Performance Improvement

Monique F. Mackey, MLS
Assistant Director, Area L AHEC — Quality Initiatives
(Director — Library/Information Services/CE)
Monique.Mackey@arealahec.org

Lisa H. Renfrow, BSN, RN
Director – Nursing Education Services/Special Projects
Lisa.Renfrow@arealahec.org

Shawna B. Jones
Program Faculty Assistant
Shawna.Jones@arealahec.org

Quality Improvement Consultants

There are currently 12 active Quality Improvement Consultants (QICs) employed at the 9 regional AHECs in North Carolina. The QIC provides hands-on assistance to primary care practices in the areas of population-based care management and systems change while working with office staff to improve office efficiencies, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. Additionally, QICs work to create a rapport with clinic staff so that they feel comfortable with having the QIC be a part of the clinic’s quality improvement team. There is no cost to practices for this service since QIC positions are funded by the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, the Governor’s Quality Initiative, and the North Carolina AHEC Program.

For Primary Care Physicians

Free on-site support and consultation
Proven tools and methods to drive improvement and system change
Preparation for certification and recognition programs that are usually the first step in pay for performance
Planning for pay for performance initiatives
Physician Maintenance Certification (MOC) Part IV Credit
Up to 20 hours of AMA PRA Category 1™ CME Credit

Performance Improvement provides help

Using data to drive improvement
Using templates to drive care
Utilizing evidence-based chronic care management protocols
Implementing standing orders
Formulating population-based care plans
Work flow analysis and mapping
Team building and communication
Referral tracking and consultant follow-up
Generating routine care reminders
Patient self-management support
Systems change and practice redesign
Patient communication/patient access including advanced access scheduling
Establishing and documenting office systems to become a full patient-centered medical home