TIP OF THE WEEK
Know Your ABCs: Achievable Benchmarks of Care
At the core of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Total Quality Management (TQM), and most improvement models is the assumption that an ongoing cycle of process change, measurement, analysis, and modification will lead to improved quality. Within this process, it is also important to set goals, or benchmarks, for which to strive.
Developed by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) under direction from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Achievable Benchmark of Care (ABC) method exists to provide the healthcare industry with a sensitive, reliable, and valid measurement system to monitor performance and provide informative feedback. In a nutshell, this method uses CQI principles to achieve realistic goals that are based on other high-performing and comparable healthcare providers. Feedback reports provide progress updates in relation to selected benchmarks.
The ABCs possess the following characteristics:
- Demonstrably attainable by “best-in-class” providers
- Represent a measurable level of excellence and always exceed average performance
- Based on widely accepted, evidence-based clinical indicators that improve outcomes, with high reliability and validity
- Clinically realistic measures of important processes of care that are demonstrably attainable
- Based on a pre-defined, data driven model
- All superior providers contribute to the benchmark
- Providers with high performance and very low numbers of cases do not unduly influence benchmark levels
The ABC method is being continually evaluated and re-evaluated by UAB and AHRQ to refine the process and update the benchmarks of care that are used to measure the providers’ progress.
For more information, go to the UAB Web site at http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=14527 or contact the Ohio KePRO Nursing Home Team at 1.800.385.5080.
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
TeamSTEPPStm Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety
An evidence-based teamwork system aimed at optimizing patient outcomes by improving communication and other teamwork skills among healthcare professionals, TeamSTEPPStm includes a comprehensive suite of ready-to-use materials and training curricula necessary to successfully integrate teamwork principles into all areas of your healthcare system.
TeamSTEPPStm was developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) Patient Safety Program, in collaboration with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
IN THE NEWS
CMS PROPOSES RATE YEAR 2009 PAYMENT, POLICY CHANGES FOR LONG-TERM CARE HOSPITALS
January 23, 2008 -- CMS -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed payment rule designed to ensure that long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) continue to receive appropriate payment for services provided while giving them incentives to provide more efficient care to Medicare beneficiaries. LTCHs are a type of acute care hospital that treats some of Medicare’s most severely ill or medically complex patients. The new policies and payment rates would apply to services provided to individuals who are discharged from these hospitals on or after July 1, 2008. Read more >>
IMMUNIZATION ACTION COUNCIL (IAC) UPDATES STANDING ORDERS PROTOCOLS
January 22, 2008 -- IAC -- IAC recently updated four of its standing orders protocols for administering vaccine to adults and six of its standing orders protocols for administering vaccine to children and teens. Read more >>
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR NURSING RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM ADVANCES THE SCIENCE OF NURSING EDUCATION
January 18, 2008 -- NLN -- The NLN's ongoing grants program supporting nursing education research is one of the few such programs in existence. Funding is available to NLN members to develop, design, and execute research initiatives that will have broad-based significance, be critical to decision-making and policy-setting at institutional and national levels, and help to transform nursing education. Read more >>
December 18, 2007 -- Federal Register -- This interim final rule with comment period implements the continuation of the revisit user fee program for Medicare Survey and Certification activities. The regulations became effective December 14, 2007 and are applicable starting November 17, 2007. This rule is open for comment through February 19, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Read more >>
INDUSTRY EVENTS
NAVIGATING THE MDS THROUGH THE OHIO MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM
February 7 and May 1, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. EST
Speakers: Claire Spellmire, RN, BSN and Karen Jennings, LNHA, MHA from the Case Mix Section, Bureau of Long Term Care Facilities, Office of Ohio Health Plans.
Cost: Free
For more information or to register, call Cheryl Robertson at 614-466-9088.
Space is limited to two per facility.
Medicare Learning Network: Learning resources and products for the healthcare professional.
Alzheimer’s Association Training Events
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Courses
Ohio Department of Health, Technical Assistance Program – New Programs
Ohio Health Care Association Events
An archive of The Nursing Home Weekly Update is available on our Web site. Click here >>
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