Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs)

Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs) are projects designed and implemented to improve members' health or the way they access care. These projects aim to improve any of the following:

• Clinical components – Specific things members can do to improve their health
• Organizational components – Aspects of PrimeWest Health that affect accessibility, availability, comprehensiveness, and continuity of health care
• Member components – Members' perceptions about the quality of PrimeWest Health's services

PrimeWest Health is currently working on the projects listed below. We have continued aspects of several of these projects beyond the formal Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)/Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements.

Increase Eye Exams in Members with Diabetes

This project seeks to increase the number of members with diabetes who have an annual retinal eye exam. This project also examines the relationship between diabetes and depression. This project began in 2024.

• Provider resources
  • Improving Care for People with Co-Occurring Diabetes and Depression (Stratis Health)
  • Understanding Diabetes and Mental Health (American Diabetes Association [ADA])
  • Diabetes and Mental Health (Minnesota Department of Health [MDH])
  • Ten Key Elements of a Diabetes-Related Eye Examination (ADA)
  • PrimeWest Health Diabetic Eye Exam Form
  • PrimeWest Health Member Incentive Voucher for an Annual Retinal/Dilated Eye Exam – Scroll to “Annual/Retinal Dilated Eye Exam”

Postpartum Depression Screening

This project seeks to increase the number of new mothers who are screened for postpartum depression. This screening can occur at well-child visits. This project began in 2021.

• Provider resources
  • Children’s Services section of the PrimeWest Health Provider Manual – Scroll to “Postpartum Depression Screening”
  • Perinatal Mental Health Information (MDH)
  • Child and Teen Checkup (C&TC) Resources (MDH)
  • Webinar – Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Statin Use in Members with Diabetes

This project seeks to increase the number of members with diabetes who take a statin and adhere to a statin regimen. This project began in 2021.

• Provider resources
  • Statin Information (Mayo Clinic)
  • Medication Adherence Tip Sheet

Reducing New Chronic Opioid Users

The goal of this project was to reduce the number of members who become chronic opioid users and included interventions for both members and providers. This project began in 2018 and formally ended in 2020. PrimeWest Health continues to seek to reduce opioid use.

• Provider resources
  • Provider Toolkit: Meeting the Challenges of Opioids and Pain
  • Opioid Prescribing Mapping Tools (CMS)
  • Minnesota’s Opioid Prescribing Improvement Program
  • Center for Opioid Resources and Education (CORE)

Medication Reconciliation Post-Discharge

This project focused on reducing hospital readmissions by improving medication reconciliation post-discharge through various targeted interventions. This project began in January 2013 and formally ended in 2015, but PrimeWest Health continues to offer interventions on this topic. 

• Provider resources
  • Medication Reconciliation Tool
  • Medication List for Member Distribution

Antidepressant Medication Management 

This project focused on improving the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^®)¹ Antidepressant Medication Management Continuation Phase measure. This measure examined the percentage of members who remained on an antidepressant medication for at least 180 days (six months). This project began in 2014 and formally ended in 2017, but antidepressant medication management remains an important focus.

• Provider resources
  • Antidepressant Medication Management Provider Tool Kit

¹HEDIS^® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

PW_2011_252
Updated_05/15/2024