Support Gainful Employment
Quality Improvement Activity (QIA)
For questions or technical assistance, please contact:
Home Therapies
Transplant QIA and Gainful Employment QIA Lead:
Anna Bennett
Quality Improvement Coordinator

Oversight:
Jeanine Pilgrim, BSHSM
Quality Improvement Director

Project Support:
John Cocchieri
Quality Improvement Data Coordinator
(516) 209-5515
ACTION REQUIRED:
Reporting & Feedback:
 
Support Gainful Employment QIA
Worksheet PDF
Online Reporting Form
 
Due  by
February 28, 2019

RESOURCES:

Network Resources:

Support Gainful Employment Webpage

 

Provider Insider
VR Articles Link

 

Stakeholder Links:

Steps Overview
VR Steps: 
  1. Assess patient needs
  2. Discuss Quality of Life (QOL)
  3. Set goals for QOL
  4. Refer to VR/EN If and when patient is ready or requests
  5. UPDATE Patient VR Record in CROWNWeb
  6. Reassess when needed or at Annual Plan of Care
February 2019
 
To: All Support Gainful Employment QIA Facility Staff, Patient SMES and Stakeholders
February is CUSTOMER FOCUS month
Welcome to the monthly newsletter for the Network Vocational Rehabilitation/Employment Resources QIA. Each month, we will launch interventions, spread best practices, and keep you up to date on QIA activities. 
February Activities
Intervention #1: Set up a DYNAMIC Visual Display/Education Station for your QIA(s)
It is time to set your facility up for QIA success!
Work with your staff and patients to develop an Education Station. This can be a bulletin board, a table display or something outside of the box (INNOVATION Is the key to success!)

This QIA was mandated by CMS to improve access to  Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) resources for your patients. 

For tips on how to have a successful Education Station, see our tip sheet PDF.

Some suggestions
Use your displays to "Start the conversation"  Ask them to "talk to a staff member to learn more".

Be sensitive to all of your patients (Some may not be able for/or qualify for VR) so feature a balanced life such as "Work, Hobbies and Volunteering" 

Highlight activities that happen outside of the dialysis unit.  If patients want to share their accomplishments, put it on the board. 

Make sure you have a section that says - if you are interested in going back to work or school, speak with the staff.  (hint: the SSA's Ticket To Work Program - qualifies as both a VR referral and can count as utilization if they make the call or sign up for an online webinar)

Reporting: By June 2019, you will be asked to submit a picture of your education station to the Network for our Annual Education Station Contest.

Intervention #2: Patient Knowledge Assessment
Assess at least 10% of your patients on their knowledge about your QIA topic.  This is a brief assessment that can be completed verbally and/or in written format. The baseline questions are:

Did you know that the government has work/school programs for people with disabilities?  

Did you know that being on dialysis may qualify you for these programs?

Reporting: Please discuss the results of this assessment in your February QAPI meeting, and in March, you will be asked to provide the number of patients assessed (at least 10% of your census), the answer totals, and any patient comments about the questions in your monthly status report. 
Monthly Status Report
Vocational Rehabilitation Reporting:
February Contact Information and RCA/PDSA
Reporting Worksheet PDF  Online Submission Form
( please note that due to some confusion with RCA/PDSA reporting, we are allowing facilities to resubmit their original reporting to fulfill February  reporting)

All QIA Reporting is due
by February 28, 2019
 
Project Goals
Support Gainful Employment/Vocational Rehabilitation QIA : Participating facilities shall demonstrate a 10% increase  in VR Referrals (reported in CROWNWeb) and a 5% increase in VR Utilization (reported in CROWNWeb)  by September 30, 2019.

We Want to Hear from YOU!

Please contact the qualityimprovement@nw2.esrd.net if you have questions, comments, or specific barriers that you would like to address.  Let us know if you have identified any best practices that you would like to share with the community.