Problem: How CMS Links Quality and Finance
A standard quality measure used nationwide associates smoking cessation programs with better outcomes for cardiac patients. It involves having a process in place to identify patients who smoke, and referring them to a program.
In your organization, it has been difficult to convince physicians to refer inpatients to the smoking cessation clinic prior to, or after discharge. As a result, the measure results are quite low.
What do you think prevents the physicians from making the referrals, even though there is evidence that this is a benefit to patients? What would you present and recommend to your organization's physicians to increase their referral?