Administrative Memos

200301

FROM: Theodore O. Will, Chief Executive Officer
DATE: Jan 06, 2003
SUBJECT: Nursing Home Quality Initiative-Intensive Group Interest Form
IPRO CONTACTS:

Pauline Kinney, RN, M.A, L.N.H.A, Director, NHQI, ext. 402
Patricia Gagliano, MD, Clinical Coordinator, NHQI, ext. 547

IPRO's quality improvement activities for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Quality Initiative consists of both a statewide and intensive select group effort. As part of the statewide initiative IPRO has sponsored educational events, conducted public outreach seminars, and will provide nursing homes throughout the state with clinical materials and technical assistance.

The process of selecting the intensive group commences with nursing facilities showing interest and volunteering to participate in the initiative. From this group IPRO will select approximately 100 facilities statewide to work closely with on quality improvement programs pertaining to chosen quality measures. IPRO, with the assistance of a steering committee comprised of major stakeholders chose to focus on the following four measures:

Percentage of residents with pain
Percentage of short stay residents with pain
Percentage of residents with pressure sores
Percentage of residents in physical restraints

Facilities who are members of the intensive select group will be able to choose the quality measure they would like to concentrate on.

In preparation for recruitment, during the fall NHQI conferences, IPRO submitted "interest" forms to nursing homes, and many of you returned the form with affirmative responses. Prior to committing to the project we think it is important to review some additional information. Attached is an added interest form that outlines the quality measures IPRO chose to work with, expectations of nursing homes participating in the nursing home quality initiative, and some brief questions related to your particular quality improvement need/interest. Please note, participation in the quality initiative program is voluntary and completion of the "interest" form is a preliminary step toward the final selection process and does not either assign nor secure participation.

Please review the NHQI materials and return the interest form (3 pages) by close of business January 17, 2003, via mail, fax.

We feel it will be a rewarding and exciting experience for facilities to be among the first in the state to join such an effort. We look forward to working with you throughout the initiative. Should you have any questions regarding this memorandum or would like additional information, please feel free to contact Pauline Kinney at (516) 326-7767, extension 402.