therapeutics,
Inc.)
Conflict
of Interest Exemption
(Respiratory
Research, Inc.)
Conflict
of Interest Exemption (Apache Medical Systems)
- REPORTS
BY THE VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST
FOR
THE HEALTH SYSTEM (Dr. Cantrell)
A.
Medical Center Financial Report
(as
of August 31, 2000) (Mr. Sandridge
to
introduce Mr. Larry Fitzgerald;
Mr.
Fitzgerald to report)
- Performance
Improvement Project
(Mr.
Sandridge to introduce Mr. William
Carter;
Mr. Carter to report)
C.
Clinical Issues - Lungs for Life Screening
Program
(Dr. Cantrell to introduce Thomas
M.
Daniel, M.D.; Dr. Daniel to report)
D.
Remarks by the Vice President and Provost 18
for
the Health System (Dr. Cantrell)
III.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
- Discussion
of performance and appointment of specific public officers, appointees
and employees of the University of Virginia Medical Center, and
evaluation of performance of departments where such evaluation
will necessarily involve discussion of the performance of specific
individuals. Discussion and consideration of negotiations regarding
provider services contracts for clinical services to be performed
by the Medical Center, and discussion and consideration of negotiations
regarding amendment and implementation of a computer services
contract for the Medical Center, and of proprietary computer systems
information concerning the implementation of the Medical Center’s
Clinical Information System, where disclosure would adversely
affect the competitive position of the Medical Center. Consultation
with legal counsel concerning federal regulations governing clinic
billing practices. These items are provided for in Section 2.1-344(A)(1),
(7), (8) and (23) of the Code of Virginia.
BOARD
OF VISITORS CONSENT AGENDA
I.A.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXEMPTION: Approval of personal interests
in a sponsored research contract with GeNeuron Therapeutics, Inc.
The
School of Medicine is negotiating sponsored research contracts and
a material transfer agreement with GeNeuron Therapeutics, Inc.,
a Virginia biotechnology company created in 1997 for the development
and commercialization of biologically enhanced devices for treatment
of neurovascular disease. Technology developed at the University
of Virginia has been licensed to GeNeuron by the University of Virginia
Patent Foundation.
Three
University faculty members, Gerald R. Hankins, Ph.D., Gregory A.
Helm, M.D., and David F. Kallmes, M.D., own in excess of three percent
of the equity in the company. Under the Virginia Conflict of Interests
Act, the University’s contracting with GeNeuron Therapeutics,
Inc. would place Mr. Hankins, Dr. Helm and Dr. Kallmes in violation
of the Act, unless the Board of Visitors approves the conflict created
by their equity interest. State law grants such approval authority
to the Board in the case of sponsored research, in order to allow
research furthering the public interest.
Virginia
law and University of Virginia policy will require Mr. Hankins,
Dr. Helm and Dr. Kallmes to file annual disclosure statements of
their economic interests in the company. Mr. Hankins, Dr. Helm and
Dr. Kallmes will not be involved in the University’s negotiation,
approval, or procurement of contract terms with GeNeuron Therapeutics,
Inc. The Associate Dean for Research, School of Medicine, heads
a University oversight team responsible for managing and overseeing
the research, including independently supervising, evaluating, and
making personnel decisions to ensure that the continuing best interests
of the University are served. As an additional precaution, the Associate
Dean for Research will report at least each quarter to the Dean
of the School of Medicine on the progress of sponsored research
activity and the utilization of University resources.
ACTION
REQUIRED: Approval by the Health Affairs Committee and by the
Board of Visitors.
CONFLICT
OF INTEREST EXEMPTION
WHEREAS,
the School of Medicine wishes to enter into sponsored research contracts
with GeNeuron, Inc., for developing biologically enhanced devices
for treatment of neurovascular disease; and
WHEREAS,
Gerald R. Hankins, Ph.D., Gregory A. Helm, M.D., David F. Kallmes,
M.D., have disclosed in advance their equity interests of 23.3,
24.2, 23.8, percent, respectively, in GeNeuron Therapeutics, Inc.,
and
WHEREAS,
the University’s entry into research agreements with GeNeuron
Therapeutics, Inc., would thereby expose Mr. Hankins, Dr. Helm and
Dr. Kallmes to violation of the Virginia Conflicts of Interest Act
unless approved by the Board as permitted by §2.1-639.6(c)
(7) of the Code of Virginia;
RESOLVED
that the conflict of interest of Gerald R. Hankins, Ph.D., Gregory
A. Helm, M.D., and David F. Kallmes, M.D., is approved by the Board
of Visitors in order to permit the University to enter into agreements
with GeNeuron, Inc., for research funding for the development of
biologically enhanced devices for treatment of neurovascular disease;
provided, as required by the law, Mr. Hankins, Dr. Helm, and Dr.
