On June 21st, representatives from 11 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) were at CHCACT for a Practice Transformation Network (PTN) Quality Forum. Under the federal Transforming Clinical Practices Initiative (TCPi), PTNs are peer-based learning networks that coach, mentor and assist clinicians and staff in a collaborative effort to expand their quality improvement capacity, lower health care costs and achieve a common goal of improved health outcomes.

CT-PTN holds quarterly in-person events to promote collaboration around the issues impacting transformation. This quarter’s Quality Forum had a focus on diabetes care management. The representatives of each health center were divided into small groups and discussed their model for diabetes care. Some specific topic points that were discussed included staffing roles and responsibilities, how they engage patients in care, risk stratification and social determinants of health that correspond to diabetes. In addition, each health center demonstrated how the data collected are used to better manage affected patients.

Heather Adams, Clinical Excellence Quality Improvement Advisor

After the groups were finished talking, everyone reconvened and each group shared existing diabetes program strengths, challenges and potential opportunities for future improvement.  Following this discussion, each health center developed a 90-day commitment plan for improving diabetic care that will use PTN’s resources for future collaboration with peer health centers. The FQHCs will share their outcomes of the 90-day commitments at the September 15th CT-PTN Summit.

If you have any questions regarding PTN or the quality forum, please contact me!

- Heather