Programs sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan with leadership by the U-M Health System to lower complication and mortality rates have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The AHRQ publication "Innovations Exchange" describes the financial incentives, infrastructure and other support to stimulate provider participation in collaborative quality initiatives.
Blue Cross provides funding for a dedicated coordinating center for each CQI. Centers are typically housed and staffed by the University of Michigan Health System, with one center hosted at William Beaumont Health System.
BCBSM’s collaborative programs have lowered complication and mortality rates for thousands of patients and saved $232 million in health care costs.
The results of the longest running CQI’s – covering general surgery, bariatric surgery, angioplasty and cardiac surgery – has served as a model for other regional, provider-led quality improvement collaborations across the country.
According to the AHRQ, “the incentive and support structure has generated very high levels of provider participation in the collaborations, which have significantly improved quality, reduced costs, and generated a positive return on investment.”
To learn more about the innovative activity and the U-M’s part in its success go to: http://www.innovations.ahrq.gov/content.aspx?id=3641.
Information on the individual CQIs is available at: http://www.valuepartnerships.com/hospital_initiatives/collaborations.shtml.
