Iowa Nursing Home Quality Coalition Charter

Meeting Details  

Meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month. The meeting schedule is posted on the Coalition HUB page.  The meetings will be offered on Teams and held in Room 203 of the Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240. 

 

Key Participants 

Nursing Home Administrators, Directors of Nursing, and other key staff members, with representatives from the Iowa GWEP, Csomay Center, Johnson County Public Health, Iowa Health Care (UIHC), Telligen, Iowa Ombudsman’s Office, AARP, Alzheimer’s Association, and various University of Iowa faculty. 

 

Our Vision 

To ensure every older adult in Iowa receives exceptional care and compassion, fostering a community where dignity, respect, and well-being are at the forefront. We aim to create an environment of continuous improvement in quality and service, where the voices of residents and their families are valued and integrated into our approach. Together, we strive for a future where every nursing home embodies the highest standards of care, promoting physical, emotional, and social well-being for all older Iowans and have the resources they need to provide that level of care. 

 

Our Mission 

Our mission is to advocate for and implement the highest standards of care in nursing homes across Iowa, ensuring that every older adult receives respectful, compassionate, and individualized care. We are dedicated to fostering an environment of continuous improvement through collaboration with residents, families, staff, and community partners. By championing the best practices and innovative solutions, we aim to enhance the quality of life and well-being of all older Iowans in nursing homes. 

 

Our Purpose 

Our purpose is to unite stakeholders across Iowa in a collaborative effort to enhance the quality of life for older adults in nursing homes. Through advocacy, education, and innovation, we are committed to empowering residents, families, and caregivers. We strive to create a sustainable and person-centered care model that ensures every older adult in Iowa is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. 

 

Benefits of participation include: 

  • Collaboration and Networking: Build meaningful relationships with other professionals and organizations dedicated to improving nursing home care. Share insights, experiences, and solutions that can drive collective progress. 

  • Advocacy and Influence: Participate in shaping policies and initiatives that directly impact the quality of care in nursing homes. Your voice contributes to positive changes at the state level. 

  • Professional Development: Gain access to training sessions, workshops, and seminars led by experts in the field. Stay updated with the latest trends, regulations, and best practices in elder care. 

  • Support System: Benefit from a network of like-minded individuals who are passionate about enhancing the lives of older adults. Find encouragement and motivation from peers facing similar challenges. 

  • Recognition and Credibility: Being part of a respected coalition can enhance your reputation. Showcase your commitment to excellence and quality improvement to residents, families, and the community. 

  • Data-Driven Insights: Access data and analytics that can help measure performance, identify areas for improvement, and track progress over time. Make informed decisions based on reliable information. 

  • Resource Efficiency: Pool resources and expertise to address common challenges more effectively. Share tools, templates, and frameworks that can streamline processes and reduce duplication of efforts. 

  • Innovation and Best Practices: Stay ahead of the curve by learning about innovative approaches and best practices in elder care. Implement cutting-edge solutions that can enhance the well-being of residents. 

  • Emergency Preparedness: Participate in regular tabletop exercises and training sessions to ensure your facility is well-prepared for emergencies. Build resilience and confidence in handling crises. 

  • Community Impact: Contribute to the overall improvement of nursing home care in Iowa. Make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults and their families across the state. 

     

Requirements of Participation 

  1. Join the Csomay Center (no cost). 

  1. Provide demographic details for the Iowa GWEP by taking this quick, one-time survey: https://igec.uiowa.edu/iowa-nh-coalition-demographic-form. We do not collect or share any information that identifies you personally. Your information is only to help our Program continue to provide education at no cost.

  1. Attend and participate in meetings monthly, which are available in person and online.  Please send a representative if you are unable to attend. 

  1. Actively participate in two tabletop exercises per year sponsored by Johnson County Public Health. 

  1. Collect data on selected quality initiatives. 

 

Coalition Goals 

  • Reduce falls, re-hospitalizations & potentially avoidable ED visits (targets below) -  

  • Falls will be reduced by 15% at each individual location.

  • we are measuring total number of falls, total number of fallers, number of people who fall >2 times in a month, and number of falls with major injury.  This data will be password protected on the website. 

  • Hospitalizations will be reduced by 10% at each individual location.

  • we are measuring total number of residents admitted to the hospital per month, reason for admission. 

  • ED visits will be reduced by 10% at each individual location.

  • we are measuring total number of ED visits per month, reason for transfer. 

  • OVERALL GOAL: aim for below the Iowa State averages as listed in Care Compare: Falls with major injury: 3.6%, ED visits: 1.99%, Hospitalizations: 1.42% (per 1000 residents).  If you are already better than the average, just focusing on improving your program. 

  • Improve quality star ratings on Care Compare: 3 or higher. 

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