Quality

Quality improvement services assist selected health organizations participating in the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development (DRCHSD) Program in evaluating their care management and transitions of care processes to establish planning priorities that improve operational efficiency and quality performance. Consultation services:

• Identify top opportunities that result in improved quality performance
• Perform a care management analysis that targets utilization review, discharge planning, transitions of care, and resource utilization to yield cost-effective quality outcomes that are patient-centric and safe
• Evaluate interdepartmental coordination that impacts care management and transitions of care
• Evaluate the hospital’s knowledge level regarding best-practice processes that impact patient-centered care and care coordination
• Provide industry-accepted best practice recommendations and evidence-based protocols
• Develop action plans to implement best practices and adopt evidence-based models
• Provide executive leadership and management teams with education on the various quality improvement topics to support sustainability
• Promote value to receive greater benefit from value-based care initiatives and better position for population health management

The consultation is a comprehensive service that assesses the quality infrastructure of the organization. Services are customized to fit the organization’s needs and may include the following:

• Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (QAPI) Plan and Health Equity
• Employee Satisfaction and Employee Rounding
• Patient Rounding and Interdisciplinary Huddles
• Communications, Discharge Planning, and Transitions of Care
• Patient satisfaction and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Survey reporting
• Quality Reporting and Process of Care Measures
• Emergency Department Performance
• Readmissions Reductions
• Medication Reconciliation
• Utilization Review and Care Management
• Clinic Documentation and Level of Care
• Chronic Care Management
• Care Management Billing and Coding
• Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH)
• Information Technology and Meaningful Use

Program staff guide leaders through the consultation process, and assist hospital and clinics teams:

• Address organizational-specific care performance questions
• Promote quality of care to the community to build patient loyalty
• Review and update action plans to further assist leaders with the implementing process
• Provide Implementation Technical Assistance services

Healthcare organizations receive a full assessment in year 1 of the three-year participation cycle. Coaching calls are held in year 2 to support leaders with implementation. A reassessment is provided in year 3 to guide leaders with the next steps for ongoing performance improvements.

Implementation Technical Assistance services may be requested to support the execution of action plans, implementation of best practices, and adoption of evidence-based models following the completion of assessments.