The Bree Collaborative rewards organizations that remove processes out of the abstract into real-life implementation, through clinical practice, health care contracting, policymaking, educational programs, and more. Implementation was measured by a series of checklists that were sent to subject matter experts throughout each health care organization.
Kaiser Permanente Washington was recognized in the following categories: Addiction and Dependence Treatment, LGBTQ Care, Telehealth, Palliative Care, Obstetrics, Reproductive and Sexual Health, Oncology, Primary Care, Prostate Cancer Screening, Behavioral Health Integration, Suicide Care, Psychotropics, Potentially Avoidable Readmissions, End-of-Life Planning, Outpatient Infection Control, Colorectal Cancer Screening, and Cervical Cancer Screening.
“This award helps both patients and health care purchasers identify organizations that provide care based on current, collaboratively developed, evidence-based best practices,” said Emily Transue, MD, chair of Bree Collaborative. “Kaiser Permanente has been instrumental in helping other organizations understand this work and how to implement it. By providing a unique example of truly integrated care, it is able to overcome many barriers that challenge other systems.”
“We are honored to be among the first recipients of Bree Collaborative’s Trailblazer Award,” said Colin Fields, MD, quality medical program director at Kaiser Permanente Washington. “Being recognized in so many categories is a testament to the level of quality care patients receive at Kaiser Permanente. This is truly an acknowledgment of our collective work and a tribute to the efforts of leadership, staff, and clinicians across the organization.”
“Our aim is to be the health provider of choice for all of our members. This Bree Collaborative recognition highlights that we are excelling in several areas, including the intentional focus on equity, inclusion, and diversity, which is essential to all that we do at Kaiser Permanente Washington. We are committed to continually improving our care practices and outcomes,” said Linda Tolbert, MD, executive medical director of Washington Permanente Medical Group.
All health systems that offer services to the Public Employees Benefits Board and the State Employees Benefits Board participate in the Bree Collaborative. The organization was established by the Washington State Legislature in 2011 to give public and private health care stakeholders the opportunity to identify specific ways to improve health care quality, outcomes, and affordability in Washington state.