Midwest Qin-Qio

12/09/2025

It’s National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec 7–13)!

As the weather turns colder and germs spread more easily, now is a great time to refresh our hand-hygiene habits. Handwashing, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and keep ourselves, our families, and our communities healthy.

At Midwest QIN‑QIO, we are committed to helping healthcare facilities and community members build better hygiene practices. Check out our latest blog post to learn simple, practical tips, and grab our ready-to-use signage and audit tools for hand hygiene. Let’s all do our part to slow the spread of illness this season!

👉 Read more: https://midwestcmsqinqio.com/help-prevent-the-spread-of-germs-in-national-handwashing-awareness-week/

As fall turns into winter, germs spread easier. This is because people often touch their eyes, mouth, ears, or nose, whether they realize it or not. Germs from hands that are not washed can easily get into drinks and foods as people prepare or consume them. Germs multiply in some drinks and food and...

12/04/2025

This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, a great reminder that it’s not too late to get your seasonal flu shot.

Why get vaccinated now?

• Flu is actively circulating, and a flu shot can reduce your risk of getting sick or becoming seriously ill.
• It protects those at higher risk, including young children, pregnant people, older adults, and individuals with chronic health conditions.
• Vaccination also helps reduce the spread, easing the strain on healthcare systems during an already busy respiratory virus season.

If you haven’t had your flu shot yet, consider rolling up your sleeve this week. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference. 💙

Read more ➤ https://midwestcmsqinqio.com/midwest-qin-qio-resources-for-national-influenza-vaccination-week/

Influenza activity in the United States during the 2024-25 was classified as high severity by the Centers for Disease Control. It was the highest flu season since 2017-18.   In the 2024-25 influenza season, clinical laboratories tested nearly four million respiratory specimens for influenza viru...

11/21/2025

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the millions of family members who provide care, often while juggling work, family, and their own health needs.

In our latest blog post, you will find simple, meaningful ways you can support and “celebrate” a family caregiver in your life, from offering practical help to just listening and being present.

👉 Check out the blog and find ideas to lift up a caregiver this month and beyond:
https://midwestcmsqinqio.com/celebrate-a-family-caregiver-in-national-family-caregivers-month/

Each November since 1994, family caregivers are recognized in National Family Caregivers Month for helping family members with medical needs. Family caregivers can often be the main source of support for people with disabilities and older adults. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admini...

11/13/2025

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of prevention, early detection and effective management of type 2 diabetes.

Through the Midwest QIN-QIO program, we are helping health care providers implement evidence-based strategies to identify those at risk, support healthier lifestyles, and improve care for people living with diabetes.

Learn more about our prevention and intervention efforts: https://midwestcmsqinqio.com/type-2-diabetes-awareness-month-and-midwest-qin-qios-prevention-and-intervention-efforts/

10/21/2025

Healthcare Quality Week is October 19–25!
This week, we recognize the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that every patient receives safe, reliable and effective care. From frontline staff to behind-the-scenes analysts, healthcare quality is built by people who refuse to settle for “good enough.”
Their efforts matter more than ever. It is estimated that over 45% of deaths in healthcare settings are linked to gaps in quality service delivery, a powerful reminder that this work is not just important, it is urgent.

This week, take time to reflect on how quality practices shape safer outcomes for both patients and providers. Whether you are standardizing a process, correcting an error or championing better communication, every improvement makes a difference.
Thank you to all who lead with integrity, innovation and care.
You are transforming healthcare, one improvement at a time. 💙

10/15/2025

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!
Every day, our healthcare systems, government services and local businesses rely on secure digital connections to keep communities safe and running smoothly.
This year’s theme, Building a Cyber Strong America, reminds us that cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. From state and tribal governments to small healthcare organizations and their vendors, every action helps protect the critical systems that support our daily lives.

Cyber threats do not take time off. Take one simple step today to strengthen your defenses, update your passwords, enable multi-factor authentication or complete a security awareness training.
Together, we can build a cyber strong, resilient America.
Learn how you can collaborate with the Midwest QIN-QIO to strengthen your cybersecurity: https://midwestcmsqinqio.com/strengthen-your-cybersecurity-knowledge-in-cybersecurity-awareness-month/

10/11/2025

Did you know that health illiteracy can impact anyone regardless of education level?

When people do not fully understand their health information, it can lead to confusion, missed care opportunities and poorer outcomes.

Health literacy is not just about reading skills, it is about clear communication. By bridging the communication gap between patients and providers, we can help improve understanding and support better care for all.

Learn more about how your organization can strengthen health literacy: https://midwestcmsqinqio.com/refresh-your-health-literacy-in-health-literacy-month/

09/30/2025

As National Emergency Preparedness Month comes to a close, now is the time to ask: Is your emergency plan ready?

From natural disasters to cyberattacks, emergencies can happen anytime. Preparedness is not just about compliance, it is about building resilience.

✅ Mitigate risks.
✅ Prepare for emerging challenges.
✅ Respond quickly and effectively.
✅ Recover to a safe “new normal.”

Do not wait for a crisis to find the gaps. We can help strengthen your plan.
Read more:

With September being National Emergency Preparedness Awareness Month, it’s a good time for a refresher on emergency preparedness and to generate new ideas for what to do in cases of emergency. It’s a great time to look over your emergency preparedness plan and make some adjustments. The implemen...

09/17/2025

September is Emergency Preparedness Month.

Protecting patients, staff and communities when the unexpected happens takes more than checking boxes. Compliance does not always lead to preparedness, but preparedness will always lead to compliance.

The Midwest QIN-QIO helps health care organizations strengthen emergency plans, improve business continuity and recover stronger at no cost. Our team supports providers with practical and scalable strategies that close gaps in communication, supply chain and recovery.

Do not just prepare. Plan to recover.
Contact us today to build resilience: midwestcmsqinqio.com

Read on for tips to strengthen your plan:

03/05/2025

📢 Important Update: Telligen's 12th SOW QIN-QIO contract extension concludes March 7, 2025. Stay tuned for future program updates.

02/25/2025

In recognizing the valiant efforts that nursing homes have made to prevent the spread of COVID-19 over the past years, Telligen has created the Blue Ribbon in COVID-19 Vigilance Award for Telligen QI Connect™ participants.

We congratulate awardees in our four states for achieving a staff up-to-date vaccination rate of at least 15%, resident up-to-date vaccination rate of at least 70% and a commitment to policies, processes and ongoing staff education to prevent the spread of COVID-19!

View the most recent awardees and share your in the comments!
Colorado: https://bit.ly/3ETVlNd
Illinois: https://bit.ly/439mC8m
Iowa: https://bit.ly/4bfqK8S
Oklahoma: https://bit.ly/4bh7uIn