SPOKANE, Wash., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Nidus Physician Network Care Organization, a national medical organization dedicated to building partnerships between community and academic rheumatology practices, today announced that Crescendo Bioscience, developers of Vectra™ DA, the first and only multi-biomarker blood test for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity measurement and tracking, has become its first corporate sponsor. Nidus also announced that it will soon launch a new initiative called "We Count," an educational and research program for rheumatologists focused on all aspects of RA management from patient care to best practices based on a united approach to data.
The ability to incorporate clinical informatics across healthcare fields will become essential as the reimbursement landscape evolves to a more outcomes-based approach. "We Count" was created to ensure comprehensive data for individual patients and practices alike are standardized leading to better patient outcomes in the future. Utilizing its T3/JointMan™ registry, NIDUS will provide the rheumatology community a comprehensive software tool to input and track real time data based on both standard and recently approved diagnostic technology. Building a collaborative health information and research exchange hub will enable rheumatologists to collect, share, and use their data to establish standards, align incentives that measure quality, cost and access in a meaningful way.
"As physicians, our goal is to improve access to care and to achieve 'Treat to Target' outcomes in our patients," states Howard Kenney, MD, Nidus Board of Directors. "In the 'Treat to Target' recommendations recently published by the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR), part of the strategy requires measuring disease activity and adjusting therapy accordingly to optimize outcomes. But in order to have a target, we first need to measure or count in a standardized and credible manner. If we can show relevant outcome measures based on shared, validated data across all practices, we can improve patient care and provide the resources necessary to improve long-term outcomes for RA patients by predicting future damage and disability. We are particularly excited to be working with Crescendo and its multi-biomarker technology platform on this endeavor."
"As part of our goal to collaborate with high quality physician practices and academic centers, Crescendo is honored to be the first corporate sponsor of Nidus," states William A. Hagstrom, Chief Executive Officer of Crescendo Bioscience. "Nidus provides a united, physician-centered approach to RA data management that is greatly needed for sustainability in rheumatology. We are looking forward to working with them in their effort to advance rheumatology practice management in the face of important changes to the healthcare system."
About Nidus
Nidus Physician Care Network Organization is a national, grassroots medical organization dedicated to building partnerships between community and academic rheumatology practices by becoming the leader in objective based research, trends and technologies and promoting key cost-saving practices and products. Nidus was founded by a strategic alliance of community rheumatologists in the western United States and is rapidly expanding. Our goal is to help rheumatology physician practices increase operational efficiency, advance patient care, improve quality and reduce health care costs-openly and effectively. To meet these goals, Nidus offers group purchasing, data-protected patient care tools, online community resources and more. For more information, please visit: www.nidusnetwork.org.
About Crescendo Bioscience
Crescendo Bioscience is a molecular diagnostics company focused in rheumatology and located in South San Francisco, CA. Crescendo Bioscience develops quantitative, objective, biology-based tests to provide rheumatologists with deeper clinical insights to help enable more effective management of patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Crescendo's first product, Vectra™ DA is the only multi-biomarker blood test for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity that simultaneously integrates 12 key proteins consistently associated with RA disease activity into a single objective score to help physicians make more informed treatment decisions. Vectra DA testing is performed at Crescendo Bioscience's state-of-the-art CLIA (clinical laboratory improvement amendments) facility and test results are reported back within 7-10 days of receipt of sample. Physicians can either receive test results via standard report forms or via the private web portal, VectraView. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.CrescendoBio.com.