05/10/2004-Nursing Homes in New York Continue Improvements Under National Nursing Home Quality Initiative

Lake Success, N.Y., May 10, 2004 - As part of National Nursing Home Week (May 9 through May 15), which began on Mother's Day, New York State nursing homes are highlighting their progress in improving quality of care through the national Nursing Home Quality Initiative (NHQI).

The quality initiative was launched in 2002 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to improve the quality of nursing home care across the nation. The initiative is part of a national Quality Initiative that also focuses on improving the quality of care in home health agencies and hospitals.

100 of New York State's 682 nursing homes are intensively pursuing quality improvement efforts through onsite technical assistance and education provided by IPRO.

In New York's nursing homes, there have been improvements in care in several areas. Use of physical restraints dropped from 7.09 percent to 5.07 percent. Post-acute care pain percentages dropped from 21.27 to 17.53; for chronic pain, a reduction from 8.54 percent to 4.60 percent was reported.

"IPRO applauds the intensive group of New York State nursing homes for their efforts to improve care, and we are working with them to help spread their knowledge to the other nursing homes in New York. We are pleased with the current progress in improving the overall quality of care nursing homes provide their residents," said Pauline Kinney, Director of NHQI at IPRO.

The national quality initiative is an important step in CMS's comprehensive quality strategy, which consists of four elements:

Regulation and enforcement activities conducted by State Survey Agencies and CMS;
Improved consumer information on the quality of care provided;
Continual, community-based quality improvement programs for nursing homes; and
Collaboration and partnerships to leverage knowledge and resources.

National Nursing Home Week, which was established by the American Health Care Association, helps focus national attention on the importance of quality of care in nursing homes.

Seniors and their caregivers can find valuable information about nursing homes by visiting www.medicare.gov and clicking on Nursing Home Compare. The site also provides tips for making informed decisions about health care. Seniors and caregivers without Internet access may call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance.

IPRO, New York State's Medicare quality improvement organization, is under contract with CMS to improve the quality of health care for people with Medicare.

Contact:

Dennis Tartaglia

212/481-7000

Spencer Vibbert

516/326-7767 ext. 652