Kallmes file the required annual disclosure statement of personal
interests in GeNeuron Therapeutics, Inc., the University files the
required annual report concerning the contracts with the Secretary
of the Commonwealth, and the Associate Dean for Research vigilantly
oversees application of University resources in the best interests
of the University and in accordance with policy.
UNIVERSITY
OF VIRGINIA
FISCAL
IMPACT STATEMENT
PROJECT/PROPOSED
BOARD OF VISITORS ACTION: Approval of personal interests in
sponsored research contracts with GeNeuron Therapeutics, Inc.
DESCRIPTION:
The School of Medicine is negotiating sponsored research contracts
with GeNeuron Therapeutics, Inc., a Virginia biotechnology start-up
company created in 1997. The founding members of GeNeuron Therapeutics,
Inc. include five University of Virginia faculty members.
Three
faculty own a total of 71.3 percent in the company. Under the Virginia
Conflict of Interests Act, the University may enter into research
contracts with GeNeuron Therapeutics, Inc. without placing these
faculty members in violation of the Act, if the Board of Visitors
approves the conflict created by their ownership in excess of three
percent.
The
research contracts would help fund research into the development
of biologically enhanced devices for treatment of neurovascular
disease, which has great potential for patient treatment.
FISCAL
IMPACT: Fiscal impact is negligible. Major breakthroughs could
result in significant revenue gain for the University.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended that the Board of Visitors approve the personal
interests in contracts with GeNeuron, Inc., for developing biologically
enhanced devices for treatment of neurovascular disease.
RECOMMEND
APPROVAL OF BOARD ACTION:
Leonard
W. Sandridge
October
6, 2000
BOARD
OF VISITORS CONSENT AGENDA
I.B.
Conflict of Interest Exemption: Approval of personal interests
in a sponsored research contract with Respiratory Research, Inc.
The
School of Medicine is negotiating a contract with Respiratory Research,
Inc., a Virginia biotechnology company created in 2000 to develop
technologies to assist in the assessment and management of asthma
and other lung diseases. Technology developed at the University
of Virginia has been licensed to Respiratory Research, Inc., by
the University of Virginia Patent Foundation.
Two University faculty members, Benjamin M Gaston, M.D., and John
F. Hunt, M.D., own in excess of three percent of the equity in the
company. Under the Virginia Conflict of Interests Act, the University’s
contracting with Respiratory Research, Inc. would place its faculty
who own in excess of three percent in violation of the Act, unless
the Board of Visitors approves the conflict created by their equity
interest. State law grants such approval authority to the Board
in the case of sponsored research, in order to allow research furthering
the public interest.
Virginia
law and University of Virginia policy will require Drs. Gaston and
Hunt to file annual disclosure statements of their economic interests
in the company. Drs. Gaston and Hunt will not be involved in the
University’s negotiation, approval, or procurement of contract
terms with Respiratory Research, Inc. The chair of the Department
of Pediatrics heads a University oversight team responsible for
managing and overseeing the research, including independently supervising,
evaluating, and making personnel decisions to ensure that the continuing
best interests of the University are served. As an additional precaution,
the chair will report at least each quarter to the Dean of the School
of Medicine on the progress of sponsored research activity and the
utilization of University resources.
ACTION
REQUIRED: Approval by the Health Affairs Committee and by the
Board of Visitors.
