Improving Performance in Practice Asthma Initiative Selected for Spread by Alliance for Pediatric Quality

EVANSTON, Ill. — October 1, 2008 — The Improving Performance in Practice (IPIP) Asthma Initiative has been selected as an Improve First initiative by the Alliance for Pediatric Quality (Alliance). IPIP is a state-based, nationally led quality improvement initiative that helps physicians improve care in the office practice setting. The American Board of Medical Specialties’ (ABMS) Research and Education Foundation is overseeing IPIP.

A key feature of IPIP is the use of quality improvement coaches who go into physician offices and work closely with the entire practice team on improvement efforts. 
 
The Alliance advocates and creates visibility for Improve First initiatives by leveraging the relationships, expertise and resources of the Alliance partners. By spreading high-impact quality improvement initiatives, the Alliance aims to improve care for as many children as possible, as quickly as possible.

The IPIP asthma initiative was selected from more than 50 improvement initiatives associated with priorities identified by the Alliance’s expert task force. The priorities are based on the Alliance’s Improve First philosophy: Spreading well-designed, well-run improvement initiatives with demonstrated results is the single most important first step the pediatric community can take to measurably improve children’s health outcomes and transform how care is delivered.

Through the IPIP initiative, pediatricians and family physicians are changing practice patterns to reduce hospitalizations and emergency department visits for pediatric asthma patients. “We’re excited about spreading this successful initiative to additional primary care offices in Colorado, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, and look forward to adding practices in Michigan, Washington, Minnesota and Wisconsin in the near future,” says Sheldon Horowitz, MD, Special Advisor to the President of ABMS. “The Alliance partners have direct access to the physicians who provide ongoing care to children with asthma.”

A free webinar, highlighting the results-to-date and opportunities to get involved, is scheduled for May 19, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. ET.  Additional information is available at www.kidsquality.org.

About the ABMS Research and Education Foundation
The American Board of Medical Specialties Research and Education Foundation is a not-for profit charitable organization under Internal Revenue Code section 501c (3) and is affiliated with the American Board of Medical Specialties. Its mission is to support the scientific, scholarly and public education mission, purposes and goals of ABMS to improve healthcare quality. This involves actively initiating, engaging in, convening and supporting activities with other organizations concerned with the quality of physicians and medical care and with the development of professional and educational standards for certifying physician specialists. The Foundation offers program management, education and research capabilities and services. For more information, visit www.abms.org.

About the Alliance for Pediatric Quality