ABQAURP Works with CMSA to Develop New Transitions of Care Credential

Transitions of Care is defined as the movement of patients from one practice setting to another. Transitions happen when moving from one care provider to another, changing the health care setting, or even moving to another level of care within the same setting. During these transitions, poor coordination between providers, patients, and caregivers can lead to medical errors, bad outcomes, and even life-threatening situations. In addition, inefficiencies waste resources and discourage health care providers and consumers. These situations occur during transitions because information is not communicated properly – sometimes not at all.

The American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, Inc. (ABQAURP) and the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) have announced a joint collaboration to create a sub-specialty Certification for Transitions of Care (TOC). The new sub-specialty certification is a part of the specialized credentials available through ABQAURP’s Health Care Quality and Management Board Certification.  In recognizing the importance of transitions of care, this new credential is the first one to support professionals not only as a team, but also as individuals who demonstrate competence and skills in providing the key elements of transitions of care.

ABQAURP, the nation’s largest organization of interdisciplinary health care professionals, provides Health Care Quality and Management Board Certification and education for physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals.  Likewise, CMSA is respected as the largest and oldest non-profit, multi-disciplinary care management professional association in the United States dedicated to the support and advancement of the case management profession by providing collaboration across the health care continuum to advocate for patients’ wellbeing and improved health outcomes.

“CMSA’s first goal for the Transitions of Care Certification is to allow professionals to demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate industry literature about TOC,” said Mary Beth Newman, MSN, RN-BC, CMAC, CCP, CCM. “In addition, we have worked hard to design the certification to help identify best practices, as well as to assist case managers in making recommendations that balance the appropriateness of health care services with cost and quality as related to transitions. It is vital that the program address the need for effectiveness, efficiency, equity, safety, and timeliness in transitions of care. By working with ABQAURP in creating a Transitions of Care sub-specialty Certification, CMSA will expand its support of case managers and other health care professionals as they work to develop an ongoing commitment to patient safety, health care quality, and effective coordination of transition-related care.”

ABQAURP currently offers Board Certification in Health Care Quality and Management (HCQM). This certification gives ABQAURP Diplomates the practical knowledge and the tools that can reduce medical errors, ensure patient safety, eliminate waste and unnecessary services, while avoiding potentially harmful delays in care. “The primary purpose of ABQAURP is to improve the overall quality of health care that is provided to the consuming public,” said Arthur Broder, MD, chairman, ABQAURP Board of Directors. “Expanding the Board Certification to include Transitions of Care while strengthening the Case Management sub-specialty will promote excellence and professionalism through recognition of individuals dedicated to Health Care Quality and Management and patient safety with effective and coordinated patient care as the end result.”

ABQAURP currently offers sub-specialty certification in Case Management, Managed Care, Patient Safety/Risk Management, and Workers’ Compensation.  CMSA will assist ABQAURP in tailoring these sub-specialty certification options to provide more relevance to individuals who perform or are involved in Case Management.

Both organizations hope to facilitate increased qualifications, competence, and authority within the Case Management field, as well as to accomplish the following:

• Provide more value to the Case Management Industry as a whole
• Stimulate increased attention to Case Management, an often undervalued segment of the health care industry
• Increase the perceived value of case management activities

The health care industry strives to provide the best quality care delivery within each practice setting and area of responsibility. This course will improve one’s knowledge of care transitions and support their understanding of a complex health system with no clearly defined responsibilities for effective patient hand-offs.

About ABQAURP
Established in 1977, the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, Inc. (ABQAURP) is the nation’s largest organization of interdisciplinary health care professionals. Through its ultimate goal to improve the quality of health care, ABQAURP is dedicated to providing health care education and certification for physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals. For more information, visit http://www.abqaurp.org.

About the Case Management Society of America (CMSA)
Established in 1990, the Case Management Society of America is an international non-profit 501(c)(6) multi-disciplinary professional association dedicated to the support and advancement of the case management profession through educational forums, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy, and establishing standards to advance the profession. It is based in Little Rock, Ark., and serves more than 20,000 members/subscribers and over 70 affiliate and pending chapters. Since its inception, CMSA has been at the forefront of setting professional standards for the industry, which allows for the highest level of efficiency and integrity, as well as developing national and local leaders who are recognized for their practice and professional excellence. For more information, visit http://www.cmsa.org.