CONFLICT
OF INTEREST EXEMPTION
WHEREAS,
the School of Medicine wishes to enter into a contract with Respiratory
Research, Inc., to purchase a device to assist researchers in the
development of technology and medications for the treatment of asthma
and tuberculosis; and
WHEREAS,
Benjamin Gaston, M.D., and John Hunt, M.D., have disclosed in advance
their equity interests of 9.4 and 43.4 percent, respectively, in
Respiratory Research, Inc.; and
WHEREAS,
the University’s entry into a contract with Respiratory Research,
Inc. would thereby expose Drs. Gaston and Hunt to violation of the
Virginia Conflicts of Interest Act unless approved by the Board
as permitted by §2.1-639.6(c) (7) of the Code of Virginia;
RESOLVED
that the conflict of interest of Benjamin Gaston, M.D., and John
Hunt, M.D., is approved by the Board of Visitors in order to permit
the University to enter an agreement with Respiratory Research,
Inc., to purchase a device to be used for the development of technology
for the treatment of asthma; provided, as required by the Virginia
Conflict of Interests Act, the faculty file the required annual
disclosure statement of personal interests in Respiratory Research,
Inc., the University files the required annual report concerning
the contact with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and the relevant
department chair vigilantly oversees application of University resources
in the best interests of the University and in accordance with policy.
UNIVERSITY
OF VIRGINIA
FISCAL
IMPACT STATEMENT
PROJECT/PROPOSED
BOARD OF VISITORS ACTION: Approval of personal interests in
a contract with Respiratory Research, Inc.
DESCRIPTION:
The School of Medicine is negotiating a contract with Respiratory
Research, Inc., a Virginia biotechnology start-up company created
in 2000. The founding members of Respiratory Research, Inc. include
two University of Virginia faculty members.
Two
faculty members own in excess of three percent of the equity in
the company. Under the Virginia Conflict of Interests Act, the University
may enter into a contract with Respiratory Research, Inc., without
placing the faculty members in violation of the Act, if the Board
of Visitors approves the conflict created by their ownership in
excess of three percent.
The
contract would allow the University of Virginia to procure a device
to assist researchers in the development of technology for treatment
of asthma.
FISCAL
IMPACT: Fiscal impact is negligible. Major breakthroughs could
result in significant revenue gain for the University.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended that the Board of Visitors approve the personal
interests in the proposed contract with Respiratory Research, Inc.,
for a procurement of a device to assist researchers in developing
technology for the treatment of asthma.
RECOMMEND
APPROVAL OF BOARD ACTION:
Leonard
W. Sandridge
October
6, 2000
BOARD
OF VISITORS CONSENT AGENDA
I.C.
Conflict of Interest Exemption: Approval of a personal interest
in a sponsored research contract with Apache Medical Systems, Inc.
The School of Medicine is negotiating a sponsored research contract
with Apache Medical Systems, Inc., a Virginia company created in
1987 to provide clinically based decision support information systems,
research and consulting services to the healthcare industry.
One University faculty member, William A. Knaus, M.D., owns in excess
of three percent of the equity in the company. Under the Virginia
Conflict of Interests Act, the University’s contracting with
Apache Medical Systems, Inc. would place Dr. Knaus in violation
of the Act, unless the Board of Visitors approves the conflict created
by his equity interest. State law grants such approval authority
to the Board in the case of sponsored research in order to allow
research furthering the public interest.
Virginia law and University of Virginia policy will require Dr.
Knaus to file annual disclosure statements of his economic interests
in the company. Dr. Knaus will not be involved in the University’s
negotiation, approval, or procurement of contract terms with Apache
Medical Systems, Inc. The Associate Dean for Research, School of
Medicine, heads a University oversight team responsible for managing
and overseeing the research, including independently supervising,
evaluating, and making personnel decisions to ensure that the continuing
best interests of the University are served. As an additional precaution,
the Associate Dean for Research will report at least each quarter
to the Dean of the School of Medicine on the progress of sponsored
research activity and the utilization of University resources.
ACTION
REQUIRED: Approval by the Health Affairs Committee and by the
Board of Visitors.
