Bridges to Excellence (BTE) has recognition programs intended to identify clinicians and practices who deliver high-value care to patients with specific chronic conditions. Recognitions cover major chronic conditions, such as diabetes care, cardiac care, congestive heart failure, and asthma. There are also practice level Office Systems and Medical Home recognitions. While there are close to 30,000 physician recognitions nationally, currently only a fairly small number of physicians in the local Massachusetts and surrounding area have achieved BTE recognition.
Levels of Recognition
Several recognitions have multiple levels of distinction. Clinician recognition levels are generally defined as:
- Level I - Program recognition threshold is set to focus on above average performance.
- Level II - Program recognition threshold is set to focus on very good performance.
- Level III - Program recognition threshold is set to focus on exceptional performance.
Recognitions
Asthma Care - Clinicians must meet benchmarks on measures such as lung function test and monitoring, appropriate medication therapy, smoking cessation, annual influenza vaccination, and patient self-management plan.
Cardiac Care - Clinicians must meet benchmarks on measures such as blood pressure and LDL levels, complete lipoid profile, use of aspirin or other antithrombotic, and smoking cessation.
Cardiology Practice* - Practices must meet benchmarks on measures in treating conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
Congestive Heart Failure - Clinicians must meet benchmarks on measures such as Beta blocker therapy, LV function assessment, appropriate ACE-I/ARB therapy, assessment of patient weight and activity level, and patient education.
Coronary Artery Disease Care - Clinicians must meet benchmarks on measures such as blood pressure and lipid management, evaluation of activity level and anginal symptoms, smoking cessation, aspirin/antiplatelet therapy, Beta blocker treatment after a heart attack.
Diabetes - Clinicians must meet benchmarks on measures such as blood pressure, LDL levels, hemoglobin BA1c levels, ophthalmologic and podiatry exams, and nephropathy assessment.
High Blood Pressure/Hypertension - Clinicians must meet benchmarks on measures such as blood pressure and lipid management, aspirin use, diabetes screening, smoking cessation, urine protein test, and counseling for diet and physical activity.
Medical Home* - Clinicians and practices that achieve a combination of BTE's Care Recognition and Physician Office Programs will receive the BTE Medical Home designation since they have demonstrated that they have information systems in place and are using them to achieve improved outcomes in patient care.
Physician Office Systems* - Practices must demonstrate that they have implemented systematic office processes to reduce errors and increase quality.
To learn more about Bridges To Excellence recognitions, visit: http://www.hci3.org/recognition_programs
Cardiology Practice, Physician Office Systems, and Medical Home are practice level recognitions. Providers with these recognitions displayed in this directory may practice at multiple locations but all locations may not be have been awarded these recognitions.
