First Annual Meeting of the IDSRN

Accelerating the Cycle of Research Through a Network of Integrated Delivery Systems

On January 28-29, 2002, AHRQ's first national meeting of the Integrated Delivery System Research Network (IDSRN) was attended by over 50 IDSRN partners, users of their research and AHRQ staff to assess the progress of the Network to date and to determine its future direction.

Participants provided a wealth of excellent ideas regarding topics for future research and strategies to disseminate research findings. The meeting was very productive as it provided an opportunity for the IDSRN partners and users to learn more about each other in person and explore potential collaboration.

Background

In 2000, the Integrated Delivery System Research Network (IDSRN) was created to link the Nation's top researchers and some of the largest health care systems with AHRQ. Since then, the nine consortia that comprise the IDSRN have initiated 26 research projects covering a wide range of health topics including:

• Quality measurement and improvement.
• Bioterrorism.
• Information technology.
• Organization and financing.
• Disparities.

For more about the IDSRN partners and their research, access the IDSRN Fact Sheet.

Day One: January 28, 2002

The first day of the meeting began with an overview of the purpose and vision of the IDSRN, followed by presentations and discussion of several studies related to quality in health care:

• "Private Sector Data and Measures for the National Quality Report" (Eileen Peterson, UnitedHealth Group).
• "Value-Based Contracting: Understanding What's Behind the Hospital Volume-Outcome Link" (Steven Wickstrom, UnitedHealth Group).
• "Quality-Related Provisions in Health Plan-Hospital Contracts" (Janet Sutton, Project Hope).

The afternoon presentation and discussion focused on research related to preparedness for bioterrorism:

• "Integrated Delivery Systems and Clinical Preparedness for Bioterrorist Events" (Nathaniel Hupert, Weill Medical College of Cornell University).

The first day concluded with an exchange of information and ideas about the contract process to date and suggestions for improvement.

Day Two: January 29, 2002

The second day of the meeting began with two presentations and discussion of research related to information technology in health care:

• "Impact of EpicCare on the Management of Diabetes in the Geisinger Health System" (Anthony Turel, Abt Associates).
• "The Information Technology Infrastructure in Integrated Delivery Systems" (Shulamit Bernard, Research Triangle Institute).

In addition to discussion of research related to organization and financing of care, the next session included a presentation:

• "The Effects of Financial Incentives in Medical Group Practices and the Work Environment on the Quality of Care" (John Kralewski, University of Minnesota).

During a working lunch, participants had a very productive exchange of ideas about future topics that the IDSRN is particularly well-suited to address, cofunding opportunities, and dissemination strategies for study findings.

The afternoon session focused on three presentations and a discussion of research related to disparities in health care:

• "Model Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Service (CLAS) Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Projects (QAPI) for Medicare+Choice Organizations" (Maggie Gunter, Lovelace Clinic Foundation).
• "Capacity to Conduct Studies on the Impact of Race/Ethnicity on the Access, Use, and Outcomes of Care" (Sheri Eisert, Denver Health).
• "Capacity to Conduct Studies on the Impact of Race/Ethnicity on the Access, Use, and Outcomes of Care" (Tracy Scott, Emory).

The meeting concluded with a wrapup of the proceedings and future steps for the IDSRN.

Current as of March 2002

Internet Citation:

First Annual Meeting of the IDSRN. March 2002. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/about/cods/idsrnmeet.htm

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