Handy Guide to National Quality Initiatives

 

 

(August 2009) – The Long Term Care Professional Leadership Council (LTCPLC) has issued its fourth statement to offer an explanation of the basics of quality improvement programs in Long Term Care.  The statement includes a listing of national initiatives with specific information about initiative goals, sponsorship, participants, measures used and resources or services offered – over two dozen initiatives (proposals, plans, and ideas) are listed including government efforts.

 

The statement encourages readers to “take a careful, thoughtful look “at these issues.  LTCPLC notes the principles are equally applicable to providing and improving care and also notes that:

ü  The pertinence of interventions is more important than their number.

ü  The goals and objectives of specific initiatives must be consistent with the overall agenda to improve care quality.

ü      The best solutions come from defining the issues carefully and thoroughly and understanding root causes.

 

LTCPLC also observes that quality initiatives generally improve results when they are focused on influencing systems.  Any one undertaking quality improvement should ask the question “How will this activity improve the system, processes, and practices that most relate to the outcomes in question.

 

LTCPLC also lists suggestions to support effective, competent processes, and what to focus on as results are reported and analyzed.

 

LTCPLC lists key features of Quality Initiative programs/activities and recommends priorities for their implementation to:

ü      Seek ways to improve the basic skills and clinical capabilities of staff and practitioners who provide care;

ü      Better align financial and reimbursement incentives to giving coordinated, resident-centered care;

ü      Improve the environment in which staff and practitioners function;

ü      Improve the application of existing evidence and knowledge in care and management

ü      See how to overcome implementation challenges and face the complex situations that often arise;

ü      Improve the incentives for adequately trained physicians, professionals, and other practitioners to work in nursing homes;

ü      Help the public understand more about appropriate expectations and a more effective role in attaining desired outcomes;

ü      Emphasize common principles across all settings and conditions (for example, pressure ulcers prevention, pain management, and fall programs), as well as specific setting and diseases or conditions.

 

Quality initiatives should be reviewed carefully to focus on root causes and produce credible results.  Many of the programs listed on the chart that accompanies the statement have resources that may help launch a Quality Initiative program.

 

To access a copy of the Statement go to (insert link) or visit any of the Steering Committee web sites.

 

The Long Term Care Professional Leadership Council (LTCPLC) was formed in 2006 to foster collaboration among the key professions that provide leadership in Long Term Care and have a role mandated by regulation. The LTCPLC Steering Committee is composed of key leadership from ACHCA, AMDA, ASCP, and NADONA. The LTCPLC’s Professional and Technical Advisory Group (PTAG), consists of key industry stakeholders including Clinical Practice Professionals, Ancillary Services Professionals, Product and Service Provider Professionals, and Government and Regulatory Agencies. The PTAG works together with the Steering Committee to create opportunities for dialogue and provide guidance to the industry.

 

American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) Contact: Marianna Kern Grachek, President & CEO	Email:mgrachek@achca.org Phone: 202-536-5120 URL: www.achca.org
American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) Contact: Lorraine Tarnove, Executive Director	Email: ltarnove@amda.com Phone: 410 -740-9743 URL: www.amda.com
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) Contact: John Feather, Executive Director and CEO	Email: jfeather@ascp.com Phone: 703 -739 -1300 URL: www.ascp.com
National Association Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care (NADONA) Contact: Sherrie Dornberger, RN, President	Email: bzynurse1@aol.com Phone: 513-791-3679 URL: www.nadona.org
Professional and Technical Advisory Group Nurse Executive Council for post Acute Care – Contact Yvonne Rubright, yrubright@genoaconsulting.com Direct Supply: Contact W. Bradford Klitsch. BKlitsch@directs.com The American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) –Contact Linda Roberts,  lindaroberts@mindspring.com Registered Dietitian Executive Council- Contact Pat Dahlstrom RD, pdahlstrom@ehcmail.com