Western New Yorks health care system ranked in the top 20 percent 54th out of 306 regions studied in a national ranking for access to health care, prevention and treatment, according to a new study.

The Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit that studies health care issues, cited the region for being a strong performer despite the disadvantages of a weak economy and poverty.

The organization examined 42 indicators to determine the rankings, including immunization rates, health insurance coverage, avoidable hospital admissions, cancer-related deaths and safer prescribing processes for medications.

There is a strong correlation between poverty and poor performance in this ranking. We are a poor region but landed in the top quartile. That is noteworthy, said Dr. Michael W. Cropp, CEO of Independent Health.

Were a community with limited resources that is finding ways to create more value in health care, Cropp said.

Three findings stood out. The Buffalo area, compared to other parts of the United States, has succeeded at developing partnerships among nonprofit health plans and physicians to improve quality. Also, a regional electronic health information exchange shares clinical and administrative data. The Commonwealth Fund also pointed out cooperative community health organizations such as the P2 Collaborative of Western New York.

The report noted efforts by some physician groups to work with insurers and hospitals to improve care, highlighting the Buffalo Medical Group, a large private practice, and Catholic Medical Partners, the organization that represents the 900 physicians affiliated with the Catholic Health System.

The doctors in Catholic Medical Partners have collectively hired more than 240 care coordinators to help manage patients with chronic diseases, according to the report. In addition, a team of registered dieticians offers nutrition education. And the practice association also employs performance incentives to promote the use of electronic medical records.

As a result of these and other measures, the percentage of diabetic patients whose condition was under control increased to 32.2 percent, from 13.9 percent, over a three-year period, and hospital readmissions declined significantly, the researchers said.

The Commonwealth Fund also lauded efforts to develop community organizations to foster collaboration among health care providers, patients, payers and others.

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Collaboration elevates WNY to top 20% in national health care ranking