Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan Health System have signed a letter of intent to negotiate a partnership, according to The Boston Globe.
The partnership could help increase the volume of referrals to Dana-Farber, which currently draws about 70 percent of its patient population from Massachusetts. It would also expand the pool from which Dana-Farber clinicians conduct clinical studies, according to the report.
The cancer center began a similar partnership with Portland-based MaineHealth, the largest healthcare provider in Maine, in December as part of an effort to expand its market share across New England, according to the report.
Lifespan's CEO, Timothy J. Babineau, MD, said partnering with Dana-Farber will enable Lifespan to retain patients who currently seek cancer care outside of the state. Roughly 13 percent of cancer patients in Rhode Island seek care outside of the state.
"This will help patients of Rhode Island know if they come here, they will have the added expertise of the Dana-Farber," said Dr. Babineau.