Report highlights newly-implemented structural changes, early progress, and anticipated changes for year ahead
The American Health Quality Association (AHQA) applauds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for releasing the 2014 QIO Program Progress Report, which highlights how Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organizations (QIN-QIOs) nationwide are bringing together local providers, partners, and other stakeholders to achieve rapid improvements in health quality.
“AHQA is pleased to help CMS spread the word about the accomplishments of this program and how QIOs are engaged in their communities across the country to achieve the goals of better health care, a healthier population, and lower cost,” said Todd Ketch, Executive Director, AHQA. “The Progress Report is a clear snapshot of the QIO Program and demonstrates the benefits of QIO initiatives for patients and their care providers.”
The interactive online report features the following:
- Information about the QIO Program’s new organizational structure, its goals and national partnerships
- Real-life examples of how health care providers have addressed quality improvement challenges
- Takeaways from CMS’ 2014 QualityNet Conference, which was attended by providers, beneficiary advocacy groups, federal agencies, health care quality improvement organizations, and others
“We know this report shows just some of what’s possible with the QIO program,” said Dennis Wagner, Acting Director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, Quality Improvement Group. “We look forward to continuing this momentum toward even greater community collaboration with QIOs to achieve truly transformational results.”
The report highlights some of the recent achievements QIOs made from 2011 to 2014 in their recently-completed 11th Statement of Work contract cycle with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
- 27,000 readmissions and 95,000 hospitalizations avoided, and nearly $1 billion cost savings from improving care transitions
- 44,640 potential adverse events prevented
- 53 percent reduction in central line associated blood stream infections
- 85,149 fewer days with urinary catheters for Medicare beneficiaries
- 3,374 pressure ulcers prevented or healed in 787 nursing homes
- 6,250 Medicare beneficiaries in 981 nursing homes are now restraint free
- 20 percent rate of absolute improvement in blood sugar control among participating diabetics
In addition, the 2014 QIO Program Progress Report profiles programs that have achieved better health, better care, and lower costs. The report concludes with the ambitious five-year QIO program goals that ensure the continued work of the QIOs to aggressively pursue opportunities for improvement.
Learn More:
CMS on QIO Program impact on U.S. health care in recent years
Find out more about QIOs in Action in their communities
Media Contact:
Todd Ketch | (202) 331-5790 | tketch@ahqa.org
About The American Health Quality Association (AHQA): AHQA is an educational, not-for-profit national membership association dedicated to promoting and facilitating fundamental change that improves the quality of health care in America. AHQA represents Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) and other professionals working to improve health care quality and patient safety. For more information, visit www.ahqa.org.