Section 6102(c) of the Affordable Care Act requires that all nursing homes develop Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs. The statute requires CMS to develop a prototype QAPI program, establish standards, and provide technical assistance to facilities on the development of best-practices in order to meet such standards. One year after a final rule for QAPI is issued, all nursing homes must have in place and implement an acceptable QAPI plan. A pilot is currently underway with 17 facilities in four states (Florida, Minnesota, California, Massachusetts). The pilots are expected to be completed by 2013, with the regulation to follow. Visit: the National QAPI website for more information and resources for meeting QAPI compliance.
