Medicare's Quality Improvement Organization Program

Medicare's Quality Improvement Organization Program is the second book inthe new Pathways to Quality Health Care series. Focusing on performanceimprovement, it considers the history, role, and effectiveness of the QualityImprovement Organization (QIO) program and its potential to promotequality improvement within a changing health care delivery environmentthat includes standardized performance measures and new data collectionand reporting requirements. This book carefully examines the QIOs thatserve every state as well as the national program that guides and supportsthem. In addition, it highlights the important roles that a national programwith private organizations in each state can play in promoting higher qualitycare. Medicare's Quality Improvement Organization Program looks closelyat the technical assistance role of the QIO program and the need toencourage and support providers to improve their performance. By providingan in-depth assessment of the federal experience with quality improvementand recommendations for program improvement, this book helpspoint the way for those who strive to create higher quality and better valuein health care. Intended for multiple audiences, Medicare's QualityImprovement Organization Program is essential reading for members ofCongress, the federal executive branch, the QIOs, health care providers andclinicians, and stakeholder groups.Table of ContentsFront MatterSummaryIntroductionPart I--Introduction: 1 A Historical Perspective and the Current QIO Program2 Assessment of the QIO Program: Findings and Conclusions3 Performance Measurement, Quality Improvement, and Other Entities4 Improving Quality and Performance Measurement by the QIO Program5 CMS Oversight of the Operations and Management of the QIO ProgramPart II--Introduction: 6 Study Approach7 Structure and Finances8 Technical Assistance for Quality Improvement9 Impact of Technical Assistance for Quality Improvement and Knowledge Transfer10 Evaluation of Quality Improvement Achieved by the QIO Program11 Beneficiary Education and Communications12 Protection of Medicare Beneficiaries and Program Integrity13 CMS OversightAppendix A Supporting TablesAppendix B Private Sector Organizations Offering Services Related to Quality ImprovementAppendix C Approaches to Evaluation DesignAppendix D Glossary and Acronyms Appendix E Committee BiographiesIndex