The latest quality results demonstrate meaningful progress from our quality improvement efforts over the past year. Thanks to member dedication, thousands of patients across Wisconsin are experiencing better health outcomes. Here’s a look at what members have accomplished—and where we can work together to do even more. 

Highlights Of This Reporting Period

Diabetes Care

For the second consecutive reporting period, diabetes care was the strongest area of improvement.

• More than 5,000 additional patients now have their diabetes under control, building on top of a 4,500 increase from the previous reporting period.
• Diabetes CKD Care: first publicly reported last reporting period, continues to show strong progress. In just 6 months testing reached more than 1,500 additional patients, helping identify chronic kidney disease earlier when intervention has the greatest impact.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

When screening eligibility expanded in 2023 to include adults ages 45-49 years, the eligible population increased by nearly 20%.

• In just two years, screening rates have recovered to pre-eligibility-expansion levels.  
• More than 3,000 additional patients received recommended colorectal cancer screening.

Adolescent Immunizations

For the second consecutive reporting period, on-time adolescent immunization rates increased.  

• Nearly 400 additional adolescents completed their recommended immunization series.

Behavioral Health

Behavioral health measurement continues to grow across the collaborative.  

• Depression Remission/Response: Two additional members are now reporting these measures for both adults and adolescents, expanding statewide behavioral health measurement and providing more meaningful opportunities for shared learning.

Tobacco-Free Status

Following declines observed during the previous reporting period, tobacco-free status rebounded.  

• Nearly 5,500 more patients with diabetes reported being tobacco free.
• More than 800 additional patients with heart disease reported being tobacco free.

Opportunities for Continued Improvement 

While these results demonstrate meaningful progress, they also highlight areas where working together can accelerate improvement.

• Immunizations: HPV and adult pneumococcal vaccination have begun to stabilize, while on time completion of childhood immunization series remains an opportunity.
• Diabetes A1c Testing: Although overall diabetes outcomes continue to improve, A1c declined by nearly a full percentage point. Encouragingly, fewer patients are going without any testing at all with an opportunity to ensure patients receive two tests a year to keep them in control of their diabetes.
• Cervical Cancer Screening: Unlike other cancer screening measures, cervical cancer screening has continued a gradual decline since 2020. Sharing strategies that have been successful for colorectal and breast cancer screening may help reverse this trend.

Beyond the Statewide Average: A Closer Look at Disparities

Examining results by patient population helps identify where additional focus can have the greatest impact.

Race/Ethnicity

• Black/African American populations experience the largest gaps in care. Across 14 of 31 measures, performance is 10 or more percentage points below the highest performing racial or ethnic group.

Geography

• Urban communities: Seven measures show gaps greater than 10 percentage points compared to the top-performing group for people living in areas designated as underserved.
• Rural communities: HPV vaccinations and tobacco-free status among patients with heart disease remain key opportunities. Underserved rural communities have significant opportunities to improve childhood immunizations and well-child visits.

Share Your Success Stories 

The greatest value of this collaborative is not simply measuring performance—it's learning from organizations that are achieving strong results and sharing those strategies across Wisconsin.

If your team has implemented an approach that has led to measurable improvement, we'd love to hear about it. Your experience may help another organization achieve similar success and improve care for patients across the state.

If you have questions or want to share your strategies, please reach out to Lauren Bednarz at lbednarz@wchq.org. 

Thank you for your commitment to quality care. Together, we’re making Wisconsin healthier—one patient at a time.