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• Overview
• AQICC-MU Communications
• AQICC-MU Workgroups
• Training
• CPCA Staff Contacts

Current as of April 19, 2010

OVERVIEW

Aligning Quality Improvement in California Clinics for Meaningful Use (AQICC- MU)

History - AQIC

In the summer of 2006, the Regional Associations of California (RAC), CPCA, and the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) began discussing a statewide QI project that would spread the collection and use of clinical data measures for patients with diabetes through electronic data reporting systems.

CPCA, in partnership with thirteen Regional Clinic Associations of California (Consortia), applied for and received a grant to fund the Accelerating Quality Improvement through Collaboration (AQIC) project.  This project was designed to strengthen and spread quality improvement processes at the point of service at the individual clinic, regionally at the consortia level, and at the state level. The purpose of AQIC was to:

• Accelerate each consortium’s ability to spread Quality Improvement systems. Since diabetes is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality, efforts will be focused on improving diabetes care.

• Draw on existing efforts at all consortia to inform the process and build upon best practices.

• Create standard data definitions and data collection methodologies in order to assure validity of data—specifically diabetes data—4 measures (HAIC average, HAIC frequency, LDL average, LDL frequency).

• Use valid data on local and regional level to accelerate Quality Improvement.

• Use of valid data for statewide policy efforts.

At the end of the 2 year project, CPCA and the regional consortia developed a statewide infrastructure that was responsive to local training and technical assistance needs of clinics engaged in quality improvement work.  This statewide infrastructure also allowed for statewide sharing of resources and expertise.

Based on the last report submission, 114 clinic organizations (275 clinic sites) reported on diabetes-related clinical measures, with 92% participation from FQHC organizations.  This translates into 83% of eligible clinic sites participating in the project – exceeding our statewide stretch goal of 80% clinic site participation.  Initial data validation efforts have helped clinics identify where data collection and reporting mechanisms can be improved to maximize the validity of the data reported.  The data is proving vital to helping regional consortia target QI training and technical assistance to help improve diabetes outcomes.  Clinical data validation work has helped many clinics enhance the use of their data reporting systems and raised the quality of data clinics are using to be more proactive in the care of their patients.

Present - AQICC-MU

The objective of AQICC-MU is to help prepare California clinics for “meaningful use” of electronic health records to improve clinical outcomes and operational efficiency via 4 regional training and learning communities.  The focus of the AQICC-MU learning communities is on the adoption of effective performance improvement processes by community health centers and clinics to help ensure that the right processes are automated and new systems are designed and implemented in such a way as to support quality and efficiency goals. The learning communities will also serve as a forum for training and best practices sharing of diabetes care strategies such as proactive care and continuing education for patients and clinicians/clinician teams.

AQICC-MU WORKGROUPS

• Standardized Measures Group: The goal of the SMG is to develop a set of standardized measures that allows for the consistent capture of the quality of care provided by community clinics throughout California.  Standardized data allows clinics to monitor their progress over time and compare their performance to defined benchmarks, in addition to supporting a variety of policy activities.
• Data Accuracy and Reporting Group: The Data Accuracy and Reporting Group (DARG) will make recommendations to the AQICC Steering Committee on standards for collection, validation, storage, aggregation, and reporting of AQICC data.
• Statewide Quality Improvement Collaborative: Develop statewide QI principles and strategic planning for statewide QI activities. Focus initially on AQICC-MU and Tools for Quality initiatives. Not a project decision-making body.

CPCA STAFF CONTACTS

If you have any questions, or need more information, please contact one of the staff below:

Vanesscia John
Deputy Director, Clinical Affairs
Phone: (916) 440-8170 ext. 1116

Email: vjohn@cpca.org

Copyright ©2005 California Primary Care Association. Contact information and legal disclaimers.