Posted on Friday, March 3, 2017 1:23 PM
In the current era of ACO’s, 5-Star Ratings and publicly reported outcomes, it is imperative for homecare agencies to be focused on the quality of care delivered to each and every patient. What defines quality and is that definition the same for everyone? Most likely not – especially when asking a patient for their definition. In healthcare, most believe quality is defined as doing or delivering the right services and care that is needed, providing those services at the right time and in the right way with a goal for the best results possible.
To be even more specific, the Institute of Medicine defines healthcare quality with the following six attributes:
• Safety – patients should not be harmed by the care that is intended to help them
• Patient-Centered – care should be based on individual needs
• Timely – waits and delays in care should be reduced
• Effective – care should be evidence-based
• Efficient – reduce waste
• Equitable – care should be equal for all people
Incorporating the above attributes as consideration into each of your care delivery processes will assist your organization in meeting the Quality measures you are striving for. Consider each of these attributes as your organization works to improve processes surrounding care delivery. As the processes are honed relative to the above attributes, organizations will see significant improvements in their Quality measures – both outcome measures and process measures. The improvements will be noticed by the ACOs operating in your area, will impact your Star Ratings and place your organization above others in publicly reported outcomes readily available to the consumer.
Written by Peggy Patton, Corridor’s Vice President of Education Services.
About Corridor
Corridor is the nation’s preferred partner and trusted business advisor to home health and hospice providers, providing quality services and impactful results for 30 years. Focusing on key operational, regulatory and financial challenges, Corridor delivering industry-unique solutions and deep expertise in coding, clinical documentation review, compliance, billing and collections , consulting and provider staff education . At Corridor, we make the business of caring for people Better! For the most important industry updates and news that impacts home health and hospice, please make sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive the latest up-to-date industry information direct to your inbox!
For additional information, please contact Corridor at 1-866-263-3795.
