The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging in partnership with its state affiliates, has developed a bold five-year plan in 2002 called Quality First: A Covenant to Achieve Healthy, Affordable and Ethical Aging Services.
Quality First is a plan to ensure excellence in aging services and earn public trust. It is a promise to the public that aging services providers are taking responsibility for raising the bar in our field.
Quality First is rooted in ten core principles, six measurable outcomes, and a clear path for reaching them
Ten Principles
The ten principles of Quality First are intended to cultivate and nourish an environment of continuous quality improvement, openness and leadership among aging services providers.
The core of AAHSA Quality First is the 10 Elements of Quality:
1. Commitment
2. Governance & Accountability
3. Leading-Edge Care and Services
4. Community Involvement
5. Continuous Quality Improvement
6. Human Resources Development
7. Consumer-Friendly Information
8. Consumer Participation
9. Research Findings and Education
10. Public Trust and Consumer Confidence
Six Outcomes
Each of the Quality First principles is supported by specific and measurable steps that will be taken to achieve the expected outcomes. A national commission will report progress annually toward achieving these outcomes.
Expected Outcomes for Providers:
1. There will be demonstrated continued improvement in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations
2. There will be demonstrable progress in promoting financial integrity and preventing occurrences of fraud
3. There will be demonstrable progress (and continued compliance) in the prevention of abuse and neglect
4. There will be progressive and/or sustained achievements in quality of clinical outcomes
5. Consumers will report high satisfaction with care and services
6. There will be demonstrable improvement in employee retention and turnover rates.
By endorsing these principles and outcomes, aging services providers are leading the effort to forge a collective and constructive response to the challenges our field faces. We are committed to peer review to solve problems and provide consistent, high quality education, training and technical assistance to ensure compliance. Through Quality First, we will work in partnership with consumers and government to create a field of care and services in which consumers can feel confident that they are receiving the high quality care and services they deserve.
For more details including a step-by-step guide, the Quality First Covenant, a self-study, frequently asked questions, a power point presentation, video and discussion guide, and sample PR materials, go to www.aahsa.org/qualityfirst.
