Quality Initiatives

Implementation of evidenced-based health care guidelines ensures standard care within the clinics. Priority is placed on conditions which are impacting our society in significant ways and are able to be addressed in such a way as to provide positive outcomes for our patients.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of airways. When patients with a diagnosis of asthma meet evidence-based treatment goals, they are more likely to have well controlled asthma. To read the complete asthma guideline, visit the ICSI website.

Diabetes

Implementation of evidenced-based standards of care ensure the best possible outcomes for diabetic patients. To learn more about diabetes care, visit the D5: Managing Diabetes Care in Minnesota web site.

Depression

Proper diagnosis and follow-up will positively affect the care of those patients. Utilizing a common tool to assess and grade depression allows for coordination of care across the health care system. Watch for more news as CentraCare Clinic continues to participate in the DIAMOND Initiative. To read the complete DIAMOND guideline, visit the ICSI website.

Preventive Services

Prevention is the best medicine. This initiative places tools at the hands of health care providers as they care for patients and assist in providing proper services at the appropriate times of life.

These services include age appropriate screening identified by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for the following:

• Breast Cancer Screening: Recommendations are for women ages 50-74 to receive a mammogram every 2 years.
• Cervical Cancer Screening: Recommendations are for women ages 21-64 to receive a pap smear test at least every 3 years.
• Colon Cancer Screening: Recommendations are for men and women ages 50-75 to be screened for colon cancer, preferably by colonoscopy every 10 years.
• Chlamydia Screening: Recommendations are for women ages 16-21 to receive a yearly chlamydia screening if sexually active.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening: Recommendations are for men ages 65-75 who have ever smoked to have one screening test for AAA performed.
• Body Mass Index (BMI): Recommendations are for a yearly BMI measured on all patients.
  

Health Care Home

A "health care home," also called a "medical home," is an approach to primary care in which primary care providers, families and patients work in partnership to improve health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with chronic health conditions and disabilities.

The development of health care homes in Minnesota is part of the ground-breaking health reform legislation passed in May 2008. The legislation includes payment to primary care providers for partnering with patients and families to provide coordination of care.

Learn more about the CentraCare Clinic Health Care Home program

Medication Safety

There are many steps you as a patient can take to work with your health care providers to prevent medication errors. Start by being an informed consumer and learn all you can about your condition and the medications used to treat it.

The seven rights of medication administration:

• Right medication – staff will verify the medication with order.
• Right patient – staff will confirm your name and your date-of-birth.
• Right dose – staff will check the medication dose.
• Right time – staff will check to make sure you are receiving your medication at the right time.
• Right route – you should receive the medication the way the provider ordered, through mouth, injection or IV.
• Right reason – you should know why you are receiving the medication.
• Right documentation - medication dose and route will be documented in your medical record.

Learn more about what you can do to help prevent medication errors

Cardiovascular Disease

Vascular disease is any condition that affects the blood vessels and can lead to hardening or clogging of the arteries. This can limit the heart’s ability to supply oxygen and nutrients to the rest of your body.

When patients with vascular disease meet evidence-based treatment goals, they are less likely to experience complications such as heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest. Patients with vascular disease who receive proper treatment can lead normal, healthy lives.

To read the complete Cardiovascular Disease guideline, visit the ICSI website.