One of the great minds and motivators behind the national movement to improve health care quality is slated to become the next administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  In anticipation of his nomination by President Obama (not yet official, but confirmed to multiple major media outlets by administration officials), Iowa hospital leaders are pleased with the thought of Dr. Donald Berwick running these important programs. 

They should be.  Much of what is right about Iowa health care – low-cost, high-quality, patient-centered and primary-care based – is what Dr. Berwick would like to see happening in the rest of the country.  If Dr. Berwick is confirmed to the post (something that probably won’t happen quickly, given the tumult surrounding the recently passed health care reform legislation), it wouldn’t be surprising to hear him talking about Iowa early on and often. 

As many Iowa health care providers know, Dr. Berwick runs the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), which focuses on “cultivating promising concepts for improving patient care and turning those ideas into action.”  One of IHI’s recent initiatives was “How Do They Do That?,” which provided regional case studies of high-value care.  

Out of hundreds of hospital referral regions (HRRs) around the country, 70 met IHI’s selection criteria.  With all eight of its HRRs meeting the criteria, only one other state had more representation than Iowa among the final 70 (California, which has two dozen HRRs, had nine that met the criteria).  One of the 10 HRRs selected to share their How Do They Do That? story was Cedar Rapids, and the CEOs of both of the city’s hospitals are excited about the prospect of Dr. Berwick leading CMS. 

“The selection of Dr. Berwick by President Obama to lead CMS is an inspired choice, particularly at a time of unprecedented rethinking of health care in our nation,” said Tim Charles, CEO at Mercy Medical Center-Cedar Rapids. “In 2003, our hospital joined with IHI because of Dr. Berwick’s commitment to the triple aims of improving patient experience, per capita cost and population health. I am certain these principles will act as his ‘true north’ as he guides CMS. 

“I have come to know Dr. Berwick more personally this past year and respect his commitment to our health care system. His identification of Cedar Rapids as a model suggests he would bring to his new role the recognition that our community is well down the road to achieving both its potential and promise as a provider of high-quality, low-cost care. We look forward to working with him.”

 “CMS could not be in more capable hands if Dr. Berwick is appointed its director,” said Ted Townsend, St. Luke’s Hospital president and CEO.  “I had the privilege of getting to know Don on a personal level after he invited a contingent of health care leaders from Cedar Rapids to IHI’s National Conference last year to talk about how Cedar Rapids provides high-quality, low-cost care.  Additionally, in his role at IHI, Don has worked with St. Luke’s and countless of other hospitals across the county to reduce errors, waste and preventable deaths. He is the perfect person to engage hospitals, doctors and health care providers to constantly strive to provide high-quality, low-cost and safe care.” 

Other hospital leaders have also spoken up in support of Dr. Berwick. IHA will share their thoughts in an upcoming post.