In a blog post, Patrick Conway, MD, CMS’ acting principal deputy administrator and CMO, said the new organizations will be part of the Quality Improvement Organization initiative and will continue the work done by Hospital Engagement Networks since 2012.
“The further integration of work across these influential networks will permit the continued and increased systematic use of proven practices to improve patient safety and reduce readmissions, at a national scale in all U.S. hospitals,” Dr. Conway wrote.
However, the HIIN program seems to be the end for HENs, as Dr. Conway wrote, “Organizations who were a HEN in the first and second rounds of the Partnership for Patients or QIOs and other organizations…are welcome to submit a proposal for the HIIN opportunity, but will compete for selection against all other organizations submitting proposals.”
The American Hospital Association, which was involved in the HEN program, plans to “actively engage with CMS on the new Hospital Improvement Innovation Networks initiative,” AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said, according to AHA News.
Find more information on the request for proposal here.
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Patient safety tool: AHRQ assessment identifies adverse events among children
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