CONFLICT
OF INTEREST EXEMPTION
WHEREAS,
the School of Medicine wishes to enter into a sponsored research
contract with Apache Medical Systems, Inc., for activities that
would assist in the development and validation of statistical and
mathematical decision support models for cardiovascular diseases,
HIV, cancer and women’s health issues; and
WHEREAS,
William A. Knaus, M.D., has disclosed in advance his equity interests
of 5.8 percent, in Apache Medical Systems Inc.; and
WHEREAS,
the University’s entry into a research agreement with Apache
Medical Systems, Inc., would thereby expose Dr. Knaus to violation
of the Conflicts of Interest Act unless approved by the Board as
permitted by §2.1-639.6(c) (7) of the Code of Virginia;
RESOLVED
that the conflict of interest of William A. Knaus, M.D., is approved
by the Board of Visitors in order to permit the University to enter
into an agreement with Apache Medical Systems, Inc., for activities
that would assist in the development and validation of statistical
and mathematical decision support models for cardiovascular diseases,
HIV, cancer and women’s health issues; provided, as required
by the Virginia Conflict of Interests Act, Dr.Knaus, files the required
annual disclosure statement of personal interests in Apache Medical
Systems, Inc., the University files the required annual report concerning
the contract with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and the Associate
Dean for Research vigilantly oversees the application of University
resources in the best interests of the University and in accordance
with policy.
UNIVERSITY
OF VIRGINIA
FISCAL
IMPACT STATEMENT
PROJECT/PROPOSED
BOARD OF VISITORS ACTION: Approval of a personal interest in
a contract with Apache Medical Systems, Inc.
DESCRIPTION:
The School of Medicine is negotiating a sponsored research contract
with Apache Medical Systems, Inc., a Virginia company created in
1987. The founding members of Apache Medical Systems, Inc. include
a University of Virginia faculty member.
One
faculty member owns in excess of three percent equity in the company.
Under the Virginia Conflict of Interests Act, the University may
enter into a research contract with Apache Medical Systems, Inc.,
without placing the faculty member in violation of the Act, if the
Board of Visitors approves the conflict created by his ownership
in excess of three percent.
The
research contract would encompass project activities that would
assist in the development and validation of statistical and mathematical
decision support models for cardiovascular diseases, HIV, cancer,
and women’s health issues.
FISCAL
IMPACT: Fiscal impact is negligible. Major breakthroughs could
result in significant revenue gain for the University.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended that the Board of Visitors approve a personal
interest in a contract with Apache Medical Systems, Inc., for project
activities that would assist in the development and validation of
statistical and mathematical decision support models for cardiovascular
diseases, HIV, cancer, and women’s health issues.
RECOMMEND
APPROVAL OF BOARD ACTION:
Leonard W. Sandridge
October
6, 2000
UNIVERSITY
OF VIRGINIA
BOARD
OF VISITORS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
BOARD
MEETING: October 6, 2000
COMMITTEE: Health
Affairs
AGENDA
ITEM: II.A. Medical Center Financial
Report
as of July 31, 2000
ACTION
REQUIRED: None
BACKGROUND:
The Medical Center prepares a financial report and reviews it with
the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer before
submitting the report to the Health Affairs Committee of the Board
of Visitors. The Health Services Foundation (HSF) prepares and presents
financial statements to the Vice President and Provost for the Health
System.
DISCUSSION:
Discharges from the Medical Center for the month of July Fiscal
Year 2001 were below budget by 3.5 percent and below Fiscal Year
2000 by 2.4 percent. The Neurology and Pediatrics service lines
experienced the most significant decrease in discharges over last
year, while the Nursery, Obstetrics and Surgery service lines experienced
the most significant increases in discharges over last year. Although
discharges were below expectations, patient days were 1.8 percent
above budget and 1.9 percent above prior year. A higher than expected
case mix index led to a higher than expected average length of stay
for the month.
Net
operating revenue for July Fiscal Year 2001 was 7.9 percent above
net operating revenue for Fiscal Year 2000, but 5.4 percent below
the Fiscal Year 2001 budget. Inpatient revenue was 3.3 percent lower
than budget and outpatient revenue was 12.3 percent lower than budget.
Total
operating expenses for July Fiscal Year 2001 were virtually equal
to budget for the month. Salaries and wages were over budget, but
were offset by lower than budgeted purchased services expenses.
When compared to prior year, July Fiscal Year 2001 operating expenses
were $3.4 million higher. This was primarily the result of higher
salaries and wages, medical supplies and purchased services expenses.
The number of full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) was 36 below
budget and 229 above prior year. The increase in salaries and FTEs
over prior year is primarily the result of University and HSF employees
moving to the Medical Center’s payroll with the conversion
to provider-based clinics in Fiscal Year 2001.
The
operating margin for July Fiscal Year 2001 was 3.8 percent, which
was below the budgeted margin of 9.0 percent, and below prior year’s
4.9 percent margin. The operating margin in July was budgeted high
because historically the Medical Center has experienced low expenses
in July and a high operating margin.
