Since we formed in 2011, we have made recommendations, such as having goals of care conversations as a regular part of oncology care, for improving quality and value for patients in our State’s health care system. Some of these recommendations have been formally adopted into contracts. See last month’s blog post: From Concept to Contracting: How One Purchaser Uses Bree Best Practice Recommendations to Achieve the Triple Aim. Other recommendations have already been standard practice in some hospitals and clinics before our work. Still other recommendations are not part of how health care is delivered. Implementation is a work in progress.
Right now we are surveying hospitals and medical groups to asses if, where, and how recommendations have been put into use. Health insurers and employers as health care purchasers will be surveyed next. We plan to find out how far along our community is in order to best plan next steps. We are asking whether adoption and implementation are being considered or whether our recommendations have been implemented partially or fully. Results will give us a reference point so we can measure future progress.
