Quality Advisor

2026 Quarter 1 Quality Snapshot and Health Care Quality Showcase Video Highlight Wisconsin’s Collective Impact

The 2026 Quarter 1 Wisconsin Hospitals Quality Snapshot is now available, showcasing how Wisconsin hospitals, working together, continue to demonstrate national leadership in health care quality, patient safety and patient experience. Drawing on trusted, nationally recognized measures, the snapshot highlights statewide performance, recognitions and improvement efforts that reflect the collective impact of hospitals across urban, rural and critical access settings.

The Quality Snapshot provides an objective, statewide view of hospital quality performance and improvement activity, grounded in nationally recognized measures and transparent data. By bringing together results, recognitions and examples of improvement, the snapshot supports informed dialogue among hospitals, policymakers, partners and communities, and helps illustrate how collaboration across care settings contributes to progress in health care delivery. It serves as a practical resource for communicating quality priorities, aligning efforts and reinforcing the importance of continued engagement in statewide improvement initiatives.

The results and stories featured in the snapshot are made possible through statewide collaboration. Wisconsin hospitals actively participate in shared initiatives focused on improving patient outcomes, enhancing value, advancing rural and behavioral health, supporting the health care workforce and addressing some of the most complex challenges facing care delivery today. By working together, hospitals strengthen not only individual performance, but the overall quality and reputation of Wisconsin’s health care system.

This culture of collaboration and shared learning is also reflected in the Health Care Quality Showcase, featured in the Quality Snapshot and recently captured in a new video from the showcase following WHA’s 2026 Advocacy Day. The Showcase brings together hospitals from across the state to share real world quality improvement projects, highlight innovative approaches and engage in peer to peer learning. The video emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for hospitals to openly share successes, challenges and lessons learned as they work to advance patient care and safety statewide.

Hospital leaders are encouraged to review and share the 2026 Quarter 1 Quality Snapshot and the Health Care Quality Showcase video with boards, teams and community stakeholders. Together, these resources highlight the strength of Wisconsin’s collective approach to quality improvement and help ensure that the state’s quality story remains current, visible and relevant to those who rely on and support Wisconsin’s health care system.

WHA invites you to join us in promoting the snapshot’s key messages by sharing on social media and tagging WHA social media for greater reach. The following are WHA’s official social media channels with an accompanying customizable graphic.

WHA Social Media Handles:

• Facebook: Wisconsin Hospital Association
• LinkedIn: Wisconsin Hospital Association
• Instagram: @wihospitals
• X: @WIHospitalAssn

CMS Issues FY 2027 IPPS/LTCH PPS Proposed Rule

On April 10 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule to update fiscal year (FY) 2027 Medicare payment policies and rates under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System (PPS).

The FY 2027 IPPS/LTCH PPS proposed rule was published at the Office of the Federal Register Public Inspection Desk at the federal register. To view the published version of the FY 2027 IPPS/LTCH PPS proposed rule, go to the Federal Register webpage and click on the PDF.

Proposed changes to the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program and other quality reporting programs are included in the regulation. Details regarding proposals for various quality reporting programs can be found on the pages listed below:

• Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program pp. 19527-19538
• Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program pp. 19538-19546
• Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program pp. 19546-19547
• Crosscutting Quality Programs pp. 19564-19580
• Hospital IQR Program pp. 19580-19605
• PPS-Exempt Cancer Hospital Quality Reporting Program pp. 19605-19612
• Promoting Interoperability Program pp. 19618-19655

CMS will accept comments on the FY 2027 IPPS/LTCH PPS proposed rule until June 10 at 5 p.m. ET and will respond to comments in the FY 2027 IPPS/LTCH PPS final rule, to be issued by August 1. Comments can be submitted electronically or via regular mail or express/overnight mail. Please review the FY 2027 IPPS/LTCH PPS proposed rule for specific instructions for each method and submit using only one method.

WHA will also be submitting comments on behalf of our members. If you would like something included in WHA’s response, please send to Nadine Allen by May 15. For more information on the proposed rule, please see the FY 202 IPPS/LTCH PPS Proposed Rule Fact Sheet.

Newborn Screening Reports

The Newborn Screening Data reports have recently been distributed to all birthing units and NICUs across Wisconsin. If your facility has missed any of the reports from this calendar year, please refer to this document to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. For any questions or further assistance, please contact Leah Ricci at Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Caring for Wisconsin's Caregivers

Caring for Wisconsin’s Caregivers Advances Workforce Well Being Across the State

The Caring for Wisconsin’s Caregivers (C4C Wisconsin) initiative continues to gain momentum as a statewide effort to strengthen health care workforce well being and long term sustainability.

Caring for Wisconsin’s Caregivers honors the legacy of Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency physician in New York City who died by suicide in April 2020. Her death brought national attention to the stigma and fear of professional repercussions that too often prevent health care workers from seeking needed mental health support. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to reducing those barriers and fostering environments where well being is prioritized and supported.

As one component of broader efforts at WHA and across the state to strengthen and sustain the health care workforce, the initiative follows a voluntary, three phase framework, allowing organizations to engage based on readiness, timing and capacity. The framework emphasizes approaches that are adaptable across organizations of all sizes and care settings.

As C4C Wisconsin nears the end of Year One, more than 50 hospitals and health systems have been recognized as Well-Being First Champions. These organizations have aligned credentialing applications and processes with the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation’s recommended best practices, specifically by ensuring licensing and credentialing forms are free from stigmatizing language and supportive of clinicians seeking mental health care. Recognized organizations represent urban, suburban and rural communities across more than 30 Wisconsin counties.

As the initiative enters Year Two, Phase 1 efforts will continue, while Phase 2 shifts the focus from awareness to action. This phase will support leaders in identifying and redesigning systems, workflows, technology and behaviors to support sustainable cultures of well-being. A statewide well-being summit, planned for September, will formally launch Phase 2.

Engagement in C4C Wisconsin continues to grow, reflecting increased recognition that workforce well-being is foundational to patient safety, quality of care and the long term stability of Wisconsin’s health care system.

To learn more, visit Caring for Wisconsin's Caregivers webpage.

Superior Health Quality Alliance

Maximizing Value: How Hospitals and Clinics Can Leverage CMS Support

As health care continues to shift toward value-based and data-driven payment models, hospitals and clinics are under increasing pressure to improve outcomes while managing cost and operational challenges. The question many leaders are asking is: How do you move the needle on quality without adding more burden to already stretched teams?

One opportunity for engagement is the Quality Innovation Network–Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) program. Through CMS’s 13 Scope of Work (13SOW), Superior Health Quality Alliance is offering no-cost quality improvement support through 2029. Enrollment for this program is LIMITED and CLOSING SOON. Join this program to work with us and learn from your peers across the continuum.

For more information, contact Casey Zimpel or enroll today via this quick enrollment process: Superior Health Enrollment.