Administrative Memos

200502

FROM: Theodore O. Will, Chief Executive Officer
DATE: May 18, 2005
SUBJECT: Home Health Quality Initiative Conference Calls
IPRO CONTACTS:

Sara Butterfield, RN, BSN, CPHQ, CCM, Upstate Director, HCQIP (800) 233-0360 Ext. 104

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently released the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) 8th Scope of Work (8th SOW) that will begin August 1, 2005. In the 8th SOW, CMS has directed QIOs to collaborate with providers to enable the delivery of quality healthcare with the goals of safety, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, patient-centeredness and equity. In support of this three-year initiative, IPRO will work to assist providers in:

• Measuring and reporting quality
• Producing and utilizing electronic clinical information
• Redesigning care processes
• Transforming organizational culture to accelerate the rate of quality improvement and broaden its impact

IPRO will be offering informational conference call sessions to provide further detail regarding the Home Health Quality Initiatives outlined in the 8th SOW for Medicare-certified home health agencies. The purpose of the conference call is to address the most current information on the initiative and the next steps to focus on for continuation of the OBQI process within your agency.

We invite you to participate on one of the following conference calls hosted by IPRO:

If you are interested in participating in the conference call, please complete and forward the attached fax-back form to the attention of Sara Butterfield at (518) 426-3418 by May 31, 2005.

If you have questions regarding this memorandum or would like additional information, please contact Sara Butterfield at 1-800-233-0360 Ext. 104 or Christine Stegel at Ext. 113.

We look forward to continued collaboration with you on this valuable initiative!