• Goals are bolder. The QIO Program supports the aims of the Department of Health and Human Services' National Quality Strategy. Providers that work with their QIO, for example, will contribute to improved cardiac health, fewer avoidable hospital readmissions, and a 40% national reduction in health care-acquired conditions.
• The patient is at the center. By including the voice of the beneficiary in all their activities, QIOs are leading the way to patient-centered care. They will equip both providers and patients for shared health care decision making through a national Patient and Family Engagement Campaign.
• All improvers are welcome. Embracing "boundarilessness" as a prerequisite for system-wide change, QIOs are breaking down organizational, cultural and geographic barriers. Initiatives are open to providers at all levels of clinical performance that make a commitment to improvement.
• Everyone teaches and learns. Through large-scale learning and action networks, QIOs are accelerating the pace of change and rapidly spreading best practices. Improvement initiatives include collaborative projects, online interaction and peer-to-peer education.
• Greater value is fostered. QIOs will support CMS' new value based purchasing programs with technical assistance to providers that includes sharing best practices, assisting with data analysis and conducting improvement activities.

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 20 million people aged 20 years or older in the United States (Prevention, 2010); and with diabetes and hypertension as the two leading causes for CKD, the number is expected to double in ten years. In addition, it is estimated that 10 - 20% of these patients with diabetes will die of renal failure. There is ample evidence to suggest that in at least half of patients with diabetes, end stage renal disease (ESRD) could have been postponed or avoided with early detection and treatment.

HealthInsight's CKD initiative began in August 2008 in an effort to raise awareness for those at-risk, and to educate providers and consumers on the simple ways to screen, treat and monitor kidney function. As two of ten states selected for this work by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), our aim was statewide improvement in the use of evidence-based care practices to improve clinical outcomes. We realized our goal through the adoption of a clear, consistent message by all healthcare and health-related service providers regarding all aspects of CKD (prevention, risk factors, screening, and treatment options), and with increased access for healthcare providers and patients to resources and tools supporting appropriate screening, treatment, and self-management. Primary care physician offices, specialty physicians (nephrology, endocrinology, cardiology, vascular surgery), nurses, social workers, dieticians, community leaders, and representatives of minority groups in each state collaborated to implement interventions targeting patients and their caregivers, healthcare providers, and community partners to achieve system-level changes in care practices, patient and provider education, and self-management support. Success is a direct result of these partnerships and community involvement to create and sustain improvements.

1. The use of a certified EHR in a meaningful manner, such as e-prescribing. 
2. The use of certified EHR technology for electronic exchange of health information to improve quality of health care.
3. The use of certified EHR technology to submit clinical quality and other measures.

Simply put, "Meaningful Use" means healthcare providers demonstrate they are using certified EHR technology in ways that can be measured significantly in quality and in quantity.

Congratulations go to Silver Sage Center for Family Medicine in Reno, Nevada, Bountiful Family Healthcare in Utah, and Physicians Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada for accomplishing this goal. In recognition for championing the creation of an electronically-enabled health care system for better patient care, eligible providers at all clinics have been deemed Meaningful Use Vanguards or MUVers. The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) endorses the MUVer program.

Silver Sage Center for Family Medicine, Reno, Nevada

Bountiful Family Healthcare, Bountiful, Utah

 

Physicians Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

Over 60 outpatient clinics within the Salt Lake Metropolitan Statistical Area are participating in the Beacon Community effort to improve patient care through connectivity and collaboration. Connectivity refers to provider use of Electronic Health Records and Collaboration to the ability to improve partnerships among the many health care providers that comprise patients' care teams. Sharing critical health information, such as lab, x-ray, and hospital discharge reports improves patient safety and care transitions across primary care, specialty, and other medical providers. The Clinical Health Information Exchange (cHIE) will improve communication and coordination among all providers who share in patients' care.

Forty-four outpatient clinics established improvement aims, and began work to reach their Beacon goals. All Beacon Clinics will be assessed and establish aims by December 2011.

Clinic aims are associated with the following main categories:

• Increasing the number of patients receiving recommended A1c testing in the last 6 months;
• Improving patient self-management of diabetes; and
• Increasing the number of eye and foot exams for patients with diabetes.

On July 12, 2011, HealthInsight, in partnership with the Nevada healthcare community and its stakeholders, announced the launch of the Community Based Health Information Exchange (HIE). The HIE will seamlessly improve the timeliness, quality, and coordination of care for Nevadans.

Since the announcement, seven task forces made up of members of the various founding organizations and other members of the Nevada Healthcare community met to establish the roadmap for the HIE. The task forces are identified by their primary focus, including Communications and Web, Financial Sustainability, Governance and Outreach, Healthcare IT Adoption, Metrics for Success, Physician Adoption, and Privacy and Security. All task forces were charged with identifying the issues and opportunities that lie ahead for the organization.   The activities of the task forces are overseen by the Steering Committee, comprised of the top-level executives of the founding organizations. Task forces met biweekly and completed an unprecedented volume of work during their six week tenure, whereupon they submitted their recommendations to the Steering Committee for review and approval. 
 

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HealthInsight is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2011 Physician Office Quality Award. The 2011 HealthInsight Physician Office Quality Award aims to promote excellence in health care. Awards will be presented to physician office practices that meet the following criteria: 

1. Adoption of health information technology;
2. Regular use of population care management methods;
3. Participation in a data reporting quality initiative; and
4. Exemplary performance on nationally-recognized clinical outcome measures.

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