While Minnesota providers continue to improve their performance on a set of key quality measures, substantial gaps remain between the best and worst performing groups, according to a set of quality ratings just released by a community non-profit group. MN Community Measurement, which is backed by the Minnesota Medical Association and the state's health plans, issues quality ratings on the majority of health systems in the state. Among the positives the non-profit found was that health systems had significantly improved diabetes management strategies, boosting the percentage of patients with optimal control from 6 percent in 2005 to 9 percent in 2006. The health systems also increased the percentage of children that had had all recommended immunizations by age two to 78 percent, up from 68 percent in 2005. However, there were large differences in performance between different providers. For example, anywhere from 34 percent to 81 percent of patients got colorectal cancer screenings, depending on which medical group was involved.

Given the group's backing, providers are likely to take the ratings seriously. But this year, the non-profit group's ratings will have added significance, as a large group of employees will be encouraged to review the results. The state's Department of Employee Relations is beginning open enrollment for 50,000 state employees, and is encouraging consumers to visit the MN Community Measurement website.

To learn more about the ratings:
- see the group's release [1]

Related Article:
The Minnesota Hospital Association posts pricing data on member hospitals to the Web. Article [2]