|
Issue 34 | June 8, 2022
News, Resources and Events for the Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors (NQIIC)
| |
|
CMS Releases Analysis on 2022 Medicare Part B Premium Reexamination
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a report that recommends cost savings from lower-than-expected Medicare Part B spending be passed along to people with Medicare Part B coverage in the calculation of the 2023 Part B premium. Earlier this year, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Xavier Becerra, instructed CMS to reassess the 2022 Part B premium amount in response to a price reduction for Aduhelm™, a monoclonal antibody directed against amyloid for use in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Given the information available today, it is expected that the 2023 premium will be lower than 2022. The final determination will be made later this fall.
| |
|
NQIICs in Action: Alliant Health Solution’s One-on-One Support with Nursing Homes Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Rates for Residents and Staff
Follow your NQIIC colleagues as they work to improve health care quality in their communities
In the summer of 2021, nearly 200 nursing homes in the seven-state region served by Alliant Health Solutions (Alliant), a Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO), vaccinated their residents and staff against COVID-19 at rates well below their state averages. Alliant’s approach to helping nursing homes increase COVID-19 vaccinations among residents and staff included one-on-one support and recommending no less than 44 different intervention strategies. This led to notable improvements in vaccination rates in their seven-state region. Alliant suggests the one-on-one support delivered to nursing homes, rather than specific interventions, was the key factor driving the improved rates. Among facilities with below-average resident vaccination rates that received assistance from QIN-QIOs, Alliant had the highest proportion of nursing homes achieving greater than five percentage points above improvement compared to the average resident vaccination rate in their state.
| |
|
NQIICs in Action: Performance Tracking for Quality Assurance
Follow your NQIIC colleagues as they work to improve health care quality in their communities
When Great Plains Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) was providing one-on-one technical assistance with nursing homes, the team identified an opportunity to improve how the facilities were using their data related to COVID-19 infection prevention and control. They developed a performance tracking tool, which has been downloaded nearly 250 times from organizations in ten states. When comparing the confirmed resident COVID-19 infection rates for nursing homes referred to Great Plains QIN-QIO for technical assistance to national benchmarks for resident COVID-19 infection rates [through 02/28/2022], the cost savings as a result of improving infection rates and addressing potential infections related to COVID-19 was an overall savings of $7.1 million to date since technical assistance for the referred nursing homes began in April 2020.
Interested in submitting a blog? Here are resources to get you started:
-
Sign-up Form: Select a date for your submission here. Two slots are available each month, continuing through 2022.
-
Monday.com: Submit your 500-word blog Quality in Action or Behind the Scenes form.
-
Need ideas? Check out the bank of topic ideas for both blog styles here. Or, choose your own topic.
-
Have questions? Contact us at [email protected].
| |
|
My Personal Health Record
Log in to Quality Co-Op to access the Personal Health Record form modified by TMF Health Quality Institute, a Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization, through which patients can maintain and manage their health information (and that of others for whom they are authorized) in a private, secure, and confidential environment.
Not a member of Quality Co-Op? Click the Quality Co-Op menu option at the top of the www.QIOProgram.org homepage and go to New User Registration to sign-up as a Quality Co-Op new user. Questions? Email [email protected]
| |
|
Messaging and Media Tips
The DVA puts together messaging and media tips to help NQIIC awardees promote their quality improvement activities. See social media posts, activities and resources for:
| |
|
Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease Related Anemia: The Emerging Role of Hypoxia Inducible Factor Inhibitors
This program aims to improve the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD) and the application of current treatment modalities and the emerging therapies for the better outcome of anemia patients with CKD.
Target Audience:
- Pharmacists
- Physicians
- Physician Assistants
- Nurse Practitioners
- Nurses
- Dietitians
- Social Workers
- Dialysis Technicians
- Transplant Coordinator
Note: This training requires registration. The on-demand training will be available Monday, July 11-21, 2022.
| |
|
Behavioral Health and Opioid Utilization and Misuse
QIN-QIO | HQIC |AIANHQI |OPSS
Changing Communities, Saving Lives
Today, June 8, 2022 | 10 a.m. MST / 11 a.m. CST
Join Telligen today, June 8, to hear Randy Grimes, 10-year veteran of the NFL, tell his story of overcoming an opioid addiction and becoming a motivational speaker, author, founder of Pro Athletes in Recovery and advocate for addiction and mental health. You don’t want to miss it! Register here.
| |
|
HHS Announces Its First-Ever Behavioral Health Recovery Innovation Challenge
The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is announcing its first-ever behavioral health Recovery Innovation Challenge. The goal of this challenge is to identify innovations developed by peer-run or community-based organizations, and entities that may partner with them—such as local or state governments, health systems, hospitals, or health plans—that advance recovery. SAMHSA defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
| |
|
Patient Safety
QIN-QIO | HQIC |AIANHQI
Declaration to Advance Patient Safety
In May 2022, the National Steering Committee for Patient Safety (NSC) issued the Declaration to Advance Patient Safety to urge health care leaders across the continuum of care to recommit to advancing patient and workforce safety. To achieve the vision of health care that is safe, reliable, and free from harm, the Declaration to Advance Patient Safety calls for health care leaders to take collective and coordinated action.
