Featured Articles

Dear Reader
Quality Talk
QIOs in Action
Dear Reader
Barry M. Straube, M.D., CMS

Welcome to the new QIO News. In this issue we unveil an electronic format that is easier to read and to share with quality improvement colleagues, partners and stakeholders. We will also work hard to bring you QIO News more often—every other month—so that you can stay on top of all of the great work happening across the country to improve the quality of American health care.

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Quality Talk
Jean Moody-Williams, RN, MPP
Jean Moody-Williams, Director, Medicare Quality Improvement Group, CMS Office of Clinical Standards and Quality

Jean Moody-Williams, RN, MPP, is responsible for the Quality Improvement Organization Program and the End Stage Renal Disease Networks. In this role, she supports the CMS mission to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, economy and quality of services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. Ms. Moody-Williams received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hampton University and a Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Maryland, College Park. In addition to her experience working at two QIOs, she is a former health system quality improvement director.

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QIOs in Action
Map of the United States highlighting featured states

CIMRO of Nebraska Receives Rural Health Achievement Award. IPRO Wins CMS Contract to Study and Improve Hospice Services. OFMQ Receives CMS Contract to Help Health Centers Use EHRs. WVMI Awarded Contract to Support the QIO 9th SOW Home Health Quality Improvement National Campaign.

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In This Issue:

Dear Reader
Quality Talk
QIOs in Action
CMS Expands “Every Diabetic Counts” Model as Part of New Campaign in Mississippi
Louisiana QIO Reduces Readmissions Rates by 80 Percent with Care Transition Coaches
QIO Support Accelerates Use of EHRs for Care Management
Health Disparities
Mississippi Health First Collaborative team
CMS Expands “Every Diabetic Counts” Model as Part of New Campaign in Mississippi

CMS recently announced the launch of the Mississippi Health First Collaborative, a statewide effort with federal agencies, national non-profit and state partners to improve care for patients with diabetes, particularly the medically underserved. At its core, the Mississippi Health First Collaborative uses the diabetes-self management model that other QIOs have been using throughout the 9th SOW as part of the “Every Diabetic Counts” project.

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Coordinated Care
Doctor consulting patient
Louisiana QIO Reduces Readmissions Rates by 80 Percent with Care Transition Coaches

In an effort to improve coordination across the continuum of care, Louisiana Health Care Review (LHCR), the Medicare QIO for Louisiana, has set an unprecedented standard for change. LHCR is one of 14 QIOs performing the sub-national Care Transitions Theme, which aims to improve health care processes at and after hospital discharge to reduce unnecessary rehospitalization among Medicare beneficiaries. Within six months of the program’s inception, LHCR lowered the readmission rate in the Baton Rouge area from about 19 percent to about 5 percent, far exceeding its original 2 percent goal.

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Preventive Care
Two healthcare professionals in a discussion
QIO Support Accelerates Use of EHRs for Care Management

CMS and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) are targeting late 2009 to develop a proposed rule to implement Medicare and Medicaid electronic health records (EHR) incentive payment programs. The definition of HER meaningful use is a critical component of the criteria for incentive payments authorized by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, a provision in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

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