Quality Forum Set To Help Transform Health Care Community
The Illinois Foundation for Quality Health Care will host five sessions of its Quality Forum throughout Illinois to highlight the quality improvement efforts being launched in Medicare's 8th Scope of Work.
Oak Brook, IL - The Illinois Foundation for Quality Health Care (IFQHC) today announced its plans for Transformational Change: Shaping the Future of Health Care Culture, the 2005 Quality Forum. As the Medicare contracted Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Illinois, IFQHC is charged with helping to lead the state's health care quality improvement efforts planned under the 8th Scope of Work (SOW).
The first session of the quality forum will take place Aug. 30 in Mount Vernon, Ill. Followed by, Sept. 1 in Springfield, Ill., Sept. 7 in Itasca, Ill., Sept. 8 in Downers Grove, Ill. and wrapping up in Alsip, Ill. on Sept. 9. Each session will provide an overview of the quality improvement work ahead in the areas of inpatient care, outpatient care, nursing home care, home health care and case review.
The first inpatient session track will cover the basics of inpatient priorities, the transition from the Surgical Infection Prevention Initiative (SIP) to the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) and an introduction to Appropriate Care Measures. The second inpatient session track will focus on case review while highlighting the Hospital Payment Monitoring Program (HPMP), the process for Medicare beneficiary appeals of provider decision and the Medicare mediation program.
The outpatient session track will focus on reaching underserved areas, the Doctor's Office Quality Information Technology (DOQ-IT) program and understanding the new Medicare prescription drug coverage plan. Bringing culture change to long term care, reducing employee turnover through successful workforce retention strategies and working with IFQHC to improve long term quality will be the main focus of the nursing home sessions.
The home health session will focus on using telehealth and telemedicine services to improve home health care. Additionally, the concept of spreading best practices between home health agencies to improve the quality of care provided to all home health patients will be discussed.
"The Quality Forum is an invaluable source of information regarding the upcoming scope of work and the future of Illinois health care quality," says Beth Hackman, vice president of the Illinois Foundation for Quality Health Care. "No where else can you learn about Medicare and IFQHC's plans for working with providers and practitioners to promote the improvement of the quality of care for every Illinois beneficiary."
William Thomas, M.D., founder and president of the Eden Alternative, will serve as the keynote speaker at each forum location. Thomas is a Harvard educated physician who has dedicated himself to improving the lives of the elderly and the quality of health care they receive. His recent book, What are Old People For? How Elders Will Save the World, draws from popular culture, history, science and literature to convey a better understanding of the nature of aging and the important role elders play in society.
SOURCE: llinois Foundation for Quality Health Care