Despite substantial effort over the past 20 years, preventable harm in health care remains a major concern in the United States. Though many evidence-based, effective best practices related to harm reduction have been identified, they are seldom shared nationally and implemented effectively across multiple organizations.
Reducing preventable harm requires a concerted, persistent, coordinated effort by all stakeholders, and a total systems approach to safety.
The National Action Plan to Advance Patient Safety implores leaders to adopt safety as a core value and foster collective action to uphold this value. Download the National Action Plan here.
| |
|
Chronic Disease Management
QIN-QIO | HQIC |AIANHQI
FDA Permits Marketing for New Test to Improve Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today permitted marketing for the first in vitro diagnostic test for early detection of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The Lumipulse G β-Amyloid Ratio (1-42/1-40) test is intended to be used in adult patients, aged 55 years and older, presenting with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of cognitive decline.
| |
|
Care Coordination
QIN-QIO | HQIC
How to Take a Whole-Person Approach to Patient Care
During the COVID-19 pandemic, patient care mattered more than ever. Unfortunately, patients’ perceptions of care have slipped downward since 2020. According to recent research by Press Ganey, patients were less likely to recommend their healthcare experiences to family and friends.
To get the patient experience right, long-term care facilities must account for the patient as a whole. With a whole-person care approach, patients aren’t just patients; they are people with unique needs and priorities. In other words, long-term care facilities can’t provide comprehensive healthcare without caring for people as individuals.
| |
|
Immunizations
QIN-QIO | HQIC | AIANHQI
2022 United States Monkeypox Case
Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are collaborating with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to investigate a situation in which a U.S. resident tested positive for monkeypox on May 18 after returning to the U.S. from Canada.
Persons who are at continued risk5 for occupational exposure to more virulent orthopoxviruses like variola virus or monkeypox virus should receive booster doses of JYNNEOS every 2 years after the primary JYNNEOS series.
| |
|
Health Equity
QIN-QIO | HQIC | AIANHQI
Each June brings a chance to celebrate Pride Month. In recognition of this observance, it is important to mention that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) community is comprised of various groups that have their own unique health disparities. While members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community share the burden of often being stigmatized for their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, their individual experiences vary by race, ethnicity, income, and other characteristics.
During Pride Month, the CMS Office of Minority Health is highlighting how you can help address these barriers and disparities impacting the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Below is a list of resources that you can share during Pride Month and beyond to help individuals get the most out of their health coverage.
Resources:
| |
|
NQIIC Events
HQIC Community of Practice Call
June 9, 2022 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Title: The Impact of Healthcare Associated Renal Damage, and the Connection to Long Term Renal Disease: How Can Health Care Organizations Reduce Risk for Patients?
Audience: This monthly call series is open to all Hospital Quality Improvement Contractors (HQIC) staff members to help support the delivery and spread of quality improvement initiatives in every state and territory. HQICs may extend this invitation to their hospitals to attend as well.
Purpose: Prevention of adverse events in which patients develop renal disease is important to all health care organizations that perform procedures using radiology with contrast. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an adverse event related to the use of intravenous iodinated contrast agents during radiological procedures and is reported to be the third most common cause of hospital-acquired acute renal failure. It carries a risk of permanent renal insufficiency, dialysis, and death, and remains a common and serious complication among at-risk patients after exposure of contrast agents. Proactive identification of patients at risk for CIN, as well as the implementation of preventative strategies are crucial for the prevention of harm, and the progression to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
This session will feature a discussion of the effect across the continuum of care, as well as implementation strategies that health care teams may take to reduce the risk of harm. Most importantly, this session will feature the lived experience of patients with ESRD.
| |
|
HQIC Community of Practice Call
July 14, 2022 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Title: Optimal Z Code Utilization and Reimbursement Opportunities
Audience: This monthly call series is open to all Hospital Quality Improvement Contractors (HQIC) staff members to help support the delivery and spread of quality improvement initiatives in every state and territory. HQICs may extend this invitation to their hospitals to attend as well.
