Michigan Community Hospitals Improving Equity for Children
Research and improvement are the processes; quality care for all is the outcome
Welcome to Michigan Community Hospitals Improving Equity for Children (Mi-CHIME)!
Mi-CHIME is a quality collaborative of three community hospitals in Michigan: MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw, and Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and formed with assistance from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Mi-CHIME is designed to engage these hospitals in identifying and measuring any pediatric health inequities that might exist within the organizations. Mi-CHIME facilitates the sharing of topics for investigation, research methods, data, and quality improvement strategies across the member hospitals to support this process. If the presence of a health inequity is verified through a rigorous process, Mi-CHIME will work in a collaborative fashion across the hospitals to develop and implement specific quality improvement interventions.
How we define health inequity
To establish the scope of work for Mi-CHIME, we use a specific definition of health inequity: Differences in clinical treatment or patient/family experiences related to characteristics such as ability status, language, rurality, weight status, income gradient, race, ethnicity, sex, and more. We define health inequities as generally inside the control of healthcare systems or individual providers.
How we are funded
We are funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, a philanthropic foundation that works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents while reducing healthcare costs. The Health Fund supports organizations across Michigan, from grassroots groups addressing local health challenges to large agencies working in every county.
