ABSTRACT
The purpose and goals of the 2010-2011 Home Health Quality Improvement (HHQI) National Campaign are outlined in this manuscript, including key campaign enhancements implemented since the first initiative began in 2007. A summary of the campaign's design and progress to date is also included, featuring HHQI educational and informational resources, participant incentives, and campaign evaluation.
Subject(s)
Health Promotion/organization & administration , Home Care Agencies/organization & administration , Quality Improvement , Female , Home Care Services/organization & administration , Humans , Male , Quality Assurance, Health Care , United StatesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Assess impact of nationwide home health quality improvement campaign to reduce acute care hospitalization of home health recipients. DESIGN: Observational pre-post comparison of self-selected participating and non-participating agencies' quality performance; survey to determine uptake of program materials. SETTING: US home health care agencies. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 147 agencies with 147 non-participating agencies matched on patient length of service, pre-intervention hospitalization rate and pre-intervention rate of change in hospitalization rate. INTERVENTION(S): Public events; provision of educational packages and technical assistance; quality measure feedback. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Post-intervention difference in risk-adjusted acute care hospitalization rate between participants and non-participants; difference in self-reported campaign material use between agencies whose hospitalization rate declined 2% or more and those whose rates increased by 2% or more. RESULTS: Hospitalization rate had a negative trend beginning before the campaign. In the matched pairs studied, it did not differ significantly between participants and non-participants, or from pre- to post-intervention period (28% in every case). Agencies that improved were more likely to report activities consistent with the campaign and using campaign interventions than those not improving (P < 0.001), regardless of participation status. CONCLUSIONS: Merely agreeing to participate in the campaign did not improve performance, but effective participation through adoption of campaign methods did.
Subject(s)
Home Care Services , Patient Readmission , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Observation , Program Evaluation , United StatesABSTRACT
Home health agencies are in a position to respond to patient and healthcare system needs by implementing strategies targeted at reducing avoidable hospitalizations. Many different interventions exist that home care agencies can use in achieving the national goal to reduce avoidable acute care hospitalizations. This article provides an overview of the Home Health Quality Improvement (HHQI) National Campaign and the efforts directed toward this initiative. This overview explains the 4 best practices explored in depth by the campaign participants.
