AIAG - IPIP - Frequently Asked Questions
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IPIP
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FAQ's (frequently asked questions)

  1. What is the purpose of IPIP?
  2. How will IPIP help a practice improve diabetes and asthma care?
  3. How can the industry trained coach assist the medical practice?
  4. What is a patient registry?
  5. What will be the role of the coach with the medical practice?
  6. Can a practice participate in IPIP/PCMH if it does not have a registry?
  7. What if a practice has an electronic medical record system? Can that substitute for a registry?
  8. How does the Patient-Centered Medical Home related to IPIP?
 
  1. What is the purpose of IPIP?
    Improving Performance in Practice (IPIP) is a program to improve care processes, office efficiency and clinical outcomes for patients with diabetes and asthma, in phase one, and ultimately for all patients in a primary care practice. IPIP was designed by the American Board of Medical Specialties to give primary care doctors and their practices the tools, systems and support they need for transformation. The Michigan IPIP program is sponsored by the Michigan Primary Care Consortium in collaboration with the Automotive Industry Action Group.

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  2. How will IPIP help a practice improve diabetes and asthma care?
    IPIP has four key interventions that will lead to improved clinical outcomes for patients with diabetes and asthma: 1) Implementation of a registry system to identify patients and manage their care. 2) Provision of planned care through teamwork and flow sheets. 3) Implementation of evidence-based treatment guidelines. 4) Practice-wide adoption of self-management education and support for patients and their families. Through "hands on" education sessions and assignments, practice teams will learn how to improve the process of care.

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  3. How can the industry trained coach assist the medical practice?
    Coaches recruited for this project are experts in Six Sigma/Lean and other problem solving and process improvement methods applicable to medical practices as well as to industry. Many hospitals are hiring lean consultants and a recent AIAG pilot demonstrated the effectiveness of industry trained coaching in ambulatory settings. Each coach will choose from a multitude of resources, the specific tools and approaches best suited for to a medical practice team, as they identify and work toward their goals.

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  4. What is a patient registry?
    A registry is a general name for tools that collect, organize, and report data on patients and their care. Registry products may range in complexity from simple, free disease registry software that tracks care for one or more diseases, to population-based comprehensive care systems that can track all problems, chronic disease and preventive care for all patients; identify and call, email or produce reminder letters for patients needing care; receive data from home monitoring equipment or patients; print out individualized patient care plans and report cards and more! A registry system is essential for chronic care management and for certification as a patient centered medical home. IPIP/PCMH practice teams will not only use registries at the point of care, but they will use their registry data to improve care. Over time, in addition to good chronic disease management, there is potential for delaying or even preventing disease onset or complications.

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  5. What will be the role of the coach with the medical practice?
    The coach is truly a coach and will assist the practice team, the true experts on their own setting, to identify problem areas and to choose meaningful goals in the arenas of efficiency and improving patient care processes. The coach will guide the team as they work toward their goals. As the practice becomes more efficient, freed up time and resources can be directed toward enhancing patient care.

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  6. Can a practice participate in IPIP/PCMH if it does not have a registry?
    Tracking care is an essential component of IPIP/PCMH. In some circumstances practices may be enrolled and assisted with registry implementation. Contact Rose Steiner for more information at rsteiner@aiag.org.

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  7. What if a practice has an electronic medical record system? Can that substitute for a registry?
    Maybe. There are a lot of different EMR systems with varying features. Contact Rose Steiner for more information at rsteiner@aiag.org.

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  8. How does the Patient-Centered Medical Home related to IPIP?
    There is good synergy between IPIP and the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). Practices interested in working toward PCMH recognition can meet standards for levels 1 and 2 of the National Committee for Quality Assurance through participation in IPIP. In addition, the MPCC is working as a group to further advance the Medical Home concept as well. Therefore, practices participating in IPIP would be able to move beyond the current IPIP process and advance further toward Medical Home certification.

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