More than 800 Healthcare Providers: Collaborating for Better Health, Better Care and Lower Cost
August marked the one-year anniversary of the formation of Great Plains Quality Innovation Network as the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Already, more than 800 hospitals, physician offices and eligible professionals, home health agencies and nursing homes are experiencing the benefits of the ‘network’ approach to healthcare quality improvement.
In 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established QIN-QIOs as part of its redesign of the traditional Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program, which was state-based and focused on both offering quality improvement assistance to providers and performing medical case review of quality of care complaints and appeals. Now QIN-QIOs, like Great Plains Quality Innovation Network, focus solely on helping CMS achieve its three-part aim of better care, better health and lower costs. The case review work, previously carried out by QIOs, is now addressed by Beneficiary and Family Centered Care QIOs.
Through July 2019, the Great Plains Quality Innovation Network is offering free learning and networking opportunities, technical assistance and best practice tools and resources in support of data-driven quality initiatives designed to improve patient safety, reduce harm and positively impact clinical care locally and across the network.
“Working as a four-state Network presents an incredible opportunity to improve the quality and lower the cost of healthcare. In addition to the resources we offer, providers can learn from each other across state lines and across settings of care. The unique talents and experiences that each partner brings to the table serve us well as we collaborate to meet the needs of healthcare providers and Medicare consumers throughout the region,” stated Ryan Sailor, Network Director.
Many of Great Plains Quality Innovation Network services come in the form of Learning and Action Networks (LANs), peer groups where participants hear from experts and each other, share successes and lessons learned and have access to customized data reports, showing their performance compared to the Network, national averages and more. Great Plains Quality Innovation Network has formed LANs to improve cardiac care, diabetes care and adult vaccination rates and to lower incidences of Healthcare-Associated Infections and Healthcare-Acquired Conditions, such as pressure ulcers. Great Plains QIN is also offering LANs related to the use of technology and quality reporting and they are forming community coalitions to improve effective communication and coordination of care. The Learning and Action Network is a great opportunity to get connected and demonstrate your commitment to quality improvement.
“We have found great value in our regional approach; each of the four state partners share a commitment to improving quality of care and working to ensure that all patients receive the right care, at the right time, every time. Working together and aligning efforts, while pooling resources and common elements has proven to be quite successful,” stated Tina Georgy, RN, MS, Chief Executive Officer.
Sailor noted that although the Network offers many learning opportunities, collaborating with existing initiatives and engaging community partners is equally as important.
“We have made great strides so far, but there is a long way to go. Our vision is to make healthcare in our region the best in the nation. Therefore, we have our work cut out for us, but we are 100 percent committed to that goal. At this one-year milestone, we are extremely pleased with the accomplishments and progress made thus far. We look forward to continued success and growth,” added Sailor.
To learn more about the quality improvement efforts underway in all four states, visit the Great Plains QIN Web site. For additional information on the QIN-QIO approach to healthcare quality improvement, visit the program’s Web site.
