MN Physician Groups Rated by Consumer Reports

The charts, which use data that Minnesota law requires physicians to report to a Minnesota agency, looked at what percentage of each practice's patients achieved certain quality thresholds. For diabetes, for example, a clinic received a high score of "5" if 50% or more of its patients in treatment had achieved an A1c blood glucose control level of less than 8, and had high scores in four other measures.

Other data reflect the percentage of a practice's patients with either diabetes or heart disease who have blood pressure levels of 140 over 90 or better, take a daily low-dose aspirin, have an LDL cholesterol count below 100 milligrams per deciliter, and who don't smoke.

Thirty-seven practices earned Consumer's Reports highest rating of "5" in measures of care for both diseases. Of those, 11 are in the Park Nicollet group, eight in the Allina Medical group and six in the Entira Family Clinics.

Sixty-six practices received the lowest score of "1" for diabetes care measures, 50 got a "1" for cardiovascular care and 24 received the low score for both conditions.

Some 4,440 adult primary care physicians, including endocrinologists, geriatricians, and cardiologists practicing in solo or group practices or clinics were included.