Dear Reader

By the time you read this, your local QIO will be finalizing its plans to implement some of the biggest changes in the history of the QIO Program. The “statement of work” that QIOs begin in August challenges them to lead rapid, substantial and widespread improvements in health quality as part of CMS’ commitment to health system transformation.

By its very nature, this challenge includes you, whether you’re a health care provider, quality expert, government official, patient advocate or other QIO Program stakeholder. None of us can afford to maintain the status quo, whether cost is measured in dollars spent or lives lost to errors that could have been prevented by better processes of care.

There are many ways to become involved. QIOs will be working with providers at every point on the performance spectrum, providing technical assistance to those who need it to improve, encouraging those in the mainstream to reach their full potential, and calling upon quality leaders to share knowledge with others.

There are even more benefits to becoming involved. With an emphasis on collaboration, your QIO is aligning its work with many of the quality initiatives in which you already may be participating. You are likely to find that participation in a QIO improvement initiative can help you in achieving national patient safety goals and improving your value-base purchasing performance. Participation also can support your efforts to meet state survey requirements or accreditation standards, and help your practice qualify for PQRS incentives.

Our vision is an American health care delivery system that consistently delivers better care for patients, better health for populations and communities, and lower costs through quality improvement. I encourage you to share our vision, rise to the challenge, and take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of transforming our nation’s health care system into one that works for all of us. 

As QIO News was going to press, CMS welcomed Patrick H. Conway, MD, MSc, as Director of the Office of Clinical Standards and Quality and CMS Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Conway succeeds Barry M. Straube, MD, who retired in January after 10 years of distinguished federal service. We are excited that Dr. Conway is here to launch the next generation of the QIO Program and will feature an interview with him in the July issue.

Jean Moody-Williams, R.N., MPP
Director, Quality Improvement Group
Office of Clinical Standards and Quality
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)