March 2025
Board of Directors Sets Statewide Quality Priorities and Goals for 2025
WCHQ’s Board of Director’s has affirmed our statewide commitment to improving quality in chronic disease, cancer screening, and pediatric care. These quality priorities and goals will guide our improvement strategies throughout the year. Through improvement teams, education events, data analytics, and health system technical assistance, we will work with our members and partners to improve care and outcomes in these areas.
If you are interested in learning more about our quality improvement work, contact Abbey Harburn.
Measles Outbreak Preparation: Wisconsin’s At-Risk Populations
One of WCHQ’s quality priorities is childhood immunizations. Our data focus this month is on the MMR vaccination rates as there are a total of 378 confirmed cases of measles across 18 states as of March 20, 2025 per the CDC. Measles is a highly contagious and potentially dangerous disease, especially for young children. It can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and even death. However, it is easily preventable through vaccination. Herd immunity can be achieved with populations more than 90% immunized.
Overall, WCHQ members have achieved a 91% immunization rate for their childhood populations. However, there are areas across the state with much lower rates, including the counties of Jefferson, Juneau, Racine, Richland, Sauk, and Washburn.
Those without access to commercial insurance, especially those without any insurance are also at a greater risk.
Additionally, both the American Indian/Alaska Native and Black/African American populations are under the desired 90% rate to achieve herd immunity.
WCHQ will provide this data to the Department of Health Services, county public health departments, and health systems to assist in targeting vaccine outreach efforts.
Interested in more details on your health system’s populations? Contact Abbey Harburn or Jamon Opgenorth
Enhancing the CKD Patient Journey: Free Education and Tool Kits
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 15% of the population or 37 million lives. During our recent educational webinar, Jennifer Brady, MD, Pranjal Shah, MD and Mia Spitz from Advocate Health shared their strategies for improving chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening, treatment, and outcomes for patients using clinical and operational levers.
The session highlighted the importance of early identification, nephrology referrals, patient education, and care coordination to reduce disease progression and healthcare costs.
This spring, WCHQ will begin publicly reporting CKD screening for patients with diabetes. Screening for CKD helps prevent End Stage Renal Disease, increasing healthcare value and patient outcomes. This initiative is set to enhance care for nearly 275,000 patients across Wisconsin.
For those looking to implement best practices in CKD management, WCHQ offers a CKD toolkit with valuable resources to support increased screening and treatment efforts.
If you’re interested in getting involved in our work to expand CKD screening and improve patient care, contact Jen Koberstein.
