IFMC Celebrates National Home Care Month

New Push Underway to Partner with Home Health Agencies to Improve Quality of Care

November 10, 2005

West Des Moines, IA – November is National Home Care Month, and the Iowa Foundation for Medical Care (IFMC) applauds home health agencies working in Iowa to improve their clients’ quality of life More than two million Medicare beneficiaries receive home health care services.

As the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, or QIO, for Iowa, IFMC is working with the state’s home health agencies to reduce the rates of people returning to the hospital once they’ve received care. As part of the effort to reduce hospitalization rates, IFMC is assisting agencies to incorporate telehealth technologies into the care process. Telehealth may be something as simple as touching base with a client by phone to follow up on various aspects of care.

QIOs across the country—under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—are also working to improve organizational culture by conducting a survey on agencies’ practices, systems and staff satisfaction. Survey results will be used to assist agencies in developing quality improvement activities. In addition, IFMC is helping agencies assess whether clients have received influenza and pneumococcal immunizations, offering vaccinations and providing follow-up if appropriate. Data from 10 quality measures—which were updated in September 2005—are used in the Home Health Compare tool available on Medicare’s public Web site at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Numbers are one way to gauge or measure improvement, but there are other ways to look at how QIOs have made a difference in collaboration with home health agencies. Quality home health care services may have improved quality of life for you or a loved one, and IFMC would like to recognize the individuals working hard to bring the right care to the every person every time.

Media Contact:
Joe Shannahan - (515) 223-2988