Assuring quality care: exploring strategies of Medicaid E&D Waiver providers.

Implementing quality assurance (QA) programs in unregulated non-institutional settings remains a challenge for home- and community-based service providers. A sample of 65 Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Waiver providers were presented with eight problem scenarios commonly found in homecare services. Each of the respondents was able to identify strategies they would use to recognize and address each problem. Findings suggest providers currently use multiple mechanisms as part of their overall QA program. Discussion focuses on the strengths of using multiple approaches and on increasing provider awareness of complementary QA strategies and reducing the reliance on staff report as a major QA strategy.