HealthPartners and Park Nicollet clinics again earn high marks for treatment of diabetes, vascular disease and depression

Minnesota Bridges to Excellence recognizes clinics with pay-for-performance rewards

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Patients with diabetes, vascular disease or clinical depression are getting some of the best possible care at dozens of HealthPartners and Park Nicollet clinics. These clinics once again earned high marks from the 2017 Minnesota Bridges to Excellence (MNBTE) program.

The program rewards clinics who meet or exceed a strict set of care standards for patients with diabetes, depression and vascular disease. These chronic conditions are leading drivers of health care costs.

Across the organization, 14 HealthPartners clinics and 20 Park Nicollet clinics met at least one of the goals for achieving optimal diabetes, vascular and depression remission care. Several clinics met two goals.

Park Nicollet’s Golden Valley Clinic earned special recognition this year, earning its third consecutive MNBTE Grand Slam. Golden Valley is the only clinic across the state to meet optimal care achievement goals in all three categories.

“Our clinic teams have a lot to be proud of. This recognition is proof that you can deliver on cost and quality while putting patients’ needs first,” said Steven Connelly, MD, co-executive medical director, HealthPartners Care Group.

The diabetes measure includes levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. The measure also includes non-smoking status and daily aspirin use for all patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.

The vascular disease measure includes cholesterol and blood pressure levels, as well as non-smoking status and daily aspirin use.

The depression measurement targets remission at six months. This is based on improvement in the patients PHQ-9 score—derived from an assessment questionnaire completed by patients—over a six-month period.

View the complete list of reward recipients.