Coordination with other health care providers and community partners is what moves the needle on population health and complex causes of avoidable utilization, like adverse drug events, overdoses and poorly managed chronic conditions. It can be the difference between success and failure in ACOs and other value-based payment models.

But bringing the right parties together takes time and effort, which is where the Healthcare Quality Innovation Network’s (HQIN) no-cost quality improvement services can help. For example, HQIN convened local hospitals and nursing homes to strengthen post-discharge communication and implement processes to improve sepsis survival. HQIN has also helped health systems establish community health worker initiatives in rural areas; connected community pharmacies with practices for medication review programs; and extended the reach of health department resources.

HQIN is funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to align with your existing quality improvement programs and increase their impact. Visit www.hqin.org to learn more, read our fact sheet, or contact Sheila McLean at smclean@hqi.solutions in Kansas, Dana Lammert at dlammert@hqi.solutions in Missouri, Karen Southard at ksouthard@thecarolinascenter.org in South Carolina and Carla Thomas at cthomas@hqi.solutions in Virginia.