CMSHealthDisparities

QIOs working in either of two components, reduction of Pressure Ulcers or reduction in use of physical restraints in nursing homes, are required to conduct a study of disparities among that State’s nursing home population. Reports addressing health care disparities will reflect consideration of factors and issues unique to each QIO’s nursing home population and will include approaches for correcting these disparities and tracking related progress. Click Here for More Information.

Practices enrolled with a QIO to improve rates of mammography and colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings and influenza and pneumococcal immunizations, must have already implemented Electronic Health Records (EHRs) certified by a certifying body recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Collaborating practices work with their QIOs to implement care management processes, using their certified EHRs that focus on breast cancer and CRC screening and influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Click Here for More Information.

This Task focuses on improving coordination across the continuum of care. In particular, QIOs will promote seamless transitions from the hospital to home, skilled nursing care, or home health care for all beneficiaries. QIOs will work to reduce unnecessary re-admissions to hospitals that may increase risk or harm to patients and/or cost to the Medicare Program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will expect QIOs to implement projects that affect process improvements to address issues in medication management, post-discharge follow-up, and plans-of-care for patients who move across health care settings. Click Here for More Information.

For example, individual patient complaints and provider medical record reviews are important starting points for analysis of quality improvement needs among providers. QIOs are increasing their efforts to link case review activities to improvements in the quality of care, by developing QIAs focused on system-wide changes aimed at helping providers correct these problems. QIOs also collaborate with CMS contractors to ensure that all available data are considered and to maximize opportunities for quality improvement. Click Here for More Information.