Quality Improvement & Patient Safety

Hospital inpatients experienced an estimated 2.7 million harm events in 2016, accounting for $29 billion in costs, and leading to more than 80,000 deaths. CMS estimates that about 44% of these events and deaths are preventable. IHA has been part of a nationwide effort to reduce all causes of inpatient harm beginning with the Hospital Engagement Network in 2012 and now as part of the Hospital Quality Improvement Contract (HQIC). With participating hospitals across the state and nation, both lives and costs have been saved and the overall delivery of healthcare in our communities continues to improve. 

Hospital Quality Improvement Contract

IHA, in partnership with Telligen QI Connect, supports rural hospitals, critical access hospitals and hospitals serving vulnerable populations including those in medically underserved areas, with chronic conditions or disability, and who have low income or are homeless. By facilitating community and hospital collaboration in quality improvement initiatives and the spread of evidence-based practice, we help to bridge the gap between patient safety, public health, healthcare quality and emergency management.

  • Adverse Drug Events (ADE)
  • Opioid Stewardship
  • Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI)
  • Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)
  • Antibiotic Stewardship – Including Clostridium Difficile Bacterial Infection
  • Injury from Falls and Immobility
  • Pressure Ulcer Prevention
  • Sepsis and Septic Shock
  • Surgical Site Infections
  • Hospital Readmissions and Care Transitions
  • Public Health Emergency Preparedness & COVID-19 Response
  • Bear Lake Memorial Hospital
  • Benewah Community Hospital
  • Bingham Memorial Hospital
  • Bonner General Health
  • Boundary Community Hospital
  • Caribou Medical Center
  • Cascade Medical Center
  • Clearwater Valley Health
  • Franklin County Medical Center
  • Gritman Medical Center
  • Lost Rivers Medical Center
  • Madison Health
  • Minidoka Memorial Hospital
  • Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital
  • North Canyon Medical Center
  • Power County Hospital District
  • Shoshone Medical Center
  • St. Mary’s Health
  • Steele Memorial Medical Center
  • Syringa Hospital & Clinics
  • Teton Valley Health Care
  • Valor Health
  • Weiser Memorial Hospital

Peer Review Network

Through IHA’s Ventures subsidiary, healthcare organizations are afforded the opportunity to participate in a unique, highly secure, cloud-based peer review system. Designed for both external and internal reviews, the system supports hospitals’ and clinics’ efforts at achieving higher levels of healthcare quality.

Credentialing Review

IHA continues to be a qualified entity in Idaho’s State Rural Health Plan to perform the CMS-required biennial credentialing reviews. IHA's quality team has the expertise and resources needed for you to meet the CAH Conditions of Participation and stay up to date on federal and state credentialing guidelines.

Quality Assurance Review

IHA continues to be a qualified entity in Idaho’s State Rural Health Plan to perform the CMS-required annual quality reviews. IHA's quality team has the expertise and resources needed to assist you in meeting the CAH Conditions of Participation and stay up to date on federal and state guidelines.

Swing Bed Review

Assuring that all rules are met with Medicare’s complex Swing Bed program can be a difficult task. IHA’s team can help assure your hospital is meeting the CMS Conditions of Participation that are required under Appendix W and PP when moving patients from acute to skilled care. Success in this area allows hospitals to assist patients in reaching their highest potential for health and independence prior to returning to home.

Discharge Planning Process Review

CMS revised discharge planning requirements for CAHs to better align with those of acute care hospitals. The goal of these revisions includes improving transitions of care and reducing hospital readmissions. The purpose of this review is to evaluate your hospital’s current compliance with the requirements found under these regulations and provide you with any identified opportunities for improvement for areas not in compliance.

EMTALA Review

CMS has placed increased scrutiny on EMTALA compliance in CAHs via the CMS State Operations Manual. EMTALA violations, regardless of intent, can be very costly to a hospital and result in the withdrawal of Medicare eligibility. The purpose of this review is to evaluate current regulatory compliance and improve patient care for your hospital's emergency services.

Infection Prevention & AMS Program Review

CMS revised IPC requirements and have added requirements for AMS in CAHs. The goal of these revisions includes, improving hospital infection surveillance; identification and containment of hospital and community acquired infections; and preventing the mutation and spread of MDROs. The purpose of this review is to evaluate your hospital’s current compliance with the requirements found under these regulations and provide you with any identified opportunities for improvement for areas not in compliance.

Staff Contacts

Nicole Hernandez 208.489.1372 info@teamiha.org

Karen Leach
208.489.1406 info@teamiha.org