28 Allina clinics honored for delivering optimal care by Health Care Buyers Group
MINNEAPOLIS 06/24/2010--28 Allina clinics have been named as 2010 Minnesota Bridges to Excellence award winners by the Buyers Health Care Action Group (BHCAG). The award honors health care providers that deliver optimal care to patients with diabetes, vascular disease and depression.
The Bridges to Excellence program was established by BHCAG in 2005. It relies on data that is publicly reported to identify clinics that qualify for an achievement reward for meeting or exceeding optimal care standards for a specified percentage of patients.
"We are proud to receive recognition from BHCAG for the Minnesota Bridges to Excellence program," said Dr. Penny Wheeler, chief clinical officer, Allina Hospitals & Clinics. "BHCAG's goal of meeting or exceeding optimal care standards fits exactly with our mission, which is to provide exceptional care as we prevent illness. "All of our providers understand that we fulfill our mission best when we, first, keep our patients healthy by helping prevent serious illness. BHCAG's recognition of 28 Allina clinics is confirmation we are delivering on our mission. That means we are making a positive difference in the quality of life for more and more of our patients."
In all, 23 Allina Medical Clinic sites, four of Allina's Aspen Medical Group clinics and Allina's Quello Clinic–Chanhassen were recognized for their outstanding patient care in the BHCAG 2010.
"When health care providers share their performance outcomes with the public and everyone is working from a common set of standards and measures, we can create positive change in the marketplace," said Carolyn Pare, president and CEO of the Buyers Health Care Action Group, the organization that developed the Minnesota Bridges to Excellence Program.
"Medical groups and clinics that are receiving Bridges to Excellence rewards have shown their commitment to transparency and to delivering quality care to their patients. They should be applauded for these efforts."
To be eligible for a reward, clinics had to have a certain percentage of patients at optimal levels of care.
- Diabetes measurements included levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, along with non-smoking status and daily aspirin use for patients over 40.
- Vascular disease measurements included cholesterol, and blood pressure, along with non-smoking status, and daily aspirin for all patients.
- Depression measurements included the improvement in scores obtained from a depression assessment questionnaire.
Clinical criteria for the Minnesota Bridges to Excellence program are developed by the Minnesota-based Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI).
About Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, more than 90 clinics, and medical services, including home care, hospice and palliative care, oxygen and medical equipment, pharmacies and emergency medical transportation.
For more about Allina's care goals and ratings, go to allina.com/quality.
About the Buyers Health Care Action Group
Formed in 1988, the Buyers Health Care Action Group (BHCAG) is a Minnesota-based coalition of public and private employers working to recreate the health care system so consumers will get the care they need in the right place, at the right time and at the right price. BHCAG has introduced a number of nationally recognized innovations in health care contracting, delivery, quality and consumerism. BHCAG is based in Bloomington, Minn. For more information, visit bhcag.com.
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Diabetes
Buyers Health Care Action Group's list of all winners