SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-A Unique Collaboration to Improve Nursing Facility Care

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MQIHA-ECHO is a collaborative Project ECHO program in New Mexico designed to improve nursing facility care, quality measures, and reduce avoidable hospitalizations. It was created in response to challenges faced by the state’s 70 nursing facilities, many of which are rural and isolated and lack access to a shared learning platform. The program partners with the New Mexico Human Services Department and managed care organizations to build a community of nursing facilities focused on local needs and quality improvement.<br /><br />During summer 2020, the program held eight sessions centered on COVID-19 topics to support nursing facility participants during the public health emergency. Attendees typically included directors of nursing, administrators, and center directors, with occasional participation from social workers and infection preventionists. On average, each session had 43 unique participants from 22 facilities.<br /><br />Evaluation was based on standard continuing education feedback forms. Although response rates were low (8%–18%), feedback was consistently positive and attendance increased over time. Participants rated the sessions highly, with 93% saying the content was very good to excellent in relevance to the objectives and 95% rating the opportunities to ask questions similarly high. Comments highlighted the value of expert input, time for questions, and group discussion.<br /><br />Overall, MQIHA-ECHO combines case discussions and focused teaching to address CMS quality measures. Its flexibility to rapidly respond to changing public health guidance and participant needs was seen as a key strength, helping sustain engagement and reinforce the program’s role as a useful learning forum for nursing facilities.

Asset Subtitle

Krystle D. Apodaca

Meta Tag

Author List Cynthia Olivas, Eva Angeli, Krystle D. Apodaca, Marisa Marquez, Sanjeev Arora

Category Innovations

Concept MQIHA-ECHO Program

Concept Nursing Facility

Concept Quality Measure

Concept Avoidable Hospitalization

Concept All-Teach All-Learn Model

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of New Mexico

Presenting Author Krystle D. Apodaca

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

MQIHA-ECHO

Project ECHO

nursing facilities

New Mexico

quality improvement

avoidable hospitalizations

COVID-19 sessions

continuing education

managed care organizations

public health guidance

MQIHA-ECHO Program

Nursing Facility

Quality Measure

Avoidable Hospitalization

All-Teach All-Learn Model