Louisiana Health Care Review
THE MEDICARE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION
An Overview of OBQI

LHCR is working with Louisiana Home Health Agencies (HHAs) to improve the quality of care through the Outcomes Based Quality Improvement (OBQI) system. This nation-wide system, developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and based on OASIS data, assists HHAs in formulating a plan of action to increase the standards of care they provide.

CMS has developed a quality improvement system called OBQI. CMS will implement the OBQI within the home health agency industry through their network of Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) throughout the nation. The designated QIO for the state of Louisiana is LHCR.

LHCR...We are here to help
As a CMS approved consultant for OBQI, LHCR serves as the quality improvement organization designated to work with Medicare-certified HHAs. LHCR has successfully worked with physicians, clinics and hospitals in quality improvement for many years. Now, we are excited to work with the caring professionals in the Home Health Agency and Nursing Home industries.

OBQI: Simple as 1... 2... 3...
OBQI is a simple, logical process that begins with OASIS data gathering and ends with improved, functional/clinical outcomes for your patients. The OBQI process involves the following steps:

  1. Review agency Case Mix and Outcomes Report.
  2. Select agency target outcomes.
  3. Conduct a Process-of-Care Investigation.
  4. Summarize findings in a Problem/Strength Statement.
  5. Identify agency Best Practices based on Problem/Strength Statement.
  6. Develop a Plan of Action.
  7. Implement the Plan of Action.
  8. Monitor the Plan of Action.

This entire process is explained on the OBQI Web Site: www.medqic.org.
Registration is required with LHCR and the Web site for access.
Contact Jack Olden at LHCR for more information at 225-926-6353 or e-mail at jolden@lhcr.org.

There is NO COST to the Home Health Agency for any of the resources, training, or consultations from LHCR.

LHCR assistance to HHAs includes:
  • Help to interpret OASIS outcome reports
  • Target clinical areas for improvement
  • Identify processes which will improve outcomes
  • Develop and implement plans to change care processes
  • Provide training programs and consultation
  • Help HHAs monitor the progress of changed care processes
  • Provide resources to HHAs including "best practices" for "best outcomes"
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For more Quality Improvement
resources, visit www.medqic.org

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