Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum

Under the leadership of the Department of Health and Hospitals, 40 organizations, including the LA Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, have met to define the purpose, roles, responsibilities and makeup of the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum (LHCQF). The Forum is modeled on successful efforts nationwide and will endeavor to improve the quality of health and health care for all Louisiana residents.

The LHCQF has been formed as a public-private partnership being guided by a twelve member inaugural board comprised of health care leaders throughout the State. It will not engage in regulatory or punitive functions, but will instead use a “learning system” approach. The scope of the Forum's work will include monitoring population health measures to increase cost effectiveness and achieve better health outcomes. It will also serve as a vehicle to promote the adoption of health information technology.

The medical home systems of care provide for the partnership of the primary care physician with the patient, the patient's family, and the community to coordinate each patient's care across various settings, such as specialist care, hospitals, pharmacy, home health and nursing homes. The LHCQF will establish guidelines for the application of evidence-based quality care by medical homes, all to the benefit of people with Alzheimer's disease and their families.

Dr. Michael Fleming, a family physician in Shreveport who has served as President of the American Academy of Family Physicians, has been elected President of the LHCQF. “The need for improved quality is recognized nationally. In Louisiana we have the additional burden of repairing our health care systems after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but also a unique opportunity to redesign and rebuild the system correctly. We will work to make Louisiana a national leader in state health reform in the coming years,” Fleming said.

Educating and advocating for better dementia care is a strong objective of the Alzheimer's Association. The LHCQF offers an admirable collaboration that will enhance our efforts to achieve our goal of a consistent, high level of dementia care.

Want to receive more information on this issue? Contact Ruth Fontenot.

Would you like to receive monthly email updates on this and other Alzheimer issues? Become an Advocate today.