Administrative Memos

200220

FROM: Theodore O. Will, Chief Executive Officer
DATE: Nov 22, 2002
SUBJECT: Nursing Home Quality Initiative
IPRO CONTACTS:

Pauline Kinney, RN, MA, LNHA, Director of Nursing Home Quality Improvement Project, x-402

As the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for New York State, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has charged IPRO with improving nursing home quality of care in New York State.

Decisions about entering a nursing home can be difficult for many seniors and their families. IPRO is playing a critical role in the new Federal Nursing Home Quality Initiative to help nursing homes improve care for residents by providing up-to-date quality information to assist consumers in making informed decisions, and by offering clinical and quality improvement strategies to help providers improve their systems of care.

To date IPRO has sponsored educational events, conducted public outreach seminars, and will provide nursing homes throughout the state with clinical materials and technical support. This effort enhances a move by CMS to publicly report on the quality of care at all Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes, to understand and use quality measures in selecting nursing homes.

IPRO supports a quality improvement culture through innovative strategies, training, and education. Partnering with State Survey and Certification Agencies (SSCA's), trade associations, and patient advocacy organizations has assisted IPRO with disseminating material and will help us achieve positive quality improvement outcomes throughout New York State.

If you would like additional information about the Nursing Home Quality Initiative, IPRO's role, or consumer brochures, please call Pauline Kinney at (516) 326-7767 extension 402 or visit our web site at www.ipro.org.