NHPCO NewsLine Spring 2021 - 15

This is a very exciting time for NHPCO and for
providers regarding new programs focused on
quality of person-centered care. On January 27, we
officially launched NHPCO's Quality Connections
program for member hospice and palliative care
providers. And this new year also brings Project
ECHO to NHPCO members and the broader
provider community. Here is information about both
of these innovative programs.

QUALITY CONNECTIONS
Quality Connections is a new program designed to
enhance the knowledge base, skills, and competency
of hospice and palliative care professionals and
providers. Through education, tools, resources, and
opportunities for engagement and interaction, QC
participants will achieve and sustain continuous
quality improvement.
NHPCO is committed to helping our members
provide the best care possible to patients and their
loved ones. Continuous quality improvement is key.
QC is a benefit of NHPCO provider membership and
within a few days of launching the program, 160
hospice organizations enrolled in the program to
being their QC journey.
We share an introduction to Quality Connections.

example, the Measures of Excellence data set
provides benchmarking of operational and clinical
data points and also is a repository for your data.
Outcomes of the data set provide opportunities for
performance improvement. The content in each
pillar's activities dovetail with QAPI principles to
drive continuous quality improvement forward.
Four pillars
QC is structured around four fundamental pillars
which are represented by four QC rings: Education;
Application; Measurement; and Innovation.

Education

Application

Measurement

Innovation

Each pillar has specific activities incorporating
practical resources to progressively track and
improve both clinical and organizational quality.
Activities such as quarterly data reporting and
benchmarking, NHPCO's E-Online courses, peer
case studies, and engagement will be part of an
organization's quality journey.
Additionally, within each of the four pillars of the
Quality Connections program, members will find
activities that are focused on promoting diversity,
access, and inclusion within your organization and
with the communities you serve. By sharing best
practices and promoting equity in access to care,
participating organizations will lift up the entire
field, making health care better for patients and
families across the country.

NHPCO would like to thank

Building on existing QAPI programs
For organizations that already have an established
quality improvement program, Quality Connections
can build on and streamline what they already have
in place. The QC program can serve as a framework
and guide for an organization's QAPI program. For

gold sponsors of Quality Connections who share
our vision for continuous quality improvement
throughout our provider community.

Newsline / Spring 2021

15
https://www.nhpco.org/qualityconnections/
NHPCO NewsLine Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine Spring 2021
