IPRO serves as the Medicare-designated Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for New York State. On March 24, 2006 IPRO received CMS approval under the 8th Scope of Work to initiate and complete an extensive quality improvement project that will enhance the care provided to beneficiaries and guide the development and implementation of additional quality improvement efforts relating to the Prescription Drug Benefit.
This project seeks to reduce the prevalence of prescribing to seniors potentially inappropriate drugs with anticholinergic properties. These drugs are of questionable clinical value, and frequently contribute to side effects in the elderly. Increasing the use of more appropriate agents has the potential to improve patient outcomes and to reduce overall health expenditures.