P333 The development of coordinated care pathways and feasibility testing in inflammatory bowel disease management

Abstract

Background: Guideline non-adherence and inefficient care delivery are main drivers of health care costs. Coordinated care pathways have been proposed to assist in decreasing health expenditures and increasing patient value. We developed an evidence based multidisciplinary care pathway and tested its feasibility. In order to introduce cost awareness at the practice level, a model was developed to estimate procedural costs per care pathway and costs per additional procedure. Methods: IBD related guidelines were collected and complemented with relevant literature and consensus statements. Care scenarios were designed based on patients' disease activity and treatment strategy. Appropriate tests, procedures and office visits were incorporated in the care scenarios, including standards for task differentiation and quality indicators. Outcomes were assessed using clinical disease activity indices (DAI) (Harvey Bradshaw Index for CD and partial Mayo score for UC) and quality of life (QoL) scores. Healthcare utilization rates were analyzed using insurance claims from patients insured through Wellpoint California. UCLA charges were used to develop a cost model. Results: Five annual care scenarios were developed for remissive patients, and five 6-week care scenarios for active patients. We assumed that 6 week intensive care scenarios would offer sufficient time to induce remission. A cost model estimating procedural costs (per care scenario, and per individual procedure) was developed (Table 1). As of October 2013 642 IBD patients (50% CD, 48% UC, 2% IBDU) had been treated accordingly (mean age 41.8 years (SD 15.7 years), 52% male). Patients were managed at 2 locations by 11 physicians and 3 IBD nurse coordinators. Task differentiation was introduced through SOPs (e.g. nurse (Table presented) coordinators were responsible for order management and contacting and monitoring patients). In active CD the average DAI was 4.2 (QoL 44.5), versus 1.2 in remission (QoL 53.0). For active UC the average DAI was 3.6 (QoL 43.4), versus 1.4 in remission (QoL 53.0). The annual relapse rate was 10% (8% CD, 13% UC). Average annual utilization rates were: 2.7 clinic visits, 1.1 colonoscopies, 0.6 hospital admissions, and 0.9 ER visits. Conclusions: We developed and analyzed multidisciplinary coordinated IBD care pathways, which are designed to be adopted into Accountable Care Organizations. These pathways allow individual flexibility and harmonize care across providers. The monitoring of health related outcomes and associated health care expenditures was feasible.