Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

Delivering quality services - That is the main focus of the Quality Assurance Department.

The Quality Assurance /Quality Improvement process is very extensive. We have Quality Assurance /Quality Improvement Committees that are chaired by the Quality Assurance Coordinator. The committees are made up of various board members, the Executive Director and Deputy Director, Associate Directors, Program Coordinators and clinicians. We have set up internal monitoring systems to self identify problem areas and to take immediate corrective action. This proactive approach has proven to be effective.

Our Incident Management Process continues to protect the welfare and safety of our consumers. The Special Incident Review Committee continues to monitor all untoward events and takes corrective measures to minimize the potential for reoccurrences of the same or similar situations. Our members are devoted and committed to ensuring that consumers' needs are met.

The Commission on Quality Care continues to praise Niagara CP for timeliness and thoroughness in its investigative procedure.

The Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) surveyed all of Niagara CP sites and were very impressed with the self-monitoring systems that are in place to ensure regulatory compliance.

Each year a Trending Report of allegations of abuse and serious reportables is generated.
This tool has proven to be effective in enabling us to identify trends within the Agency so that corrective/preventive action can be taken.

The Agency has also increased the frequency and thoroughness of training in the area of 624 Regulations for direct care staff and new employees. The Quality Assurance Coordinator holds a training annually for new investigators. Our internal surveys that are conducted annually at each site have proven to be effective in identifying problem areas.

Most significant in the improvement initiative are the tools put into place under the revised QA/QI Plan to self-monitor Agency compliance with investigations, Agency policy and procedures and contractual responsibilities.

Each year consumer, staff and family/advocate surveys are distributed in order to assess the agency's success in administering various programs. Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement personnel review the information gathered and recommendations to enhance programming.