The Institute for Clinical Systems Integration (as it was originally called) was established in 1993 by HealthPartners, Mayo Clinic and Park Nicollet Health Services, and sponsored by HealthPartners. Its purpose was to help improve patient care in Minnesota through collaboration and innovations in evidence-based medicine. The collaborative was unique in that it brought medical organizations, health plans and business representatives into the decision-making process.

ICSI initially brought leading medical experts together to rigorously develop best practice health care guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of numerous diseases and health conditions. The development of evidence-based health care guidelines remains a central component of ICSI’s activities.

In 1997, the organization changed its name to the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement to reflect its new focus on accelerating improvement in the value and quality of health care delivered. ICSI began action groups to provide its members with assistance for quality improvement through educational and collaborative activities.

ICSI expanded greatly in 2001 when Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Medica, PreferredOne, and UCare Minnesota became sponsors. Provider membership climbed to more than 30 medical groups. Due to ICSI, Minnesota became the first state in the nation where medical care was built around the systematic use of science-based best medical practices developed by physicians and sponsored by major health plans.

With statewide reach, ICSI tackled major health issues like diabetes across all member organizations. It broadened its support for improvement to address member organizational infrastructure and culture.

In 2007 ICSI embarked on a new strategic plan to target system-wide issues that require broad participation by care delivery systems, health plans, employees and consumers. An example is the new DIAMOND (Depression Improvement Across Minnesota, Offering a New Direction) initiative. It required medical groups and health plans to collaboratively develop new care practice and payment models in order to provide superior care for patients with depression in the primary care setting. Another initiative on high-tech diagnostic imaging is expected to save more than 20 lives and $50 million in health care costs in Minnesota in 2010.

ICSI today is comprised of 56 medical groups representing about 85% of Minnesota physicians. Sponsorship support has expanded beyond Minnesota with the addition of Security Health Plan of Wisconsin. Its health care guidelines are widely recognized as the standard of practice in Minnesota and beyond. ICSI’s collaborative work has become the model for other U.S. regional care improvement collaboratives. ICSI’s success has positioned the organization to help lead health care system transformation in Minnesota.

Updated 11/16/2009