IFMC Awarded Federal Patient Safety Contract

September 27, 2007

Iowa Foundation for Medical Care has been awarded a $11,422,812, three-year federal contract from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to serve as the Patient Safety Organization (PSO) Privacy Protection Center. IFMC will be responsible for developing the infrastructure for receiving many types of data pertaining to patient safety issues, managing secure, confidential, non-identifiable information, and providing technical assistance to PSOs. The project resulted from the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act passed by Congress in 2005.

Work on the project has begun. Approximately 35 jobs will be created in both IFMC's West Des Moines, Iowa, and Owings Mills, Maryland, offices. "IFMC has a long history and extensive experience in collaborations, ensuring confidential, secure data collection, and in providing highly skilled technical assistance," says Peg Mason, vice president, IFMC.

"Since the Institute of Medicine estimates 44,000 to 98,000 people are dying each year as a result of medical errors, the opportunity to work toward a safer health care system nationwide is very exciting," Mason says. "IFMC's mission closely aligns with AHRQ's mission to improve the quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of health care for all Americans and we look forward to serving as the Patient Safety Organization Privacy Protection Center.

IFMC is a leading non-profit company with more than 800 employees dedicated to health care quality improvement, medical information management and care management solutions. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, IFMC has 35 years experience in forming collaborative relationships to improve health care quality, health education and health information management.

Media Contacts:
Linda Ruble (515) 223-2107 lruble@ifmc.org