Purpose: The CMS Office of Minority Health reports that one barrier to consistent collection of patient social determinants data is a lack of knowledge about Z codes, the special group of codes provided in ICD-10-CM to document social determinants of health. Of the 33.1 million fee-for-service beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare in 2019, only 1.59% had claims with Z codes (Mukset et al., 2021). Healthcare organizations can play an important role in advancing the collection of social determinants data.
During this webinar we will discuss: the importance of identifying patients’ social determinants of health and providing linkages to resources to address them; discuss how accurate, standardized collection of meaningful social determinants of health data can drive quality improvement and identify health disparities, how to address barriers that limit the ability to track social determinant data in EHRs; how to properly document social determinants of health using Z codes; and what reimbursement opportunities are available using Z codes.
| |
|
Partner Events
Changing Communities, Saving Lives
June 8, 2022 | 10 a.m. MST / 11 a.m. CST
Join Telligen today to hear Randy Grimes, 10-year veteran of the NFL, tell his story of overcoming an opioid addiction and becoming a motivational speaker, author, founder of Pro Athletes in Recovery and advocate for addiction and mental health. You don’t want to miss it! Register here.
| |
|
IHC’s Upcoming Annual Forum
June 14-15, 2022
Join IHC for the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative Annual Forum, an All Teach All Learn event with peers and
colleagues from across the country. Come prepared to learn and apply powerful leadership practices to key
healthcare priorities of Patient Safety, Opioids, Health Equity, Climate Change and more. Speakers include Dennis Wagner, Yes And Leadership, LLC; Jade Perdue-Puli, AHRQ; Jeneen Iwugo, CMS; and Joe McCannon, HHS. Learn more
| |
|
HAI Learning and Action Network (LAN) Event
June 23, 2022 |1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Hosted by IPRO
Title: Moving Forward Using Lessons Learned to Prevent Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI)
Audience: Nurses, physicians, infection preventionists, front-line staff, quality and patient safety
professionals and hospital leaders. HQICs may extend this invitation to their hospitals to attend as well.
Purpose: Preventing CLABSI remains a national patient safety priority given its associated harms of increased hospital length of stay, costs, morbidity and a 12–25 % mortality rate. Recent studies have shown that during the COVID-19 pandemic many hospitals experienced a significant increase in their CLABSI rates.
This dynamic webinar will feature proactive strategies and tools for preventing all-cause harm related to CLABSI and sharing of a hospital's success with engaging leaders, providers and front-line staff in a hospital-wide initiative to drive down device utilization, increase bundle compliance and improve outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the importance of hard-wiring essential evidence-based infection control practices to prevent CLABSI
- Gain insight on how to build resiliency into infection prevention programs to withstand future pandemics
- Discuss the impact of COVID-19 and lessons learned to devise strategies to enhance patient safety
- Hear about one hospital's challenges during COVID-19 and the success of a hospital-wide initiative improving outcomes
Register now!
The HAI LAN Series is a collaborative effort by the Compass, Alliant, Telligen, and IPRO HQICs.
| |
|
HAI Learning and Action Network (LAN) Event
Save the Date
July 28, 2022 |1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Hosted by Telligen
Topic: Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)
The HAI LAN Series is a collaborative effort by the Compass, Alliant, Telligen, and IPRO HQICs
| |
|
Has your NQIIC developed resources or organized an event you'd like to share? Please submit news, events or resources for consideration. Please note that the submission deadline for content is the Wednesday prior to the release of each
issue and should be received by 8:00 a.m. ET.
The DVA values your feedback. Let us know what you think!
Note: We’ve moved archived issues of the QI Times to Quality Co-Op on QIOProgram.org . See below for further instructions on how to access Quality Co-Op.
| |
|
The QI Times is your bi-weekly source for NQIIC news, events and resources produced by The Bizzell Group, the Data Validation and Administrative (DVA) contractor for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors (NQIIC).
Please feel free to forward this issue to your NQIIC colleagues. Click here to view previous issues of the QI Times. You need to be Quality Co-Op member to access previous issues. Not a member of Quality Co-Op? Click Quality Co-Op menu option at the top of the www.QIOProgram.org homepage and go to New User Registration to sign-up as a Quality Co-Op new user. Questions? Email [email protected]
| |
|
This material was prepared by The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), the Data Validation and Administrative (DVA) contractor, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS.
12SOW/Bizzell/DVA-0778-5/26/22
| | | | | |
