Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: November 20, 1998
CONTACT: Patricia A. Nolan, M.D., M.P.H
Director of Health (401) 222-223, William J. Waters Jr., Ph.D.
Deputy Director (401) 222-2231

Department of Health Establishes the Rhode Island Health Care Quality Steering Committee

During the 1998 legislative session, Rhode Island established the Rhode Island Health Quality Performance Measurement and Reporting Program. This act was sponsored by Senators Fogarty, Roberts, Izzo, Walton, Irons, et al. It requires the Rhode Island Department of Health to develop a health care quality monitoring and reporting program. An ambitious effort, it directly addresses an important public health function -- to promote quality health care.

Dr. Patricia Nolan, Director of Health, stated: "This program will contribute to the quality of health care in Rhode Island. It represents a long- term commitment on the part of the Health Department. We see quality as one of our core functions and will put emphasis on this program from this point forward."

The program will be phased in over a multi-year period with the initial focus on hospitals. Nursing facilities, home care providers and other licensed facilities will be included in subsequent years.

The act establishes a Health Care Quality Steering Committee to guide its efforts. Dr. Nolan serves as Chairperson. The following individuals have been appointed to serve on the Committee: J. Jefferys Bandola, MD; Edward Belt, Jr.; James Benedict; Representative Peter Ginaitt; Roberta Hawkins; Tricia Leddy; Earl Manz; Pamela McCue, RN; George Nee; Glenn Prescod, MD; Lori Quaranta; Barbara Rayner; Senator Elizabeth Roberts; Alfred Santos; Sheila Cabral Sousa; Robert Urciuoli.

The Committee held its first meeting on October 13, 1998. The focus of this initial meeting was a review of the legislation that established the Committee as well as a discussion of what quality means and how to measure it. Members also identified technical issues to address in designing and implementing a monitoring system.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, December 1, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. It will be held in the John T. Tierney Health Policy Forum at the Department of Health. The agenda will include an environmental scan of efforts related to quality care reporting systems, which are being conducted around the country.

Public input is crucial to developing and implementing the program. This will be facilitated through a series of focus groups and public hearings which will be announced at a later time.

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