Nursing Home Improvement Feedback
Tool (NHIFT)
Available to all nursing homes nationwide beginning
in January 2006, NHIFT is a free, computer-based,
process-of-care data collection tool that assists
nursing homes in collecting data on critical care
processes that should be occurring in your facility
related to four clinical topics: depression, pain,
physical restraints, and pressure ulcers. Using NHIFT,
nursing home staff can guide care by identifying
recommended processes and track adherence to the
recommended care processes over time. In addition,
nursing homes can compare performance to other nursing
homes in the state and to nursing homes across the
nation. Your NHIFT data are confidential and are
intended for internal quality improvements. Data
submission is secure and HIPAA-compliant.
How to use NHIFT
- Open a Web browser and go to
www.MedQIC.org. Click on ‘Nursing
Homes’ and then ‘NHIFT’ in the left navigation bar. You will see a
link to the NHIFT application.
- Download the NHIFT computer application. Once you have finished
downloading the application, double-click on the installation file
and follow the auto-install instructions on your screen.
- Download the NHIFT User Guide. Once you install NHIFT, follow
the instructions in the User Guide to create an account, register
for QualityNet, and begin abstracting data.
- Using QualityNet, submit your data to view trend reports and
compare your performance to your peers’ aggregate scores. (You may
also view your nursing home’s scores at any time on your own PC
workstation.)
What’s Next?
- To improve your process measure scores, examine your care
processes. You may want to implement quality improvement (QI)
systems. For ideas and materials, visit
www.MedQIC.org to access
free tools.
- Keep an open mind when looking at your scores; avoid the
impulse to justify poor performance. Remember, the process
measures reflect medical evidence and best practices. Use NHIFT
as a teaching tool to help you improve your adherence to the
recommended care processes and improve your residents’ care.
Submit new data each month to track your nursing home’s progress
over time.
The Colorado Foundation for Medical Care (CFMC), the Medicare quality improvement organization for Colorado, prepared this material under
contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an
agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents
do not necessarily reflect CMS Policy.
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