LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two upstate hospitals and five nursing homes are winners of IPRO's 2015 Quality Awards, to be presented June 2nd at the organization's 31st Annual Meeting at the LaGuardia Marriott Hotel in East Elmhurst, NY.
A not-for-profit organization, IPRO is funded by Medicare to offer technical support to quality improvement activities that take place across the state of New York. Each year IPRO recognizes local provider organizations that are able to exceed performance targets established by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). IPRO is currently concluding the first year of a five-year contract with CMS to stimulate Medicare quality improvement in New York.
Albany Memorial Hospital is recognized for improving care coordination with downstream providers—the hospital demonstrated a 34% improvement in communicating critical anticoagulation-related discharge information, from a baseline rate of 37% to a re-measurement rate of 71%.
Another acute-care hospital, HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley (Kingston, NY), was able to demonstrate the highest level of adherence to medication reconciliation protocols (90%) of all hospitals working with IPRO on this topic. Health Alliance's rate of adherence jumped from an initial rate of 74%.
"By focusing on improving communication across settings and insisting on medication reconciliation as a means of preventing dangerous drug interactions, Albany Memorial and HealthAlliance demonstrate that they're quality improvement champions," according the Clare B. Bradley, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President and Chair Medical Officer. "We salute their achievements and their commitment to patient safety."
Evergreen Commons Nursing Home (East Greenbush, NY) is recognized for an 89% improvement in medication reconciliation at admission and a 48% improvement in anticoagulation discharge communication from baseline measurement. Daleview Care Center (Farmingdale, NY) is cited for its facility-wide commitment to quality improvement principles, which has resulted in its placing among the top 10% of the CMS national nursing home quality composite score.
Northgate Health Care Facility (North Tonawanda NY) has reduced the use of anti-psychotic medication among residents with dementia by 51% and has a quality measure composite score within the top 10% of nursing homes nationwide. This facility is recognized by CMS as a "high-performing" nursing home.
In a similar fashion, Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center & Home (Staten Island, NY) has reduced antipsychotic medication use in its facility by 23%, and is recognized nationally as a "high performing" facility. IPRO is also honoring the New York State Veterans Home at Batavia for its commitment to a regional Learning Area Network, for reducing antipsychotic medication use among long-stay patients by over 52% and for acting as a "Peer Mentor" in sharing best practices regarding involving residents and families in quality improvement initiatives.
"We are singling out these facilities, not only because they're improving quality in measurable ways, but because they're taking steps to make sure these improvements are lasting," according to Tom Hartman, IPRO's Vice President for Quality Improvement. "We congratulate all five nursing homes."
Now celebrating its 31th anniversary as an independent not-for-profit, IPRO is a national organization providing a full spectrum of healthcare assessment and improvement services that foster more efficient use of resources and enhance healthcare quality to achieve better patient outcomes. Founded in 1984, IPRO is highly regarded for the independence of its approach, the depth of its knowledge and experience, and the integrity of its programs. IPRO holds contracts with federal, state and local government agencies, as well as private-sector clients, in more than 33 states and the District of Columbia.
SOURCE IPRO
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