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Message from the Executive Director |
Joint Quality Improvement
and Program Committee During 2001–2002, the Quality Improvement
and Program Committees joined forces to review a variety of CCI
activities. The Bylaws for CCI’s Board of Directors charge
the Quality Improvement Committee with evaluating the delivery of
care at CCI and recommending measures to promote high-quality services
to patients. The Program Committee ensures compliance with grant
and program requirements by monitoring the scope of services, eligibility
and enrollment, financial impacts, and risks associated with each
program. Working closely with CCI staff, the two committees
assessed the impacts of changes in CCI funding levels and identified
new health-related services that could help CCI better serve the
community. Following are some specific activities undertaken by
the Joint Committee and CCI staff during 2001–2002. Joint Committee Activities The Joint Committee monitored CCI’s quality
improvement activities, which include patient and staff satisfaction
surveys, medical and administrative chart reviews, patient complaint
and resolution processes, incident reports, the Policy and Procedures
Manual, provider productivity reports, and staff incentive programs.
• Discussed CCI’s associations with
managed-care organizations. • Learned about CCI’s preparation for
its first planned accreditation inspection by the Joint Commission
Accreditation for Health Organizations. • Reviewed CCI’s “Catch the Fever”
free thermometer program. The program was implemented over the past
two years. The Committee suggested evaluating the program, which
CCI staff did, by asking thermometer recipients how they used the
thermometer. As a followup, recipients who used the thermometer
incorrectly received instruction in how to use it properly. • Examined programs for funding prescriptions. • Discussed possible foundation funding for
specific CCI projects. • Explored the importance of and options
for training staff in cultural diversity and sensitivity. • Discussed meeting with community representatives
who serve the same population that CCI serves to discuss how to
improve services. Staff Activities • Briefed the Joint Committee on implementing
a new WIC statewide system in 2002. The system will automate WIC
check processing and distribution to participants which they will
receive at CCI sites. The improvement will mean a significant time
savings for both staff and participants, affording more time for
important nutrition education activities. • Outlined personnel retention statistics
and information from exit interviews with departing CCI staff. Aggregate
data reveals possible areas for improvements in human resource management.
• Described new federal requirements that will affect CCI’s operations. |