University
of Virginia Medical Center
Income Statement
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Most
Recent Three Fiscal Years
|
Budgeted
|
|
Description
|
July
99
|
July
00
|
July
01
|
July
01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Patient Revenue
|
$39.0
|
$38.2
|
$41.3
|
$43.8
|
|
Other
Revenue
|
1.0
|
0.7
|
0.7
|
0.6
|
|
Total
Operating Revenue
|
$40.0
|
$38.9
|
$42.0
|
$44.4
|
|
Operating
Expenses
|
36.1
|
34.1
|
37.4
|
37.4
|
|
Depreciation
|
2.5
|
2.5
|
2.6
|
2.6
|
|
Interest
Expense
|
0.5
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
|
Total
Operating Expenses
|
$39.1
|
$37.0
|
$40.4
|
$40.4
|
|
Operating
Income
(Loss)
|
$0.9
|
$1.9
|
$1.6
|
$4.0
|
Non-operating
income
(Loss)
|
$0.5
|
$0.7
|
$0.7
|
$0.4
|
|
Net
Income
|
$1.4
|
$2.6
|
$2.3
|
4.4
|
|
Debt.
Principal
|
$0.3
|
$0.3
|
$0.4
|
$0.4
|
University
of Virginia Medical Center
Balance Sheet
(Dollars in Millions)
|
Description
|
07/31/98
|
07/31/99
|
07/31/00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
cash and investments
|
$103.0
|
$95.9
|
$64.1
|
|
Patient
accounts receivables
|
55.2
|
44.1
|
50.8
|
|
Other
current assets
|
20.5
|
27.2
|
35.2
|
|
Property,
plant, and equipment
|
216.5
|
214.7
|
215.2
|
|
Depreciation
reserve investments
|
123.1
|
143.7
|
156.4
|
|
Other
assets
|
19.6
|
10.9
|
18.3
|
| |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
$537.9
|
$536.5
|
$540.0
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Current
portion long-term debt
|
$3.7
|
$3.8
|
$4.2
|
|
Accounts
payable and other liabilities
|
65.2
|
56.5
|
34.5
|
|
Longterm
Debt
|
92.5
|
93.0
|
93.2
|
|
Accrued
Leave and other LT liabilities
|
12.9
|
12.4
|
13.3
|
| |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
LIABILITIES
|
$174.3
|
$165.7
|
$145.2
|
|
FUND
BALANCE
|
$363.6
|
$370.8
|
$394.8
|
|
TOTAL
LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE
|
$537.9
|
$536.5
|
$540.0
|
University
of Virginia Medical Center
Finance Ratios
|
|
Most
Recent Three Fiscal Years
|
Budgeted
|
|
Description
|
July
99
|
July
00
|
July
01
|
July
01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Margin (%)
|
2.3
|
4.9
|
3.8
|
9.0
|
|
Total
Margin (%)
|
3.5
|
6.6
|
5.4
|
9.8
|
|
Current
Ratio (x)
|
2.6
|
2.8
|
3.9
|
4.0
|
|
Days
cash on hand (days)
|
195.7
|
220.0
|
185.3
|
190.0
|
|
Gross
Accounts receivable (days)
|
83.8
|
77.2
|
85.2
|
80.0
|
|
Average
payment period (days)
|
58.4
|
54.2
|
31.7
|
30.6
|
|
Annual
debt service coverage (x)
|
5.5
|
7.7
|
7.1
|
9.9
|
|
Debt-to-capitalization
(%)
|
20.3
|
20.1
|
19.1
|
20.0
|
|
|
7.7
|
7.8
|
7.4
|
7.4
|
University
of Virginia Medical Center
Operating Statistics
|
|
Most
Recent Three Fiscal Years
|
Budgeted
|
|
Description
|
July
99
|
July
00
|
July
01
|
July
01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discharges
|
2,535
|
2,392
|
2,335
|
2,419
|
|
Patient
Days
|
13,936
|
12,553
|
12,788
|
12,566
|
|
Average
Length of Stay
|
5.6
|
5.6
|
5.3
|
5.2
|
|
Clinic
Visits +B57
|
40,069
|
38,767
|
37,554
|
42,686
|
|
ER
Visits
|
4,945
|
4,736
|
4,996
|
5,679
|
|
Medicare
Cases Mix Index
|
1.8743
|
1.7674
|
1.9038
|
1.7850
|
|
Utilization
by Payor Class
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Medicare
%
|
37.7
|
35.4
|
38.9
|
37
|
|
Medicaid
%
|
14.1
|
13.1
|
12.4
|
11.9
|
|
Blue
Cross %
|
12.7
|
18.2
|
15.2
|
14
|
|
Managed
Care %
|
11.9
|
12.7
|
11.4
|
15.5
|
|
Self-Pay,
Commercial and others %
|
23.6
|
20.4
|
22.2
|
21.6
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
(%)
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
FTEs
|
4,675
|
4,378
|
4,607
|
4,643
|
UNIVERSITY
OF VIRGINIA
BOARD
OF VISITORS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
BOARD
MEETING: October
6, 2000
COMMITTEE: Health
Affairs
AGENDA
ITEM: II.B. Health System Performance
