our part :: quality care.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Quality-in-Sights Hospital Incentive Program in Virginia rewards hospitals for improvements in patient safety, patient health and patient satisfaction. The 16 hospitals that participated in the first year of Q-HIP in 2004 are receiving a total of $6 million for actively working to implement nationally recognized care and safety practices that can save lives. Q-HIP hospitals performed above the national average on key measures. In 2005, 45 Virginia hospitals, which account for 75 percent of Anthem member admissions in the state, participate in Q-HIP.

John E. Brush, Jr., M.D. (pictured in his office) chairs the American College of Cardiology Virginia Quality Leadership Council, and he helped develop the cardiac measures in the Q-HIP program. Dr. Brush practices at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, which was among the first participants in Q-HIP.