Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI)
Definition: A data-driven, proactive approach to improving the quality of life, care, and services in nursing homes. QAPI combines traditional quality assurance (identifying and fixing problems) with performance improvement (proactive, systematic efforts to improve processes).
In Practice
CMS requires every nursing home to have a comprehensive QAPI program that addresses all systems of care and services. The QAPI committee typically meets monthly and reviews quality indicators, incident trends, survey findings, and improvement project outcomes. Strong QAPI programs are often cited as evidence of systemic improvement in Plans of Correction.