NAPH Provides More Information on National Quality Strategy - April 6, 2011

As reported in Newsline on March 23, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care. The strategy incorporated many of NAPH’s priorities, which were outlined in comments submitted to HHS Secretary Sebelius on Oct. 15, 2010.NAPH’s input on the initial plan noted the lack of attention on disparities in care, which is now highlighted prominently in HHS’s set of principles. Further, the strategy’s final discussion of cardiovascular disease includes NAPH’s proposal to focus on diseases that can be addressed from across the continuum of care. Attention to culturally relevant and accessible care is also evident. Lastly, HHS also incorporated NAPH’s call for consistency between state and national measures, as well as requests to keep health care local and flexible.

The updated strategy establishes national, state and local priorities through the articulation of three aims for the health care system: better care, healthy people and communities, and affordable care. These aims are focused by six priorities, which will lead initial efforts. The six aims are:

1. Bolstering safety by reducing harm caused in the delivery of care
2. Ensuring that each person and family are engaged as partners
3. Promoting effective communication and coordination
4. Promoting the most effective prevention and treatment practices for the leading causes of mortality, starting with cardiovascular disease
5. Working with communities to promote healthy living
6. Making quality care more affordable for individuals, families, employers and governments.

HHS also released 10 principles that will direct how health care services are provided and how institutions, caregivers and health professionals conduct their activities.

1. Person-centeredness and family engagement
2. Specific health considerations
3. Eliminating disparities in care
4. Aligning the efforts of public and private sectors
5. Quality improvement
6. Consistent national standards
7. Greater focus on primary care
8. Enhanced coordination
9. Integration of care delivery
10. Proving clear information

The National Quality Strategy will be reviewed and updated annually.