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Home arrow Vol XXVI, Feb `07
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Vol XXVI, Feb `07
Due to ongoing scheduling conflicts, the LTC-QI Partnership was unable to hold our annual meeting with our National Quality Coalition (NQC) this year. Instead, we are using this e-Newsletter as a forum to share our updates and elicit the NQC’s feedback.

NQC Update

The NQC last met in June 2005. As of that meeting,:
  • The seven homes in Pennsylvania, our pilot state, were involved in their second data collection period (remeasurement); and
  • The remaining 37 study facilities were beginning or about to begin the baseline data collection.
Twenty months later, February 2007 marks the end of all three data collection periods (baseline, nine months, and 15 months).

As we move to complete data collection this month, we have identified several nursing home barriers to collecting and submitting data on schedule. The two most prevalent barriers have been:
  • Staff turnover; and
  • Facilities with competing priorities (e.g., undergoing the state survey process).
Despite these barriers, participating homes are moving forward and are on schedule to complete their last study requirement this month.

No-Cost Extension Year

During recruitment for this project, we experienced delays in recruiting and enrolling participating nursing facilities due to:
  • High facility turnover
  • Natural disasters
  • Restrictive inclusion/exclusion criteria
  • Some study drop-out
These barriers have had a significant impact on our timeline, delaying the third and final data collection until February 2007. Because the final data collection will provide valuable information on the sustainability of CPG implementation in the participating nursing facilities, LTC-QI leadership felt it was critical to continue the study past its scheduled end in October 2006.

As a result, in September 2006, study leadership requested a one-year no cost extension from our funding agency, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). AHRQ granted our request; the no-cost extension year extends the study until September 30, 2007.

Next Steps

During the 12-month period ending in September 2007, project staff will:
  • Work with homes to complete data collection
  • Provide homes with data feedback reports
  • Complete analyses of all study data
  • Modify study materials based on outcomes
We will also develop and implement a dissemination plan, including, but not limited to:
  • Creating a model to disseminate results
  • Writing and publishing study results
  • Presenting our findings at national meetings
Your Thoughts

As always, project staff are interested in your thoughts and input on our strategies and progress. With feedback, please contact Barbara Calabrese: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
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