Lakewood Health System recognized by the Minnesota Health Action Group
Lakewood Health System clinics are among 276 Minnesota and border state clinics that were recently recognized by the Minnesota Health Action Group (The Action Group) for delivering optimal care and achieving optimal care measures, or improving specific patient outcomes as part of the 2016 Minnesota Bridges to Excellence program and the Minnesota Quality Incentive Payment System, a State of Minnesota pay-for-performance program that is administered by The Action Group.
Lakewood’s Browerville clinic was recognized for improving the program’s specific clinical outcomes for patients with diabetes and vascular disease which is known to be a primary driver of healthcare costs. Meeting achievement goals is the highest level of recognition in the program.
“We are honored to be recognized for the great work our staff has done to reach or improve upon our goals,” said Kimberly Bryniarski, Clinic Quality Improvement Manager for Lakewood Health System. “Our patients are our top priority, so we work diligently to ensure they receive the care they need. Being recognized for doing so is secondary only to the improved health of our patients.”
The Minnesota Bridges to Excellence program, which was established by the Minnesota Health Action Group in 2004, and the State’s Quality Incentive Payment System implemented in 2011, uses clinical data that is publicly reported to identify clinics that qualify for a reward for meeting or exceeding optimal care standards for a specified percentage of patients with diabetes, vascular disease and depression.
“Clinics that receive rewards are doing an exceptional job in caring for their patients and we applaud them for their commitment and results,” said Carolyn Pare, president and CEO of The Action Group. “Our aspiration is for all Minnesotans to receive the right care, at the right time and at the right price. This can only be achieved through genuine collaboration on behalf of providers, patients, purchasers and other community stakeholders.”
To be eligible for a reward, clinics must have a certain percentage of patients at optimal levels of care or significantly increase the number over the previous year. Performance goals are set each year by the Minnesota Health Action Group and the purchasers who fund the rewards.
Based in Bloomington, the Minnesota Health Action Group is the only Minnesota organization whose sole purpose is to represent the collective voice of those who pay the bill for health care - employers, public purchasers and individuals.
