BIDMC Participates in Massachusetts Free Colonoscopy Pilot Program
Program Provides Access for Underinsured/Uninsured Residents
Date: 3/23/2009
BIDMC Contact: Zineb Marchoudi
Phone: 617-667-7305
Email: zmarchou@bidmc.harvard.edu
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) was one of nine hospitals across the state participating in a free colonoscopy pilot program on March 21 targeting uninsured or underinsured individuals who could not otherwise afford the vital test. A team of 10 nurses and two doctors joined countless other BIDMC staff in volunteering their time for the Saturday morning screening which provided nine patients with the test free of charge.
“It is very important to provide services to communities and patients without the means to have this procedure done,” said Douglas Horst, MD, Gastroenterology, one of the doctors who volunteered his time to perform the procedures. “The nurses, doctors and staff who volunteered to help all know the importance of giving back to the community.”
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among Massachusetts residents and can be prevented with proper screening. However, only half of people who need colorectal cancer screening get them, and individuals who do not have health insurance are less likely to undergo the screening putting them at a higher death rate due to more advanced disease at diagnosis. This event, organized by the American Cancer Society, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and American Gastroenterology Association, is a pilot for a larger, nationwide screening next year.
“It really is terrific being a part of this wonderful program in Massachusetts serving a community of patients who might otherwise not have been screened for this most preventable type of cancer,” said Eileen Joyce, Administrative Director, Gastroenterology. “At the same time, we’re setting the stage for a national free colonoscopy screening day for similar patients.”
The nine patients who benefited from the free colonoscopy procedure were all uninsured or underinsured patients from BIDMC’s affiliated partner Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center (JMSCHC). The JMSCHC staff was responsible for recruiting the patients, making sure they were educated and prepped for the procedure and ensuring that all other barriers were removed.
“We are the front line for these patients in getting them the education about why this is important,” said Alejandro Alvarez, JMSCHC, who was part of the group that helped recruit and educate patients for the screening.
Besides education, one of the other barriers to preventative screening is often language. During this free screening event, two BIDMC interpreters were present to help translate medical information to non-English speaking patients. Grace Potters, Manager, Interpreter Services, and Wimolwan Reed, Interpreter Services, were on hand to help the Spanish and Thai speaking patients communicate with their doctors and nurses.
“When I heard about this event I wanted to do everything I could to help out,” said Potters who translated for the six Spanish speaking patients that morning.
Other participating hospitals include Berkshire Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, MetroWest Medical Center, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, North Shore Medical Center and UMass Memorial Medical Center.
“We are very pleased that so many hospitals were willing to participate,” said Jewel Mullen, MD, MPH, MPA, Director of the Bureau of Community Health Access and Promotion, MA Department of Public Health. “It is so important that people over 50 get screened regularly, and we do not want cost to deter anyone from receiving this service.”
