Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Home and Community Based Services

NEBRASKA

Grant Information


Name of Grantee

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Title of Grant

Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement System in Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)

Type of Grant

Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Home and Community Based Services

Amount of Grant

$470,000

Year Original Funding Received

2004

Contact Information


Joni Thomas, Grant Coordinator
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Aging and Disabilities Services
301 Centennial Mall South, Fifth Floor
Lincoln, NE 68509
402–471–1764
joni.thomas@hhss.ne.gov

Subcontractor(s)

Dr. Barbara Jackson, Project Manager
Munroe–Meyer Institute
University of Nebraska Medical Center
985450 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198–5450
402–559–5765
jjackso@unmc.edu

Connie Hayek, Project Director
Answers4Families
Center
on Children, Families and the Law
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
402–472–3479
chayek@answers4families.org

Dr. Linda Redford
University of Kansas

Target Population(s)


Consumers receiving services through the Aged and Disabled Home and Community Based Waiver, which covers populations across the lifespan.

Goals


  • Develop an integrated and comprehensive QM System (at state and local levels) based on the CMS HCBS Quality Framework incorporating expanded consumer involvement.
  • Implement a tool mirroring the CMS Participant Experience Survey to assess children's families' satisfaction with services.
  • Implement risk assessment tools/process to assure consumer health and welfare while allowing self-direction and consumer decision making.

Activities


  • Establish Quality Councils that include consumers to serve as advisory groups: one for in-home consumers and one for assisted living consumers.
  • Create data collection protocols for quality monitoring.
  • Develop written protocols for consumer participation in Participant Experience Survey.
  • Develop, implement, and analyze results of a Family Participant Experience Survey.
  • Establish a Web-based feedback and incident reporting system, with accompanying reports and protocols for linking information with the regulation and licensure system.
  • Develop and implement a medication risk process including an assessment instrument and instructions, a pharmacist referral protocol, and corrective action process.

Abstract


The purpose of the grant project is to develop a system of supports and services that builds quality into the design of program operations, including a quality management strategy that involves real-time methods of feedback and information gathering; involves consumers, families and advocates in active roles; and makes effective use of quality management processes to guide system improvement. This grant will target consumers receiving services through the Aged and Disabled Home and Community Based Waiver, which covers populations across the lifespan.

This project will integrate and enhance current quality assurance efforts into a coordinated, comprehensive Quality Management system that is aligned with the CMS HCBS Quality Framework. Four key issues will be addressed to improve current processes:

  • Consumer roles will be expanded using innovative strategies to increase their participation in all stages of the QM process.
  • A comprehensive quality management system (at both the state and local levels) based on the HCBS Quality Framework will be developed. This includes distinguishing between consumer outcomes for in-home services and consumers residing in assisted living facilities.
  • QM analysis, reporting, and follow-up processes will be enhanced to result in effective reporting and responsive actions on improvement recommendations.
  • Risk management tools, a medication assessment process and a family participant survey will be developed.