May 3, 2024
With the Minimum Staffing Rule finalized and acuity increasing in post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) facilities, retaining experienced staff has never been more crucial. The good news is that facility leaders don’t need to face these challenges alone. The latest More of a Good Thing: A Framework to Grow and Strengthen the PALTC Careforce—Here to Help: Partnering With Your QIN-QIO to Implement Retention Strategies—is set for May 9 at 4:00 PM ET and will share insights about how to partner on quality improvement efforts that promote retention.
“This roundtable discussion is an opportunity to help people understand how practitioners can tap into their QIOs to get support on their retention efforts,” says Carolyn Kazdan, senior director of healthcare quality Improvement for IPRO, who is one of the program’s presenters. Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organizations (QIN-QIOs) work directly with nursing homes, health-care providers , and partnerships for community health, serving primarily rural and underserved areas to improve the quality and safety of care for people with Medicare.
“While not every facility is fully engaged with the work that we do, any facility can be involved with their regional QIN-QIO and use its education and resources,” says Ms. Kazdan. Thursday’s program will help participants visualize how they can partner with their QIN-QIO to implement sustainable retention strategies.
Participants also will have an opportunity to hear from their colleagues about ways they are using quality improvement to engage and retain staff. Amy Daly, senior quality improvement specialist at IPRO and the other program presenter, notes, “We want to meet participants where they are and give them resources, best practices, and information they can take away and use in their settings right away.”
Involving staff in quality improvement is an important way to promote retention, Ms. Daly stresses, “When staff are engaged in quality processes, helping to improve their own work environment, and working together to do so really boosts teamwork and engagement.” This is especially true for frontline staff who get to see the results of their efforts and take pride in their contributions to positive outcomes. Ms. Daly notes that it is important to communicate the results of quality improvement efforts. She says, “When it comes to quality improvement, you don’t need grandiose projects. Make time for small wins and recognize the good things as they happen.”
New leaders may not be aware of the full range of no-cost services provided by QIN-QIOs. In essence, these organizations are designed to bring together Medicare beneficiaries, providers, and communities in data-driven initiatives to increase patient safety and improve clinical quality, Ms. Kazdan says.
“If you’re not already engaged with your QIO, reach out immediately. If you already have a connection, consider looking at your involvement through the lens of retention and quality improvement,” Ms. Kazdan urges. Ask your QIO what resources and mentoring supports are available to help staff see the value of quality improvement and the positive impact of engaging in quality on job satisfaction and retention.
As always, this free roundtable will begin with a brief presentation, followed by Q&A and discussion. Register for the program now.