FROM: Theodore O. Will, Chief Executive Officer
DATE: Apr 19, 2001
SUBJECT: Medicare National Pneumonia Project 2001 Interim Data Report
IPRO CONTACTS:
Alan Silver, M.D., M.P.H., Clinical Coordinator, ext 634
Mary Rojas, Ph.D., Sr. Director, Data Analysis/Epidemiology, ext 445
Sara Butterfield, R.N., B.S.N., Asst. Director, Imp. Strategies, 1-800-233-0360
Enclosed please find the second in a series of Interim Reports on the National Pneumonia Project. This important quality initiative focuses on improving the processes of care management to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with community-acquired pneumonia in Medicare beneficiaries. In this report, several samples and time frames are compared, the findings for the first quarter of the year 2000 are:
Although rates increased from 1998 and 1999, there is clearly more room for improvement. The Interim Report is based on Medicare and Medicaid discharges. Included with the report are supplemental materials: Zynx Health "Evidence Alert" and the Crain's New York Business issue on pneumonia. Multiple sets are enclosed to facilitate their distribution. Each of the 61 high volume hospitals will also find their specific data enclosed.
We appreciate your feedback on the tools and information we have provided you in the past. The positive review has been overwhelming. Our reports and tools can be downloaded from our website at www.ipro.org. If you have any additional suggestions on how we can help you towards achieving improved process of care management, do not hesitate to let us know.
Please be advised that HCFA's remeasurement of the project indicators will be based upon data abstraction of Medicare pneumonia medical records from July through December 2000. We suggest you review these medical records for completeness and inclusion of all pertinent forms and information prior to submission for review.
Should you have any questions about the enclosed report or the National Pneumonia Project, please feel free to call one of the above listed contacts.