Vo l u m e x x v i i, N o . 8 N o v e m b e r 2 013
Screening for risky substance use Clinics implement a new model in primary care By Pam Pietruszewski, MA
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uring the past five years, more than 80 Minnesota primary care clinics have implemented the DIAMOND program (Depression Improvement Across Minnesota, Offering a New Direction) to treat patients with depression. In 2011, the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI), in partnership with the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative and the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality, received a $3.5 million grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The goals of the grant were to combine the evidence-based “Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment” (SBIRT) program with the DIAMOND program to screen patients for risky alcohol or drug use, as well. As part of the grant, all three partners helped primary care clinics in their states to train clinic staff, build patient and community awareness of the underserved conditions, develop patient registries to track patients progress, and support sustainability for the model.
One team, one bill
During the past two years, ICSI has helped 34 primary care clinics in Minnesota imScreening for risky substance use to page 12
Comprehensive care for knee surgery By Owen R. O’Neill, MD
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hysician-owned practices are adapting to the challenges of health care reform that stress the provision of high-quality care at lower cost with improved patient satisfaction. Twin Cities Orthopedics, a large physician-owned practice that has been in business for over 60 years, set out to further explore ways to innovate and lead in the evolving health care delivery system that would do just that. The resulting TCO Excel Surgery & Recovery Program, which offers a bundled price for knee replacement surgery, has One team, one bill to page 10