---
title: QIO Newsletter | October 2023
---

Get the latest news from Qsource!

| October 2023 View in browser Welcome to the monthly QIO eNews. We provide you with the latest tools, resources, and learning opportunities that can be shared with your staff, residents, patients, and community members. Vaccinations CDC recommends that everyone ages six months and older get the updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness. The updated vaccine is safe and effective at protecting against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death, and it also reduces your chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID.   The 2023 #GetVaccinated Toolkit is a comprehensive resource curated to empower long-term care providers in their mission to encourage and facilitate vaccinations among their residents and staff.   Resources for Integrated Care (RIC) invites you to explore a new resource related to influenza vaccination. The resource leverages lessons learned regarding vaccination during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) to focus on flu vaccination and to provide up-to-date resources and references. Health Literacy Month Every organization involved in health information and services needs its own health literacy plan. Without an action plan, organizational improvements to address health literacy will likely be uncoordinated and not sustainable. Everyone has limited time and resources, and having a plan helps you know what to do first. These resources can help you create and update a plan. Healthcare Quality Month The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) released a new Z code infographic entitled: Improving the Collection of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Data with ICD-10-CM Z Codes (2023). This resource aims to assist providers with understanding and using Z codes to improve the quality and collection of health equity data. Using social determinants of health, Z codes can enhance quality improvement activities, track factors that influence people’s health, and provide further insight into existing health inequities. Residents' Rights Month October is “Residents’ Rights Month,” an annual event designated by Consumer Voice to honor residents living in all long-term care facilities. It is an opportunity to focus on and celebrate awareness of dignity, respect, and rights of each resident.  In Case You Missed It... Join "The Conversation" and check out the Culturally Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) podcasts from our team at Qsource with special guests. CLAS Podcast with Stephanie Lambert from X4 Health  CLAS Podcast - Part 1 - Governance, Leadership and Workforce CLAS Podcast - Part 2 - Language and Communication Assistance CLAS Podcast - Part 3 - Engagement, Improvement, and Accountability  Qsource Communities on Facebook Qsource launched a new Facebook page called "Qsource Communities" where our partners and stakeholders can find upcoming events, relevant tools to download, announcements to share, and much more. Join the quality improvement community!  Visit Qsource's New QIO Website Check out qio.qsource.org! Here you'll find our resource library, curated toolkits, event registration, and more. Stay tuned as we continue to add more value through this new site!  Designated as a Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Indiana, Qsource is contracted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve quality and achieve better outcomes in health and healthcare, at lower cost, for the patients and communities we serve.   The QIN-QIO Program is one of the largest federal programs dedicated to improving health quality at the local level. Qsource has served as a Medicare contractor since 1973. We provide our services free-of-charge to our collaborating providers, so you will not incur any charges for use of our staff and resources. Learn More This material was prepared by Qsource, a/an Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. 23.QIO.10.061 Qsource, 8245 Tournament Drive, Memphis, TN 38125, USA Unsubscribe Manage preferences |
| --- |