COVID-19's Effect on Practice Quality Improvement and Transformation Activities: Practice Survey Results.

Background And Objectives: The Transforming Clinical Practices Initiative (TCPI) was a 4-year, large-scale, collaborative, peer-based learning initiative for physician practices of all specialties with broad goals to improve the quality of patient care, spend health care dollars more wisely, and assist practices in being ready to succeed under value-based payment (VBP). We investigated whether the COVID-19 pandemic had erased or diminished practice transformation progress made during the TCPI program period, through a follow-up survey of participating practices fielded in October 2021.

Methods: In October 2021 to April 2022, we surveyed a probability sample of 2207 primary care and specialty practices that participated in the TCPI, receiving 610 responses.

Practice Transformation in the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative and Emergency Department Use.

To provide insight on how ambulatory care practices can reduce emergency department (ED) visits, we studied changes in Medicare ED visits for primary and specialty care practices in the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative. We compared practices that transformed more vs less during the 6-year period ending in 2021 (3,773 practices). Using data from a practice transformation assessment tool completed at multiple intervals, we found improvement in the transformation score was associated with reduced ED visits by 6% and 4% for primary and specialty care practices, respectively, 3 to 4 years after first assessment.

Optimizing clinical guidelines to address antimicrobial-resistant infections: A conceptual framework reflecting stakeholder perspectives.

Objectives: Clinical guidelines or guidance is an important tool for preventing and treating antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections. We sought to understand and support the effective use of guidelines and guidance for AMR infections.

Methods: Key informant interviews and a stakeholder meeting on the development and use of guidelines and guidance for management of AMR infections; the interview findings and meeting discussion informed a conceptual framework for AMR infection clinical guidelines.