TMF Health Quality Institute Honored for Contributions In Cardiovascular Health Promotion
Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Recognizes TMF for Efforts to Increase Lipid Testing Among African-Americans with Diabetes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Emilie Fennell
(512) 334-1649
efennell@txqio.sdps.org
1-800-725-9216
Austin, TX – February 28, 2007 – TMF Health Quality Institute, a leading nonprofit health care consulting company, has been recognized by the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Health Disease and Stroke as an “Outstanding Program for 2007 Texas Cardiovascular Health Promotion Awards” for coordination of activities with community partners to increase lipid testing among African-Americans with diabetes in a seven-county area. TMF led a coalition that included representatives from the American Heart Association, the Greater Houston and Fort Bend County Black Nurses Associations, and other health organizations dedicated to improvement in minority health.
TMF developed interventions to help increase the likelihood that African-American Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes would seek out and obtain a lipid test and providers would recommend this specific test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels when they interacted with the beneficiaries.
“Diabetes is highly prevalent in Texas and a particularly significant issue within the African-American community,” said Madeline Gill, TMF beneficiary relations consultant. “People with diabetes are at high risk for a heart attack or stroke, and cholesterol levels have an effect on this risk. It is recommended that patients with diabetes receive a lipid test every year to monitor their levels.”
A result of the project was a significant increase in the number of African-American Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who received a lipid test in comparison with Caucasian beneficiaries in targeted areas. Overall there was a 55% reduction in the disparity between the lipid testing rates of African-Americans and Caucasians.
This program was conducted by TMF in its role as the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Texas. As a QIO, TMF is working toward a health care system in which every person receives the right care every time, and in which providers have the tools and resources to deliver that care.
The Texas Cardiovascular Health Disease and Stroke Council presented the award to TMF at a ceremony in Galveston on Monday, February 26.
For more information about the diabetes management, visit here.
Data and methodology for the data presented here can be obtained by contacting TMF.
About TMF Health Quality Institute
TMF Health Quality Institute, formerly Texas Medical Foundation, is an Austin, Texas-based nonprofit consulting company focused on promoting quality health and health care through contracts with federal, state and local governments, as well as private organizations. TMF partners with health care providers in a variety of settings to ensure that every person receives the appropriate care, every time.