July 22, 2013
July 22, 2013 – In an ongoing effort to improve the transparency of health care quality in Oregon, the Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation (Q Corp) has released updated quality scores for primary care clinics across the state on its Partner for Quality Care website. The site allows consumers and other stakeholders to compare how clinics in Oregon perform in areas such as preventive care, chronic disease care and appropriate use of health care services. Q Corp, a nonprofit organization, has been a leader in the local effort to provide the public with information about the quality of health care delivered in Oregon’s clinics and hospitals. In 2008, Q Corp published the first public reports of health care quality for primary care clinics across the state. Since that time, the push for increased transparency in health care has grown, and public reporting has been included in many local and national initiatives to improve care. An example in Oregon is the recently proposed standards for recognition as a Patient-Centered Primary Care Home through the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), which would give clinics credit for participating in public reporting. “In true Oregon spirit, every year our community leaders come together to champion greater transparency in health care to meet the growing needs of consumers and other stakeholders,” says Mylia Christensen, executive director at Q Corp. “Oregon is leading the country in the development of new health care innovations and Q Corp’s public reporting program is being used as a unique source of trusted information about the care delivered to more than 2 million Oregonians. Q Corp has become a national model for translating data from multiple health plans, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage into information consumers can use to make decisions for themselves and their family members.” In addition to an annual update of quality scores, Q Corp continues to add new types of information to the public reporting website. In June 2013, Q Corp began publicly reporting on the patient experience of care at the clinic level. This information was collected using a nationally endorsed survey that asks patients about communications with their doctor, access to timely care when they need it, and whether they were treated with courtesy and respect by all staff at a doctor’s office. This milestone event was a collaboration between Q Corp, OHA and other community partners, and was made possible because of the commitment of 10 pioneering clinics to measure, report and improve the patient experience of care. Q Corp’s public reports of health care quality and utilization are based on claims data contributed by eight of Oregon’s largest health plans, two managed Medicaid organizations, and the OHA’s Division of Medical Assistance Programs. Q Corp’s public reporting program is also supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) initiative, a program in 16 communities across the United States. AF4Q is the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s signature effort to improve the overall quality of health care in targeted communities. In 2007, RWJF selected Q Corp to lead the local AF4Q effort. Q Corp is also a designated Chartered Value Exchange by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and a member of the Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement. ### The Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality and affordability of health care in Oregon by leading community collaborations and producing unbiased information. We work withthe members of our community – including consumers, providers, employers, policymakers and health insurers – to improve the health of all Oregonians. For more information, visit www.Q-Corp.org.
