FROM: Theodore O. Will, Chief Executive Officer
DATE: Jun 29, 2006
SUBJECT: Setting Targets - Achieving Results Webex Session
IPRO CONTACTS:
Sara Butterfield, RN, BSN, CPHQ, CCM, Upstate Director, HCQIP (800) 233-0360 Ext. 104
IPRO remains committed to providing ongoing support to your agency as part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sponsored 8th Scope of Work Home Health Quality Initiative.
As discussed at the IPRO Acute Care Hospitalization (ACH) Plan of Action Workshops, setting internal agency target goals allows providers to shape their vision about high quality health care. It is a vital part of launching and sustaining quality measure performance improvement initiatives.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed the Setting Targets - Achieving Results (STAR) website for home health providers to utilize for review of benchmark comparison data to set improvement targets for acute care hospitalization and their second quality measure chosen for Plan of Action focus. The website has many helpful features, including trend graphs of agency progress and comparison to state and national averages. To facilitate target setting, IPRO staff will work with all New York State home health providers to use the STAR website to establish target goals.
We invite you to participate in an educational Webex presentation hosted by IPRO entitled Home Health STAR Overview. The Webex presentation will be offered on July 18, 2006 from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM and on July 19, 2006 from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM. Two call times are available for participants, and both sessions will include the identical training materials. This training session will provide an overview of the STAR website and equip agencies in the use of this valuable tool. There is no cost to your agency for participation. Enclosed please find instructions on registration to the MedQIC website, the process for access to the STAR website and the two agency specific passwords that you will need to log-in to this system.
If you are interested in participating, please complete and forward the attached fax-back Registration Form to the attention of Sara Butterfield at (518) 426-3418 by July 17, 2006. The reference materials and instructions for Webex access will be forwarded to you via email upon receipt of your registration. The call will be also be taped with a link posted to our website for future access.
If you have questions regarding this memorandum or would like additional information, please contact Sara Butterfield at 1-800-233-0360 Ext. 104. We appreciate your commitment to improving the quality of care delivered by your agency and look forward to continued collaboration on this important initiative!