Coteau des Prairies Healthcare System: Engaging Patients and Staff on their Road to Value-Based Care

Coteau des Prairies Health Care System (CDP Health Care), a 25-bed, nonprofit, critical access hospital located in Sisseton, South Dakota, was one of three organizations selected to participate in the 2021-2022 Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project (RHPTP).

During their year-long engagement in RHPTP, CDP Health Care worked with RHPTP’s technical assistance consultants on financial and operational improvements, and to develop a strategy and infrastructure to embed quality improvement into practice. Below are some of CDP Health Care's top accomplishments and early outcomes made possible through their RHPTP participation.

• Implemented mental and behavioral telehealth services with a regional partner

• Partnered with Face It Together, a peer support group offered via telehealth that provides confidential and tailored coaching for those impacted by addiction 

• Implemented Compass Care, a medication addiction treatment program providing medical care to patients with substance use disorder via telehealth

• Integrated Patient-Centered Medical Home activities, including using a patient-centered approach to set health goals and care plans, in addition to addressing care gaps 

• Implemented annual training and learning videos across several departments that focus on team communication and leadership involvement regarding quality improvement

• Implemented leadership rounding to identify quality measures in each department, which additionally has improved quality awareness, communication, and staff recognition 

• Posting quality data on hospital bulletin board to create staff awareness and buy-in

• Developed and implemented a staff engagement survey which helped identify various areas of development

• Revived their Belongings Committee, a multi-department workgroup organizing employee events and activities that strive to engage staff and create a positive workplace culture 

CDP Health Care has served South Dakota since 1967, providing health care for approximately 21,000 residents. The health system offers family medicine, women’s health, addiction treatment, home health, a swing bed program, therapy services, radiology, nutrition services, emergency services, telehealth, and a fitness center. Additionally, CDP Health Care oversees Tekakwitha Living Center, a long-term care facility offering post-hospital nursing and rehabilitation support. CDP Health Care previously participated in the Small Rural Hospital Transitions Project (SRHT) and currently participates in the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP). Quality improvement was top of mind for CDP Health Care leaders as they move towards building a strong foundation that will naturally lead to patient experience and safety improvements.  

Moving forward, Coteau des Prairies Health System will continue its progress toward quality improvement, in addition to the following goals:  

• Recruit additional staff including two primary care providers and a General Surgeon in the next 2 years 
• Increase access to primary care and mental/behavioral services
• Research opportunities for Patient-Centered Medical Home services
• Continue to provide staff education around areas such as culture, teamwork, and leadership
• Address staff housing barriers for those who live in the community 
• Implement a staff quality improvement communication initiative 

CDP Health Care identifies one of its many strengths as a willingness to change to a model that is mutually beneficial for the ongoing health and wellness of the community. We are delighted CDP Health Care chose to continue its progress via the Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project, to further strengthen its organizational foundation to best position the organization to be an effective participant in a health system focused on value. We look forward to seeing their continued growth and are proud of their progress toward value-based care.