Background
Nursing home regulations require providers to implement QAPI programs that use a data-driven systems approach to improve quality of life. The hallmark of the QAPI program is involving all staff members in developing creative, effective solutions to make the nursing home a better place to work and live.
Introduction
In this QAPI video series, a QAPI team scheduled four consultations with QI experts to walk through best practices for starting and leading a successful PIP/QIP. Important decisions to consider when starting a performance improvement plan, as well as easy-to-access tools and resources, are highlighted to facilitate the QI process. Below you’ll find videos, a facilitator guide, and the PIP Charter Template.
Audience
Quality improvement teams in the long-term settings of care, inclusive of administration, management, and direct care staff.
Goals & Objectives
- Assist QAPI teams with essential competencies to drive a successful performance improvement plan in the long-term setting of care.
- Identify what are the key decisions, the relevance of those decisions, and the value of why that is important in the QI process.
- Instill confidence in implementing a sustainable person-centered QAPI program
Who should complete this course?
This course is designed for professionals who participate in or lead Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives in nursing homes and other long-term care settings. It is particularly valuable for organizations seeking to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, implement Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs), and foster a culture of continuous quality improvement.
The course is appropriate for:
- Nursing Home Administrators (NHAs)
- Executive Directors
- Directors of Nursing (DONs) and Assistant Directors of Nursing (ADONs)
- QAPI Coordinators and Quality Improvement Specialists
- MDS Coordinators
- Staff Development Coordinators and Clinical Educators
- Social Services Directors and Social Workers
- Activities and Life Enrichment Professionals
- Rehabilitation Directors and Therapy Staff
- Infection Preventionists
- Dietary and Nutrition Services Managers
- Environmental Services and Housekeeping Leaders
- Admissions, Marketing, and Customer Experience Leaders
- Interdisciplinary Team Members involved in resident care planning
- Corporate Clinical and Quality Leaders
- Long-Term Care Consultants and Survey Readiness Specialists
Course Outline and Objectives
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) is most effective when it moves beyond regulatory compliance to become a systematic approach for improving the quality of care and quality of life for residents. Successful Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs) engage interdisciplinary teams, use data to guide decision-making, and place resident preferences at the center of organizational change.
This course follows the Preference-Based Living QAPI Training Video Series, providing a structured roadmap for developing, implementing, and sustaining a person-centered Performance Improvement Project. Participants will learn practical strategies for identifying improvement priorities, assembling an effective project team, developing measurable goals, and communicating progress to residents, families, staff, and organizational leaders.
Throughout the course, learners will complete activities that culminate in a fully developed Performance Improvement Project they can begin implementing within their own organization. This course is about 1 hour long.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the purpose of CMS’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) framework.
- Differentiate Quality Assurance from Performance Improvement.
- Identify organizational priorities suitable for a Performance Improvement Project (PIP).
- Utilize quality improvement tools, including SWOT analysis and PIP Charters.
- Assemble and lead an interdisciplinary QAPI team.
- Develop SMART goals and measurable quality indicators.
- Create an actionable Performance Improvement Plan using the PDSA framework.
- Communicate improvement efforts effectively to residents, families, staff, and leadership.
- Develop strategies for sustaining person-centered quality improvement initiatives.
Lessons
Lesson 1
Identifying Your “Why”: Selecting a Quality Improvement Opportunity
Objectives: To understand the purpose of Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI), identify opportunities for quality improvement, recognize the importance of resident-centered problem identification, use tools such as SWOT analysis and root cause analysis to prioritize improvement efforts, and begin developing a Performance Improvement Project (PIP).
Includes:
- Welcome and Course Overview
- Video 1
- Reflection Activity
Lesson 2
Building Your Team: Creating an Effective Performance Improvement Project
Objectives: To learn how to build an interdisciplinary QAPI team, identify project champions and key stakeholders, define team roles and responsibilities, foster collaboration, and complete a Performance Improvement Project (PIP) Charter.
Includes:
Knowledge Check
Video 2
Lesson 3
Building Your Plan: Developing a Successful Performance Improvement Project
Objectives: To learn how to develop SMART goals, create an actionable project plan, identify process and outcome measures, establish implementation timelines, and apply the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to guide continuous quality improvement.
Includes:
Knowledge Check
Video 3
Lesson 4
Communicating Success: Implementing and Sustaining Quality Improvement
Objectives: To learn how to communicate project goals and progress with residents, families, staff, and leadership; promote engagement across the organization; evaluate project outcomes; develop strategies to sustain improvements over time; and assess your learning upon completion of the course.
Includes:
Video 4
Course Post-Assessment