Shaping National Quality Improvement ACC's IC3 Program The ACC has introduced a new program that will improve the way we practice cardiology called the IC3Program®. This program is designed to help you thrive in a performance-based health care system. IC3stands for “Improving Continuous Cardiac Care,” which is something we all strive for in our daily practice. Maybe you’ve heard about it. Now, we are asking you to become a part of it. The IC3 Program is designed to prepare clinicians to thrive in an outcomes-based reimbursement environment through the systematic practice, assessment and improvement of quality. The IC3 Program makes it easier to apply the most current evidence-based care to your patients every time. The program is adaptable and right-sized for your practice with QI tools for all your team members, options for data collection that match your practice’s readiness, and decision support at the point of care delivery. In addition, if you choose the optional registry component, you can use your data within your practice for internal QI and feedback to team members, and confidential benchmarking to other practices. You may also choose to submit data to external sources for pay-for-performance or PQRI participation in 2009. There is no cost to your practice to participate in the IC3 Program due to generous sponsorship by the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership. Participation is open to practices caring for patients with cardiovascular disease, including internal medicine, family practice, and multispecialty groups. To view a Power Point Presentation on the program click here. The one-page IC3 Program Participant Agreement can be completed by any member of your office staff who will then become the primary contact for all correspondence. To preview the agreement click here. For practices ready to begin data collection, you’ll need to complete a registry contract in order to preserve protected health information (HIPAA). For more information and to receive a copy of the full registry contract, please contact ACCF at 800-257-4737. The IC3 Program is designed to assist your practice in consistently performing at the high level you seek and to prepare you for reimbursement and recognition models that are based on that performance. You may access information by href="http://www.improvingcardiaccare.org">clicking here. to learn more about the program. Once you sign your Participant Agreement, the program staff will contact you to let you know about the resources and tools coming your way. I am also attaching a copy of a PowerPoint presentation you might find helpful as well as a sample Data Collection Form for the optional benchmarking program.