News Releases

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG), the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) of Arizona, was awarded three special study contracts from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The special study contracts are:

• Coordination of the National Implementation of the Hospital CAHPS (HCAHPS) Survey
• Identification and Synthesis of Components Essential to Achieving 'High Performer' Status in Various Provider Types
• Measures Management: Developing a Decision-Making Process to Support CMS in Determining if Existing Quality Measures Should be Retained, Amended, or Refined

CMS also selected HSAG as a subcontractor on a fourth study for "Best Practice Methods." On this contract, HSAG will work with Qualis Health, the QIO of Washington.

For the HCAPHS study, HSAG will partner with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), RAND, Westat, and expert consultants from the Harvard Medical School to design and implement a strategy for the national implementation of the HCAHPS. The HCAHPS is a standard survey instrument used to collect and report information on hospital patients' perspectives on the care they receive.

The purpose of the "High Performer" study is to identify and study high performing providers and share study findings with QIOs and providers-at-large in an attempt to change behavior and enhance organizational performance.

For the "Measures Management" study, HSAG will provide technical assistance and support to CMS in the coordination of a comprehensive quality performance measurement strategy. RAND will be a subcontractor to HSAG on this study.

On the "Best Practice Methods" study, HSAG will work with Qualis Health to assist CMS and the QIO community in answering questions regarding best practice interventions used by external change agents to influence health care providers.

For more information about the four CMS special study projects or HSAG portfolio of Quality Improvement Services, contact Debbie Nixon, Vice President, Corporate Development & Communications at 602 665 6108 or dnixon@hsag.com

About Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG)
For 25 years HSAG has provided innovative leadership on health care quality improvement projects for Federal, state and private sector clients. Founded by a group of medical professionals in 1979, HSAG is one of most experienced quality improvement organizations in the nation. HSAG is recognized as an agent of change in the health care industry because of the company's successful collaboration with providers across the continuum of care. To learn more, visit http://www.hsag.com.