Nursing homes that have partnered with Quality Improvement Organizations over the last three years have delivered drastically reduced pressure ulcer rates and restraint use, according to new government figures.
The 780 providers paired with QIOs to lower pressure sore rates cut them by 38%, the American Health Quality Association announced in early June.
In addition, restraint use shriveled by 76% among the nearly 1,000 nursing facilities that worked with QIOs to reduce them.
In each state, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services contracts with one QIO. These organizations are private, mostly not-for-profit groups charged with helping Medicare providers boost care quality. The American Health Quality Association represents them collectively.
In one strong example of how the pressure ulcer program worked, the QIO in Arkansas helped a rural nursing home implement best practices, such as prompt risk assessments and evidence-based training protocols, according to the AHQA.
From the July 01, 2014 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
