We are disappointed that the Comptroller’s report fails to capture the current state of mammography screening wait times at HHC.  The auditors spent nearly 18 months reviewing data from fiscal year 2009 and in their press statements chose to ignore the more recent data made available to them which shows the significant improvements HHC has made over the last two years.

We absolutely refute their conclusion that there are any dangerous delays to patients.  There are no delays in cases where a doctor or medical provider has determined that a mammogram is needed immediately.  Patients who present with a lump or other negative findings can receive a diagnostic mammogram within 24 – 72 hours.  And, at least seven of our hospitals have a zero ("0") to 1 day wait time for a screening mammogram today.  That means that the great majority of HHC patients are able to receive mammography within the 14 day target, even some on the same day of request.

We hope the Comptroller's alarming message from outdated data does not discourage any New York woman from seeking a mammogram at an HHC hospital or health center. 

About HHC
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated health care delivery system with its own 400,000 member health plan, MetroPlus, and is the largest municipal health care organization in the country. HHC serves 1.3 million New Yorkers every year and more than 450,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commissions John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality.   For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc.

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