June 2025
June President's Report
Why WCHQ Publicly Reports Healthcare Quality Measures
At WCHQ, we believe that transparency is the cornerstone of improvement. Since 2004, we have been committed to publicly reporting healthcare quality measures, driven by the conviction that sharing results openly will foster an environment of continuous enhancement. Our mission is founded on the idea that when performance data are accessible to all, it creates an opportunity for healthcare organizations to learn, adapt, and excel.
One of the most remarkable outcomes of this transparent approach is the identification of top performers in various healthcare quality measures. These exemplary organizations set benchmarks that others can strive to reach. Interestingly, it is never the same organization leading the charge across all measures. This diversity of top performers provides a rich tapestry of best practices from which every healthcare provider can draw inspiration and insights. It underscores the fact that excellence in healthcare is multi-faceted and that there is always room for growth and learning.
The public reporting initiative by WCHQ encourages a culture of accountability and excellence. When healthcare organizations know that their performance is visible, it motivates them to uphold high standards of care. This visibility not only benefits the organizations but also empowers patients, giving them the information they need to make informed choices about their healthcare providers.
WCHQ's commitment to publicly reporting healthcare quality measures plays a pivotal role in driving improvements across the healthcare landscape. By fostering transparency, highlighting top performers, and promoting accountability, we aim to elevate the quality of care for all. This continuous cycle of reporting and improvement ensures that every organization has the opportunity to learn, grow, and ultimately, deliver better patient outcomes.
WCHQ Publishes 2024 Quality Results: Improvements in Depression and Colorectal Cancer Screening, Challenges in Immunizations
WCHQ has published updated quality measure results for 2024. Measure results are available at WCHQ.org. We are currently analyzing the data; below are some trends we are already noting:
Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates Continue to Increase
WCHQ members are continuing to close the gap in colorectal cancer screening for patients aged 45-50 years old. This reporting period, the statewide screening rate for colorectal cancer increased to 76.2%. Just three reporting periods after lowering the age range to 45, WCHQ members are nearing the post-pandemic average screening rate of 77%.
Depression Screening Surpasses Previous Reporting Period Results
Depression screening has reached another all-time high, with a statewide screening rate of 86.7%. This means that an additional 18,000 patients were screened for clinical depression this reporting period.
Performance on Immunizations Measures Decreases
WCHQ members publicly report on four immunizations measures: childhood immunizations, adolescent immunizations, HPV vaccination, and adult pneumococcal vaccination. All of these measures experienced a decrease this reporting period. The state has struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels of immunization.
To address this decline in vaccinations, WCHQ is developing partnerships and projects to implement best practices and strategies to increase the uptake of routine immunizations. Most recently, WCHQ presented at the Immunize Wisconsin conference on using data to drive improvement in immunization rates. For more information on WCHQ’s immunizations improvement efforts, reach out to Abbey Harburn at aharburn@wchq.org.
As WCHQ continues to analyze trends and identify opportunities for shared learning, we invite you to share any interventions or strategies your health system has implemented to improve these measures.
For any questions relating to our quality measures, contact Lauren Bednarz, lbednarz@wchq.org.
