A cadre of experts in quality improvement, evidence-based practice, survey and sampling methodologies, collection of race and ethnicity data, and other areas are working with a team from each site to utilize quality improvement methods to improve care for minority patients with cardiovascular disease. Additionally, each site is being assessed in terms of its readiness for change, is creating a Cardiovascular Improvement Plan to guide its quality improvement activities, and creating a work plan to guide their Community Demonstration projects.

Sites have received training in and use uniform methods to collect and submit standardized race and ethnicity specific data on a select uniform set of metrics. Surveys of patient experiences are being collected and analyzed for the sites' use and for evaluation purposes. The data is charting sites' progress and allowing for quality improvement interventions using Rapid Cycle Change techniques.

David W. Baker, MD, MPH Senior Advisor Deborah Bohr, MPH Senior Advisor Kim Eagle, MD, FACC Senior Advisor Shawn Foster Senior Advisor

Romana Hasnain-Wynia, PhD Senior Advisor Cecelia Montoye, RN, MSN, CPHQ Senior Advisor Debbie Pierce Senior Advisor Ann Scheck McAlearney, ScD, MS Senior Advisor Victor Villagra, MD, FACP Senior Advisor