| | | On August 1, 2008, Healthcare Quality Strategies, Inc., (HQSI) began implementing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) Ninth Scope of Work (9th SOW). This three-year program encompasses a variety of projects throughout New Jersey. Community-based efforts include the New Jersey Care Transitions Project and the New Jersey Drug Safety Initiative. New Jersey Care Transitions Project The New Jersey Care Transitions Project is designed to reduce 30-day re-hospitalization rates for Medicare beneficiaries and ensure that they receive follow-up physician care in the critical days following discharge. HQSI is one of only 14 state Medicare quality improvement organizations (QIOs) chosen by CMS to participate in this national pilot project.
The project focuses on improving transitions of care from one provider setting to another, with primary emphasis on Medicare patients at highest risk of re-hospitalization. High-risk patients include those with congestive heart failure, pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. New Jersey Drug Safety Initiative The New Jersey Drug Safety Initiative (NJDSI) is a patient-focused, community-based project aimed at improving medication safety among people with Medicare. The NJDSI involves collaboration among healthcare providers and facilities, community-based organizations, beneficiaries, and their caregivers.
Project goals include reducing the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and avoiding drug-on-drug interactions (DDIs) with warfarin. A key component is education and promoting the use of personal medication records (PMRs). A PMR encourages greater patient involvement in medication management and fosters communication among patients and their healthcare providers. | |
