The West Virginia Medical Institute (WVMI) is the federally designated Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for West Virginia. WVMI's vision is to work with West Virginia's healthcare providers, consumers and key partners to foster an environment in which every patient receives the right care every time and where care is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable. 

          WVMI's partnership with the West Virginina Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (WV DPCP) is a key component to improved care for people with diabetes in West Virginia. WVMI is committed to supporting the WV DPCP's strategic efforts in the areas of surveillance/data systems, access, education, health promotion and partnership/collaboration. 

          This partnership involves sharing resources, information and lessons learned from the QIO program. Most importantly, it involves educating people with diabetes. Over the past several years WVMI and the WV DPCP have conducted a media campaign encouraging people with diabetes to get important tests and exams such as HbA1c and dilated eye exams. WVMI and the WV DPCP also encourage people with diabetes to get influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. Education has involved production of television and radio announcements that have aired throughout West Virginia through a partnership with the West Virginia Broadcasters Assocation. 

          WVMI has also routinely distributed information through its statewide publications "Quality Time" and "Lifeline, the Senior Health Magazine".  Broadcast reports and survey data indicate this campaign has been successful in the goal of presenting physicians with more informed patients, more willing to change behavior. 

View WVMI's presentation from the CDC Division of Diabetes Translation Conference, May 2007