Oklahoma City, OK (April 2007) –More than one in four home health patients end up hospitalized following a health-related complication, illness or condition. These hospitalizations, some of which can be avoided, can create financial and emotional burdens for patients and families and may negatively impact the healthcare delivery system. Home health agencies throughout the state have joined Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality in an aggressive national campaign to help reduce avoidable acute care hospitalizations (ACH). More than 130 Oklahoma agencies (about 70%) are currently participating in The Home Health Quality Improvement (HHQI) National Campaign, announced in January by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). 4875 agencies are participating nationwide.

According to 2006 CMS estimates, home health agencies working to reduce ACH have the potential to keep an estimated 2,170 Oklahomans out of the hospital in one year and can save the Medicare Trust Fund up to $16.6 Million.

The HHQI campaign unites groups such as the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, American Association for Homecare, CMS and its contractors, which includes OFMQ, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), under a shared vision of reducing avoidable hospitalizations to improve patient quality of care. The campaign provides agencies a structured approach to using health care practices that are proven to reduce hospitalizations.

“We are pleased with the response to the campaign from Oklahoma’s home health agencies, said Jim Williams, President and CEO at OFMQ. The campaign serves to unite agencies across the nation and in our state around a common goal – to keep patients at home and independent when they can be. We look forward to seeing progress among our agencies in the coming months,” Williams said.

More information about the campaign can be found on the official Web site, www.homehealthquality.org.