Improvement Project
ACTION
REQUIRED: None
BACKGROUND:
In January, the Health System, with the assistance of the health
care consulting division of the Computer Science Corporation (CSC),
began the second phase of its Performance Improvement Project. Phase
one, which ran from July to November 1999, involved an assessment
by CSC of the cost reduction and revenue enhancement opportunities
that exist within the Health System. The analysis covered the institution’s
clinical operations and administrative support areas, as well as
its revenue cycle and supply chain. CSC’s findings were outlined
to the Board of Visitors during executive session at the November
17,1999 Health Affairs Committee meeting. The current phase will
focus on translating the financial estimates in the CSC assessment
into concrete, implementable projects.
DISCUSSION:
Since the Board of Visitors’ meeting on June 16, the Performance
Improvement Project has solidified its efforts around administrative
and operating room supply expenses and revenue cycle opportunities.
In addition, the Pharmacy has had some contract negotiation successes.
The Steering Committee has met twice and approved most of the wide
range of proposed projects, many of which were implemented on July
1, 2000. Discussion will focus on an overview of the approved and
tabled projects, and progress reports on the initiative’s five
established work teams.
UNIVERSITY
OF VIRGINIA
BOARD
OF VISITORS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
BOARD
MEETING: October
6, 2000
COMMITTEE: Health
Affairs
AGENDA
ITEM: II.C. Clinical Issues - Lungs
For Life Screening Program
ACTION
REQUIRED: None
BACKGROUND:
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in both men
and women, accounting for approximately twenty-eight percent of
all cancer related deaths. Dr. Thomas Daniel, Dr. Jonathon Truwit
and Dr. Spencer Gay have helped bolster the fight against lung cancer
with their inception of the "Lungs for Life Screening Program".
The process involves a fifteen-minute screening using low-level
radiation CAT scans to detect abnormal spots on the lungs. This
non-invasive scan is painless and emits about twenty percent of
the radiation of a normal CAT scan. In addition to the CAT scan,
a breathing exhalation test is performed. The screenings are part
of the University's Cancer Center, with sponsorship from the Thoracic
Surgery, Pulmonary Medicine and Radiology departments.
DISCUSSION:
On September 6, 2000, the Lungs for Life Screening Program began
at the UVA Health System. The program is a multidisciplinary effort
by chest surgeons, radiologists and pulmonary medicine specialists
to offer the local, regional and statewide community an opportunity
to diagnose lung cancer and emphysema early. Both of these common
diseases are best treated early in their course. In fact, only fifteen
percent of people currently diagnosed with lung cancer are cured.
After speaking with a specially trained nurse practitioner, participants
are scheduled for a low radiation-dose CT scan of the chest and
a spirometry-breathing test.
If
a mass is found, a multispeciality team will review the test and
determine what type of follow-up treatments and/or referrals are
needed.
UNIVERSITY
OF VIRGINIA
BOARD
OF VISITORS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
BOARD
MEETING: October 6, 2000
COMMITTEE: Health
Affairs
AGENDA
ITEM: II.D. Remarks by the Vice President
and Provost for the Health System
ACTION
REQUIRED: None
DISCUSSION:
The Vice President and Provost for the Health System will utilize
this portion of the Health Affairs Committee
meeting to inform the Board of Visitors of recent events which do
not require formal action, but of which they should be made aware.
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