The American Health Quality Association
The American Health Quality Association (AHQA) is the national membership
organization representing the national network of Quality Improvement Organizations
(QIOs) and professionals dedicated to improving health care delivery and
patient safety.
QIOs provide integrated expertise in clinical care, quality improvement,
health information management, statistical analysis, and communications to
health care purchasers and providers. Thousands of practicing physicians
support the work of QIOs by providing organizational leadership and clinical
expertise.
QIOs and individual AHQA members collaborate with medical practices, hospitals,
health plans, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and employers
to evaluate health care delivery patterns, identify opportunities for improvement,
and share best practices.
AHQA members are active not only in major urban centers, but also in rural
settings, and in the improvement of care for disadvantaged groups and ethnic
minorities. AHQA members develop and conduct projects in quality improvement
and evaluation for Medicare, Medicaid, and private payers and purchasers.
Quality projects
in hospitals often focus on high impact areas such as improving treatment
systems for heart disease, heart attacks, and pneumonia—as
well as preventing surgical site infections. In outpatient settings, quality
improvement projects often promote better treatment for diabetes and higher
rates of flu and pneumonia immunization and cancer screening. Quality projects
in nursing homes target prevention and treatment of bed sores, pain management,
rehabilitation services, and other services related to quality of care.
In addition, QIOs conduct external reviews in response to appeals and grievances
filed by Medicare beneficiaries and Medicaid recipients. They also contract
privately with large employers to provide independent review services.
AHQA regularly works with lawmakers, health care providers, purchasers
and consumers to advocate the policies of the Association and to gain support
and visibility for the goals and accomplishments of its members.
AHQA maintains
a close working relationship with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the
National Quality Forum, major professional medical and health care associations,
and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission—serving as an educational
resource and partner on projects.
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