Toolkit for Improving Chronic Conditions, Hypertension & Diabetes: Care & Outcomes

• COVID-19
• Chronic Conditions
• Dissemination and Implementation
• Engagement in Care
• HIPxChange
• Health Equity
• Older Adults
• Prevention
• Quality and Safety

A Call to Action

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of premature death in Americans (CDC – High Blood Pressure). In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Heart Disease).

One in about every 10 people in the United States has diabetes and 1 out of 4 does not know they have it. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke and can lead to complications such as kidney failure, lower-limb amputations and adult-onset blindness. The combination of the high economic burden accounting for more than 20 percent of health care spending and a 50 percent higher risk of premature death makes diabetes prevention and care a priority (CDC – Diabetes and Prediabetes).

The Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ) and their member health systems support improving hypertension and diabetes control in Wisconsin. WCHQ is pleased to share and address both topics in the 2022 Toolkit for Improving Chronic Conditions, Hypertension & Diabetes: Care & Outcomes.

Role of Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ)

Nearly 65 percent of Wisconsin health care provider organizations voluntarily report more than 50 quality metrics to WCHQ to support quality improvement efforts.

Hypertension and diabetes improvement efforts continue to be a top priority for Wisconsin health care providers and the communities they serve. Using WCHQ publicly reported data, collective expertise and collaboration on “what works,” WCHQ members contributed their time and expertise to the development of this toolkit.

WCHQ Quality Improvement Teams

WCHQ Quality Improvement Teams brainstormed improvement activities related to hypertension and diabetes management as this toolkit was developed. They prioritized improvement strategies using a ‘what comes first’ approach. The Improvement Team identified five to seven improvement strategy recommendations and shared proven best practices successfully adopted within the WCHQ member organizations.

The result of their work is this comprehensive package of tools, resources and supportive literature to guide organizations interested in learning more about hypertension and diabetes with a goal of improving patient care and seeking better outcomes for patients.

The 2022 Toolkit for Improving Chronic Conditions, Hypertension & Diabetes: Care & Outcomes combines and provides necessary updates to the WCHQ’s previously published 2018 Improving Hypertension Care & Outcomes and Improving Diabetes Care & Outcomes Toolkits.

What does the toolkit contain?

A comprehensive package of tools, resources and supportive literature to guide organizations interested in learning more about hypertension and diabetes with a goal of improving patient care and seeking better outcomes for our patients.

Who should use the toolkit?

This toolkit is designed for administrators, clinicians and staff within health care provider organizations who are seeking strategies and tools to improve hypertension and diabetes control among their patients.

The toolkit may also interest others – e.g., researchers, payers – involved with quality improvement activities for hypertension and diabetes care in the ambulatory setting.

Toolkit development and funding

This toolkit was developed by a WCHQ Quality Improvement Team, representing clinical, quality, and operational leaders from health care provider organizations, as well as subject-matter experts from other key stakeholders. Team members and their organizations are acknowledged within the toolkit.

The toolkit received financial support from the Cooperative Agreement NU58DP006521, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Department of Health and Human Services received by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.

Please send questions, comments and suggestions to HIPxChange@hip.wisc.edu

Toolkit Citation

Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality. “Toolkit for Improving Chronic Conditions, Hypertension & Diabetes: Care & Outcomes.” Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality; 2022. Available at: www.hipxchange.org/WCHQ-Chronic-Conditions

WCHQ welcomes your questions and comments about this toolkit, which is intended to advance collaborative learning, open sharing and collective improvement. Contact the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality at info@wchq.org.