iMPROve Health: A National Force for Health Care Quality Improvement

As a new member of Civitas Networks for Health, iMPROve Health is bringing expertise and passion for health care quality improvement to our growing national network. With a history of pioneering innovative health care solutions and a commitment to advancing patient safety and care outcomes in Michigan, iMPROve Health is a valuable addition to Civitas’ collaborative community.

Understanding iMPROve Health’s Expertise and Capabilities

iMPROve Health – formerly known as MPRO – has been a leader in Michigan’s health care quality improvement landscape for over 40 years. The organization’s work centers around two key areas:

• Prospective provider education on best practices
• Retrospective reviews to ensure the highest quality and safety standards in health care delivery

iMPROve Health’s mission is to tackle complex health care challenges through a mix of data-driven solutions, education, and quality improvement initiatives. From improving immunization rates to reducing the overuse of antipsychotic medications, iMPROve Health’s efforts aim to enhance patient safety and drive positive change across the health care continuum – and yes, this spans far beyond Michigan’s borders!

One of the organization’s notable contributions is its role as a CMS-certified Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) entity for the No Surprises Act. Through this work, their team helps protect patients from unexpected medical bills while navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

Meet Dr. Leland Babitch – President & CEO of iMPROve Health

At the helm of iMPROve Health is Dr. Leland Babitch, a pediatrician by training with over 20 years of experience in health care leadership.

Dr. Babitch joined iMPROve Health in 2016 as President & CEO, where he has led the organization through a period of growth and transformation. With a background that spans clinical practice, health informatics, and administrative leadership, Dr. Babitch’s unique expertise allows him to approach health care quality improvement from a slightly different viewpoint – he incorporates both a strategic and a patient-centered perspective in every decision he supports for the organization, ensuring he’s leading with both head and heart.

Beyond his role as CEO, Dr. Babitch continues to practice pediatrics half a day each week at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, ensuring that he stays closely connected to the day-to-day realities faced by clinicians and patients alike. His passion for quality improvement is deeply rooted in his commitment to creating safer, more effective health care systems that benefit both providers and patients.

"I’m incredibly proud of the talented and dedicated team we have at iMPROve Health. Their unwavering commitment to driving quality improvement and patient safety in health care is truly inspiring. We’re excited to join Civitas Networks for Health and connect with a broader network of organizations that share our passion for making a positive impact. By collaborating with other industry leaders through Civitas, we can expand our reach, share insights and learnings, and work together to advance health equity and excellence across the country.” – Dr. Leland Babitch

Showcasing Value: Reducing Lung Cancer Mortality Through Early Detection

One standout example of iMPROve Health’s work in quality improvement is their initiative to reduce lung cancer mortality rates through early detection and provider education.

As lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in Michigan, iMPROve Health launched a series of programs to support health care teams in promoting and improving lung cancer screening efforts. This initiative included live and on-demand learning sessions, interactive eLearning modules, and a virtual ECHO series that covered everything from screening criteria to health disparities and patient engagement.

The results speak for themselves: in the last four years, 146 participants attended live virtual learning sessions, the on-demand webinar has been viewed 233 times, and 80% of participants in the ECHO series indicated that they would “probably” or “definitely use” the information learned in their work.

This program has helped educate care teams while also creating a collaborative environment where providers could share their experiences and learn from each other.

Reflecting on the Governor’s Award of Excellence: A Celebration of Impact

On September 12, 2024, iMPROve Health celebrated the achievements of Michigan health care providers by hosting the Governor’s Award of Excellence. The event was held at the Eagle Eye Golf & Banquet Center in Bath Township, Michigan, and was supported by the Michigan Health and Hospital (MHA) Keystone Center. The event honored over 175 physician groups, nursing homes, and hospitals for their outstanding efforts in quality improvement, with initiatives achieving an average 74.9% Relative Improvement Rate from baseline across the multiple measures.

Celebration and pride were palpable at the event as health care leaders and professionals came together to reflect on their shared successes in advancing patient safety and reducing harm. In his opening remarks, Dr. Babitch highlighted the collective power of these organizations to create meaningful change and emphasized that the work of quality improvement is never done.

A standout moment of the day was the keynote address from Dr. Renée Branch Canady, CEO of the Michigan Public Health Institute and author of “Room at the Table: A Leader’s Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice.” Dr. Canady challenged attendees to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible by centering equity and justice in their quality improvement efforts. Her message underscored the need for every health care leader to become an advocate for positive change within their communities.

Driving Impact Through Long-Standing Partnerships

For iMPROve Health, the Governor’s Award of Excellence represents the culmination of collaborative efforts to improve care quality and patient outcomes across Michigan and beyond. Working in partnership with organizations like the MHA Keystone Center, iMPROve Health has supported local health care providers in adopting best practices and achieving excellence in areas including:

• Infection control
• Fall prevention
• Reducing health care-associated conditions

Through these partnerships, iMPROve Health has helped raise the bar for care in Michigan and created a network of committed health care professionals dedicated to continuous improvement and patient safety.

For anyone interested in learning more about next year’s Governor’s Award of Excellence ceremony, please get in touch with the iMPROve Health team.

How iMPROve Health is Leveraging New Technologies for Growth

As the health care landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, iMPROve Health is embracing new technologies and innovative approaches to enhance its service offerings. Currently, the organization is focusing on integrating artificial intelligence and language process automation to streamline operations and enable more efficient data analysis.

By harnessing the power of these technologies, the organization aims to reduce the manual burden on its teams and free up resources to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality care and support to health care providers and patients.

Rather than shying away from new technology, the organization's commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends ensures that it will continue to be a leader in health care quality improvement for years to come.

Why iMPROve Health Joined Forces with Civitas Networks for Health

iMPROve Health’s decision to join Civitas Networks for Health stems from a shared commitment to collaboration and community. To kick off the organization’s new membership, iMPROve Health served as a sponsor for the 2024 Civitas Networks for Health Annual Conference, which was held in Detroit this year, the organization’s own backyard. At the conference, the iMPROve Health team enjoyed the opportunity to deepen its engagement with like-minded organizations across the country.

By connecting and sharing best practices, iMPROve Health hopes to contribute to Civitas’ mission of bridging data and practice to improve health outcomes nationwide.

iMPROve Health’s Vision for the Future

With a strong foundation and a forward-looking mindset, iMPROve Health is poised to continue making a difference in health care quality improvement. By championing new partnerships, their vision for the future is centered on leveraging cutting-edge technologies and staying true to their core mission of helping health care get better one step at a time.

To learn more about iMPROve Health, visit the website.

by kmatheson