The federal government has finalized the objectives that will inform the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, which was established by last year’s economic stimulus legislation. Under the terms of the final rule issued July 28th by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, providers demonstrating “meaningful use” of health information technology will be eligible… Continue Reading
IPRO’s 25th Anniversary Report Wins Second Award
In addition to the 2009 American Graphic Design Award (Quality Watch Oct/Nov 2009), IPRO has been awarded an APEX 2010 Award of Excellence. APEX 2010 is the 22nd annual awards program recognizing excellence in publications work by professional communicators. APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve… Continue Reading
IPRO Attacks MRSA
As part of its Patient Safety Theme, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has contracted with Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) across the nation to help healthcare providers reduce Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in their facilities. MRSA causes approximately 94,000 serious infections and 19,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Of these, 86% are… Continue Reading
IPRO Project Emphasizes Follow-up
Seniors with major chronic illnesses who are discharged from hospitals don’t always recognize the critical nature of timely follow-up visits with primary care physicians, according to experts participating in IPRO’s 5-county Care Transitions program, which runs through July 2011. Allison J. Wait, MS, RN, Clinical Educator and Personal Health Coach with The Eddy VNA in… Continue Reading
Tallon Keynotes IPRO Annual Meeting
“Health Reform for New York and the Nation” is the theme of the keynote address to be presented by James R. Tallon, Jr. at IPRO’s 26th Annual Meeting, to be held June 8th at the LaGuardia Marriott hotel in East Elmhurst, NY. As President of the United Hospital Fund of New York, Tallon heads a… Continue Reading
CMS Unveils Hospital Cost, Volume Website
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is debuting a new website that provides detailed information on payments to hospitals and volume for specific DRGs under the Medicare prospective payment system. Payments for the top 25 Medicare DRGs are arrayed by state and by individual hospitals within states. Hospitals can be compared on the… Continue Reading
IPRO Offers Classes for Seniors with Diabetes
IPRO has completed self-management training for about 900 Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, under a special three-year program devoted to supporting seniors in underserved communities. These free Diabetes Wellness Workshops are offered in English and Spanish at community centers in all five boroughs of New York City. IPRO is one of a select group of Quality… Continue Reading
Data-Driven Websites: Feature on a Newcomer
– Kathy Terry, PhD, Senior Director, Data Analysis & Evaluation and, Jaz-Michael King, Senior Director, Healthcare Transparency, IPRO. (This article first appeared in the March 2010 edition of BC Advantage) Healthcare data transparency is becoming a thriving medium of information exchange between patients and caregivers. It is likely an industry that will grow even larger… Continue Reading
IPRO Author Analyzes Payment Alternatives
Payers should take a flexible approach to payment reform, given the evolving but fragmented nature of the U.S. healthcare system, according to a key chapter of a new book addressing partnerships between physicians and hospitals. “…Payers might offer a blended fee-for-service and care management fee payment model for practices that are able to meet the… Continue Reading
Senate Finance to Review Berwick Nomination
At press time, the Senate Finance Committee hadn’t yet scheduled a hearing to review the nomination of Donald Berwick, MD, MPP, to the position of Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Announced by President Obama on April 19, the Berwick nomination is widely hailed as advancing the nation’s quality agenda. As… Continue Reading