Quality Improvement Project Advances Understanding and Effective Use of Durable Medical Equipment
Florida PACE Centers, Florida’s largest and most experienced Program for All-Inclusive Elderly Care (PACE) provider, is proud to announce that Suzana Simoes, Director of Rehabilitation Services, has been published in the Journal for Healthcare Quality for her article, “Keeping Track of DME Utilization—Lessons Learned.” The publication highlights the innovative work of Dr. Simoes’ rehabilitation team to better understand and improve the use of durable medical equipment (DME) among program participants.
The quality improvement project was designed to identify barriers to DME utilization, a critical component in supporting safe mobility, independence, and quality of life for older adults. Through comprehensive data analysis, interdisciplinary collaboration, and participant-centered approaches, the project uncovered meaningful opportunities to enhance how DME is prescribed, delivered, and used.
Key accomplishments of the project include:
- Strengthened team communication and discipline-specific training, resulting in more accurate and effective DME prescriptions.
- A person-centered model that incorporates participant preferences, abilities, and daily routines into clinical decision-making.
- Improved coordination and education for staff, caregivers, and families to support safe and consistent DME use.
- Reinforcement of Florida PACE Centers’ commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative care for older adults.
“Keeping Track of DME Utilization—Lessons Learned” positions Florida PACE Centers alongside leading healthcare organizations nationwide and showcases the expertise, dedication, and compassion of the rehabilitation team. The publication underscores Florida PACE Centers’ ongoing mission to promote safety, independence, and meaningful quality-of-life improvements for every participant.
Florida PACE Centers congratulates Suzana Simoes and the rehab team on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to continued advancements in participant-centered care.
About Florida PACE Centers
Florida PACE Centers at Miami Jewish Health is the largest and most experienced PACE program in Florida with a background exclusively specialized in geriatric health and elder care. With locations in Miami, Hialeah, Westchester, Miramar, and Kendall (Alternative Care Site), Florida PACE Centers provide personalized attention, coordinated medical care, meals, activities, social engagement, and more in a trusted environment of life-enhancing care. For more information or to see if you or a loved one is eligible for PACE participation, visit www.floridapacecenters.org
