The well-documented success of the Partnership for Patients and the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) initiative in reducing patient harm and readmissions will be continued through new Hospital Improvement and Innovation Networks (HIIN), according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

CMS released a request for proposal yesterday for organizations looking to build upon the work done by QIOs and Hospital Engagement Networks (HEN) since the beginning of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. CMS Acting Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Conway said the work done since 2010 – reducing harm by 39 percent resulting in 2.1 million fewer patients harmed, 87,000 lives saved and nearly $20 billion in cost-savings – was unprecedented in his 20 years in the quality improvement field.

Conway said the HIINs will be part of the QIO initiative and engage and support the nation’s hospitals, patients and their caregivers in work to implement and spread well-tested, evidence-based best practices. The goal of the HIINs will be to reduce overall patient harm by 20 percent, and a 12 percent reduction in 30-day readmissions across the country by 2019 from 2014 baselines.

Groups that had previously participated in QIOs and HENs, are encouraged to submit proposals for the new networks but will not be favored in the selection process. NJHA is reviewing the RFP, and will update members as appropriate.