CMS Quality Conference Recap

CMS Quality Conference

Telligen joined over 6,000 in-person and virtual attendees April 8-10, at the 2024 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Conference. The conference theme was “Resilient and Ready Together: Creating an Optimal Environment for Quality Healthcare for Individuals, Families and Communities” and included sessions on today’s most important topics surrounding healthcare, quality improvement and health equity. Team members attended a variety of sessions, networked with leaders in the industry and contributed to valuable conversations on improving healthcare for all.

The 2024 CMS Quality Conference included insightful sessions about workforce resilience, opioid stewardship, care for complex patients, cybersecurity, health equity, accessible care and much more. Telligen team members took a deep dive into the conference’s quality improvement discussions and were challenged by CMS to make quality part of the culture.

Two topics stood out to Tracey Durns, MBA, Telligen’s Senior Director of Quality Improvement. In one session, she learned about building a climate resistant sustainable health system. “Climate change is one of the greatest health threats of our time. It worsens health, increases healthcare costs and disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities.” In another session, she looked at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to drive and measure quality improvement. “We all have a role to play in driving the appropriate use of artificial intelligence. Responsible AI has the potential to improve the health and wellbeing of our nation.”

Telligen’s emergency preparedness clinical subject matter expert Brian Feist, BSN, RN, presented a breakout session titled, “Strengthening Nursing Home Emergency Preparedness: Insights from Telligen’s Online Assessment Tool and Collaborative Strategies for Resilience.” Access the presentation here.

Brian discussed emergency preparedness in nursing homes which is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable populations, especially amid the challenges resulting from the pandemic. Brian’s session also covered lessons learned from 400+ completed assessments across a four-state region, Telligen’s collaboration with nursing home corporations to enhance testing, training plans and system-level awareness for improvement, and best practices to foster a culture of readiness and resilience, ultimately ensuring the health and safety of residents and staff during crises.

Telligen’s Medical Director, Christine LaRocca, MD, was honored to share accomplishments on behalf of the Hospital Quality Improvement Contractors (HQICs) during the “CMS Quality Improvement & Innovation Successes: The 12th Statement of Work Experience.” Dr. LaRocca shared successes resulting from HQIC’s technical assistance support for hospitals in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid crisis and disparities in healthcare.

“It’s a privilege to showcase and celebrate the impacts of the HQIC program – none of which would have been possible without the hard work of the resilient, dedicated healthcare workers in rural hospitals and communities throughout the United States who work to improve the quality of care.”

At the Gallery Walk, Telligen showcased two posters:

  • Making the Right Connections Leads to Success for Oklahoma ACO: Telligen’s Enhanced Technical Assistance Helped an ACO Surpass Goals for A1c Measure Improvement

This poster demonstrated how Telligen provided enhanced technical assistance to an organization in Oklahoma on their Quality Payment Program (QPP) diabetes measure, resulting in a 60% decrease in overall missing or uncontrolled A1c levels.

  • Innovative Recognition Programs: Safeguarding Nursing Homes in the Wake of COVID-19 & Beyond

This poster demonstrated how Telligen has initiated two successful nursing home recognition programs that are strategically designed to engage partners, boost staff morale, increase COVID-19 vaccinations and identify gaps in care.

Durns sums up the 2024 CMS Quality Conference as “an incredible journey of learning, collaboration and connection.” Telligen team members are re-energized and inspired to continue working toward equitable and person-centered care. With quality at the core of everything we do, Telligen remains committed to improving health outcomes.

Revisit presentations and view video recordings of the 2024 CMS Quality Conference under the Past Conferences tab.

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