AQAIP

The QAPI plan

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Introduction

The QAPI regulations require the development of a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) plan by every nursing home. QAPI plan can enhance the quality of care for individuals and can assist in achieving the national goals by reducing costs in the healthcare delivery system. QAPI plan is actually the combination of both quality assurance (QA) and performance improvement (PI). It enhances competencies in an organization to resolve quality related problems and grab new opportunities. In this plan, caregivers become active partners for the purpose of performance improvement. In this essay, I being the administrator of a new nursing home; prime care will discuss the purpose of my nursing home QAPI plan and will identify the potential topics for PIPs.

Purpose of QAPI plan:

The vision statement, mission statement, and the guiding principles have been used for the development of QAPI plan.

Prime care vision statement:

Creation of an environment where everyone will get respect and good relations.

Prime care mission statement:

We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all stakeholders by regarding their uniqueness and freedom. Our services will touch people’s hearts and minds.

Our QAPI plan stresses over the improvements that can promote the care and experience of patients in a nursing home. It will be used as a guidance for prime care’s performance enhancement exertions. The plan can also enhance the work environment for caregivers as a result of the use of a systematic approach. Moreover, the plan is developed to enhance the quality of systems in order to achieve compliance with nursing home regulations. For this, all members get involve and identify opportunities for upgrading. They identify gaps in systems and plan interventions accordingly. Current focus areas consist of all systems affecting patient and family satisfaction and the quality of life of persons working in prime care. QAPI committee will revise the plan annually and will communicate the revisions to board members, inhabitants, families as well as to staff. In addition, the plan will be accessible to a state agency and will show the ways prime care has constructed, executed as well as retained quality program.

Identifying potential topics for PIPS:

A Performance Improvement Project (PIP) refers to the concerted effort on a specific problem within the health care system. The effort consists of collecting information systematically in order to clarify problems and to intervene for improvements. Thus, it is the translation of data into action. For this purpose, the first step is to identify what information is required for the PIP. Scope of the PIPS is defined and a timeline is decided and communicated to the Steering Committee. If there is need of any supplies or equipment, these are also requested. Here, there is a need to prioritize those opportunities that require rigorous upgrading exertions. The best mechanism to do this to get involved in discussions. Then select those issues that have high importance. The criteria for this can be either high risk or high frequency.

The QAPI committee can use the PSDA model to identify potential topics for PIPS. During the PLANNING stage, there is more focus on problem and plans for their improvements. The QAPI committee can evaluate data on a monthly basis in order to get potential topics for PIPs. Then during the DO stage, the plan is accomplished. At the third stage; STUDY team reviews and sum up the learning process. The final stage; ACT requires the assessment about the future requirements. Our QAPI committee at prime care will screen and examine data to review for feedback. Residents and other stakeholders will provide feedback. The committee will look into issues and concerns that require improvements in terms of quality. All these measures will be publically reported.