NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — North Dakota Health and Human Services has a new quality care initiative that has the aim of improving the lives of residents of the state's nursing facilities. The Nursing Facility Incentive Program is an incentive-based quality improvement program that provides an annual payment to state nursing facilities based on their performance. The program was started as a way of improving facilities in North Dakota that are falling behind the national average in measures like urinary tract infections and antipsychotic drugs. When is the perfect time to ask for a raise or time off? North Dakota lawmakers approved funding for the program during the 2023 Legislative Session where $12 million was given for the program, so far$ 4 million has been paid out to facilities this year. Medical Services Division Director Sarah Aker says she hopes the program will help improve care. "Our desire is to really shift from care that's just focused on the amount of care someone is receiving to making sure we have the care that takes into account the type of care someone is receiving, takes into account the patient experience, the outcomes, and pushes facilities to have some financial incentive to change what they are doing," said Aker. The next payment period for the program will be in June 2025. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW