Setting targets is new to nursing homes, but has long been a staple of quality improvement (QI). In an effort to provide nursing homes with a systematic process and a tool for using Quality Measure (QM) data to set performance targets, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the “Setting Targets – Achieving Results” (STAR) web site. This STAR site allows facilities to identify a goal for improvement in up to six clinical QMs – physical restraints, high-risk pressure ulcers, depression, chronic care pain, post acute care pain and post acute care pressure ulcers. Additionally, nursing homes are able to monitor and measure their progress toward their goals.

All nursing homes are encouraged to log on to the free web site, www.nhqi-star.org and set their quality improvement performance targets.

For quality improvement resources and strategies, please visit the STAR Documents and Links sections.