About the Initiative
District Health Department #10 (DHD #10) and Spectrum Health – Reed City Campus collaborated to provide services as part of a colorectal cancer screening pilot project funded by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH).  DHD #10 provided outreach risk assessment and FOBT kit materials and analysis and program planning and coordination to uninsured residents in Lake and Mecosta counties.

Spectrum Health provided colonoscopy screening, including physician services, pathology services, and treatment services to the uninsured project participants. Spectrum Health also provided a liaison contact, which functioned as a nurse case manager/patient advocate.  Her role was to ensure an efficient process of scheduling, preparation, and follow up throughout the colonoscopy procedure.  This person also served as the main contact person between the health department and the hospital, assisting with program implementation and billing issues.

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Impetus for the Collaboration
The collaboration was formed to facilitate the early detection pilot project funding opportunity through MDCH.  This project required clinical services, including colonoscopies and treatment.  Recognizing that these were services that the health department could not provide, DHD #10 drew upon its relationship with Spectrum Health – Reed City Campus.  This relationship was developed through the Lake County Health Improvement Initiative, spear-headed by Baldwin Family Health Care, to address the unique health concerns of Lake County.  One of the major concerns was the high rate of colorectal cancer mortality.  DHD #10’s response to the pilot project Request For Proposals was a direct result of the Lake County Health Improvement Initiative.  Spectrum Health had also provided assistance to DHD #10 with a colorectal cancer barriers identification project in Lake County.  The results of continued work on the issue of colorectal cancer mortality in Lake County led to the strengthening of this relationship.

In discussing the project with the hospital’s COO Linda Rubin, it was evident that the partnership could be extended to include a screening collaboration.  Potential participants were part of the hospital’s service area. Without this screening program, delays in detection of colorectal cancers would result in increased costs for the hospital as a service provider and reduced quality of life for the residents of this community.

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Results
Seventy-four (74) uninsured residents of Lake and Mecosta counties received risk assessment screening and education on colorectal cancer, including screening for risk factors and symptoms. Of the 74 residents, 21 received colonoscopies.  Preliminary results are showing a significant number of participants needing polyp removal; no cancer to date.

In addition to the clinical outcomes, this collaboration also resulted in other numerous benefits. Through this program and partnership, a strong basis has been developed for continued screening efforts.  For example, this concept has been shared with the Regional Cancer Steering Committee serving Northwest Central Michigan.  The committee is developing a project proposal to provide broad cancer early detection screening opportunities to targeted communities.  This proposal will be submitted as a federal Rural Outreach Grant this fall and will include screening for breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, etc., as determined by the committee. 

Many issues, including program flow, patient access, billing referral, and follow up, have been addressed and resolved to ensure a solid foundation with future programming.

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Lessons Learned
As partners, Spectrum Health and DHD #10 have learned how to work together to build the best possible program for the members of our community. Spectrum Health generously provided quality clinical services, as well as competent and helpful staff that went above and beyond their responsibility to the project. 

This partnership has resulted in a better understanding of how to create a successful program while working within financial and geographical limitations.

Problems that were presented during this project were promptly addressed and dealt with effectively with a key support to acknowledging the unique role each partner brought to the table.  For example, territorial and/or competition for credit of the project were never issues in this process, thus eliminating a major barrier in accomplishing our joint goals of meeting the needs of the community.

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Collaborating Partners

• District Health Department #10
• Spectrum Health – Reed City Campus

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MCC Recognition
"Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Pilot Program" received the Michigan Cancer Consortium’s 2006 Spirit of Collaboration Award.  The annual award is presented to member organizations that have done outstanding collaborative work to significantly move comprehensive cancer control activities forward in Michigan.

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Learn More
For more information about this project, please contact Jennifer Hansen, MA, District Health Department #10, at 231-316-8554 (e-mail: jhansen@dhd10.org).

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last updated: 02/25/07

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