This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Implementation Program for HIV Clinical Quality Improvement. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to provide RWHAP recipients and subrecipients with training and technical assistance (T/TA) to implement quality improvement methodologies (e.g., Model for Improvement, Lean, Lean Sigma), tools, and techniques, as required by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 and Clinical Quality Management Policy Clarification Notice 15-02 (CQM PCN 15-02). All T/TA will align with the CQM PCN 15-02. Although infrastructure and performance measurement are key components of CQM, this cooperative agreement will focus on quality improvement aimed at improving patient care, patient health outcomes, and patient satisfaction. The RWHAP Implementation Program for HIV Clinical Quality Improvement will provide T/TA to RWHAP recipients and subrecipients to identify and measure gaps in patient care, patient health outcomes, and patient satisfaction; implement quality improvement activities; and assess the impact of quality improvement activities. All T/TA should promote the adoption and implementation of quality improvement methodologies, tools, and techniques. The RWHAP Implementation Program for HIV Clinical Quality Improvement activities are as follows: • Offer areas of quality improvement T/TA to RWHAP recipients and subrecipients directly related to quality improvement methodologies, tools, and techniques including: o New and innovative training o Development and dissemination of tools and guides o Targeted, time-limited quality improvement TA o Learning collaboratives • Evaluate the effect of the T/TA provided to RWHAP recipients and subrecipients using scientifically accepted methodologies. Monitor recipients’ and subrecipients’ efficiency and effectiveness in implementing quality improvement activities. Use the results of the evaluation to modify T/TA. • Use HRSA-developed performance measures or HRSA-approved performance measures, ensure alignment with current Department of Health and Human Services HIV clinical guidelines; e.g., Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV. Ensure that training content is specifically relevant to the RWHAP recipients and subrecipients when designing and implementing T/TA. • Participate in the National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care and Treatment by submitting abstracts for presentations and disseminating information relevant to the target audience. HRSA will provide input and approval of potential abstracts and presentations. • Use the TargetHIV website to post and disseminate all quality improvement T/TA information, materials and products, findings, best practices, and lessons learned to national and local audiences. • Respond to requests by HRSA for data and information related to project activities.
