Sept. 3 , 2008

CONTACT:
Communications Department
(320) 251-2700, ext. 74980

CentraCare Clinic offers new program for people with depression

Melrose, Minn. – CentraCare Clinic - Melrose is one of the first 10 primary care clinics in Minnesota and the only clinic in Central Minnesota to offer a new, more effective approach for caring for patients with depression. This new program is known as Depression Improvement Across Minnesota, Offering a New Direction (DIAMOND).

DIAMOND is a unique collaboration between dozens of Minnesota medical groups, six regional health plans and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Their efforts have been guided by the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI), a non-profit organization that brings medical groups, health plans, patients, health care purchasers and other constituencies together to develop solutions to problems in health care.

“DIAMOND is the first depression treatment program in the nation to integrate a collaborative care model with an effective, sustainable reimbursement structure that enables medical groups to provide outreach and enhanced care support to patients with depression,” said John Sakowski, interim president of ICSI.

CentraCare Clinic – Melrose completed training and other preparations through ICSI to become certified to offer this program.

“Primary care has struggled to bring the highest quality of care to patients with depression because it lacks the resources or, at times, the training to treat them effectively,” said Tim Hernandez, M.D., Medical Director, Family HealthServices Minnesota. “The DIAMOND team approach with the care manager and consulting psychiatrist will help primary care providers do a better job and bring the most effective care to the patient.”

“Clinical trials have demonstrated that use of this model in the primary care setting reduces the incidence of suicidal thoughts, puts patients in remission faster, results in 100 additional productive days over a two-year period, and reduces health care costs by more than $3,000 over a four-year period compared to patients who receive the usual primary care treatment and/or referral approach for depression,” said Julia Draxten, site coordinator, CentraCare Clinic – Melrose. “That’s the kind of results our patients deserve.”

Learn more about CentraCare Clinic - Melrose

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