QAPI Programs for New and Existing Agencies

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have defined QAPI as a coordinated approach to quality management. It combines two important aspects: Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement. QAPI aims to improve the quality of care provided to patients. Home health agencies are required to develop, implement, evaluate, and maintain an effective, ongoing, agency-wide QAPI program.

The QAPI program is designed to be data-driven and focuses on indicators that can help improve measurable health outcomes. This program should prioritize high-risk, high-volume, or problem-prone areas, patient safety, and quality of care. This includes but is not limited to readmissions, adverse events, falls, emergent care, infections, and the overall quality of care provided to patients.

The governing body of an agency is responsible for the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. They must appoint the QAPI Committee and define the quality improvement and patient safety program for the entire agency. Moreover, they have to make sure that the improvement efforts are prioritized and evaluated for their effectiveness.

The ultimate goal of a successful QAPI program is to minimize risk, improve the patient experience, improve agency outcomes, and achieve clinical excellence.

Are you struggling with your QAPI program? Let 21st Century Consultants be your guide! Our team of experts is ready to assist you with every aspect of your program, ensuring that you achieve the results you desire. Don't let your QAPI program hold you back any longer. Contact us today for unparalleled support and guidance.

For New Agencies

TIER 1 QAPI

Tier 1 applies to licensed and accredited agencies in their first year of business.

You'll Receive
  1. Review of Federal, State, and AO requirements related to QAPI
  2. Review of policies that address QAPI program scope, data, activities, performance improvement projects, and delegation of responsibilities
  3. Professional training and support in creating your QAPI program. Our clinician will review the required quality indicators your agency may use in your QAPI program during the first year.
  4. Tools to utilize as you gather the data (quality indicators) necessary for analysis.
  5. One-on-one support as you learn to audit clinical records and personnel files; limited to 4 calls.
  6. Professional audits for two (2) clinical records each month through the first year.
  7. Professional audits for two (2) personnel files each quarter through the first year.
  8. Professional review of your infection control program each quarter including logs, trends, and actions.
  9. Professional review of your client satisfaction surveys each quarter including logs, trends, and actions.
  10. Professional review of agency complaints each quarter including logs, trends, and actions.
  11. Professional review of agency incidents each quarter including logs, trends, and actions.
  12. Training and assistance with QAPI reports, quarterly meetings, and QAPI Committee minutes.
  13. Assisting with analyzing the data obtained and creating action plans from the quality indicators and audits at the end of the first year.
  14. Professional guidance on implementing a QAPI plan that will improve outcomes at the end of the first year.
  15. Year-end annual written report of QAPI compliance to the standards and regulations.
For Existing Agencies

TIER 2 QAPI

Tier 2 applies to established licensed, certified, accredited agencies that have completed at least one full year in business.

You'll Receive
  1. Items 1-13 in Tier 1 if the agency is over 1 year old and has not been compliant with QAPI requirements
  2. Training, assistance, and implementation of ‘performance improvement project(s)’
  3. Quarterly monitoring and evaluation of the identified performance improvement projects (PIP). Your agency must develop at least one PIP per year.
  4. Guidance with developing a process for prioritizing, developing, and implementing PIPs.
  5. Review and instruction on indicators/sources such as:
    • OASIS (iQIES)
    • HHCAHPS
    • PEPPER Reports
    • CASPER Reports
    • STAR RATING
  6. Guidance in training all skilled professional staff in the process of participating in the QAPI program.
  7. Virtual mock survey once per year with a focus on QAPI and emergency preparedness regulations.