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Performance Improvement Project (PIPs)

Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs) are projects designed and implemented to improve members' health or the way they access care. These projects aim to improve any of the following:

  • Clinical components
  • Organizational components – aspects of PrimeWest Health that affect accessibility, availability, comprehensiveness, and continuity of health care
  • Member components – members' perceptions about the quality of PrimeWest Health's services

Current projects include the following:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Promotes the HPV vaccine for members 11 and 12 years old to protect against cervical cancer; started January 1, 2008. This project continues to succeed: the number of members receiving the HPV vaccine has improved. Aspirin Therapy in Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes Mellitus
Asks members to talk to their health care providers about using aspirin therapy to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke; started January 1, 2008. This project continues to succeed: the number of members who receive prescriptions for aspirin has improved.

Preventive Visits for New Members
Promotes preventive visits to a primary care provider for members newly enrolled in PrimeWest Health; started January 1, 2009. This project has been extended because improvements have not occurred. Modifications to project interventions are being made in an attempt to overcome coding challenges and other barriers.

Provider Outreach Materials for Preventive Visits

Blood Pressure Control for Members with Diabetes
The PIP started in January 2010 promoted self-monitoring of blood pressure at home and in the community with the goal of blood pressure control of <130/80 for members with diabetes.

This project was revised in 2011. Blood pressure guidelines (including Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement [ICSI] guidelines) have recently changed and are still evolving. To accommodate these changes, the project promotes self-monitoring of blood pressure at home and in the community with the goal of blood pressure control of <140/90 for member with diabetes.

Providers, please set blood pressure goals and management plans for your patients. Also, please continue to prescribe home blood pressure monitors for PrimeWest Health members if appropriate. This is a covered benefit when members fill the prescription at a contracted pharmacy or durable medical equipment (DME) provider (see Contracted Pharmacy and DME Provider List).

Post-discharge Member Follow-up
Promotes timely coordination and information sharing with contracted focus hospitals to improve the outcomes of discharge planning for members and ultimately reduce readmissions; started February 2011.

Cholesterol Screening among Members with Diabetes
Promotes annual LDL-C screenings among members with diabetes; started February 2011.

PW_2011_252
Updated_ 06/10/2011