Administrative Memos

200322

FROM: Theodore O. Will, Chief Executive Officer
DATE: Oct 14, 2003
SUBJECT: Home Health Quality Initiative
IPRO CONTACTS:

Sara Butterfield, RN, BSN, CPHQ, CCM, Director, Upstate Healthcare Quality Improvement 1-800-233-0360 ext. 104

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has contracted with IPRO, the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for New York State, to work with home health care providers on community-based quality improvement activities and to collaborate with providers, industry stakeholders, and state government agencies in providing improved consumer information on quality measures.

The new Home Health Quality Initiative (HHQI) gives consumers the ability to access important, objective healthcare information about home health agencies' quality of care to help them make informed health care decisions. Such information will be available on www.Medicare.gov later this fall. IPRO is playing a critical role in working to improve the quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries by offering clinical and quality improvement strategies to help home health providers improve their systems of care through Outcomes-Based Quality Improvement (OBQI).

To date, IPRO has sponsored educational OBQI training sessions and informational programs throughout the state with the provision of ongoing technical assistance to facilitate provider performance improvement initiatives.

IPRO supports a quality improvement culture through innovative strategies, training, and education. Our partnership and ongoing collaboration with the State Survey and Certification Agencies (SSCA's), home health trade associations, and patient advocacy organizations will continue to be essential in achieving improved quality of care and positive outcomes throughout New York State.

If you would like additional information about the Home Health Quality Initiative, IPRO's role, or consumer brochures, please call Sara Butterfield at 1-800-233-0360 extension 104.