New CMS SNF Quality Program

CMS has announced they are moving forward with a program called Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI), and will be notifying 4200 randomly selected nursing homes across the country of their selection as a participant. 
Facilities are advised to check their Quality Improvement & Evaluation System (QIES) mailbox [where MDS data is submitted] to determine if they have been selected to participate.


CMS has identified the following key concepts that are found throughout effective quality systems and are the framework for establishing a QAPI program

Design and Scope;

Governance and Leadership;

Feedback, Data Systems, and Monitoring;

Performance Improvement Projects; and

Systematic Analysis and Systemic Action

CMS’ contractor, Abt Associates, Inc., and their subcontractor, the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care, designed a questionnaire to identify the quality systems and processes nursing homes currently have in place, as well as assess the extent to which these systems and processes function to help nursing homes recognize and address quality issues. This information will help CMS and our contractors refine the QAPI components.

The Nursing Home Quality Improvement Questionnaire will be administered to a representative sample of 4,200 randomly selected nursing homes in two waves:

• Summer 2012: First wave of data collection: Establish a baseline of QAPI practices in nursing homes and gather information on the challenges and barriers to implementing effective QAPI programs:
• 2013-2014 Second wave  of data collection: Assess the development of QAPI systems, determine what types of TA to make available to nursing homes in the future, and determine  the potential impact of TA in advancing QAPI in nursing homes