Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) Bureaus and Offices

The Administrator's Office (AO) is responsible for the Division's mission, organizational goals, strategic planning, overall policy direction, and provision of leadership and vision to DQA programs.

It also handles the Division's personnel, fiscal, quality assurance, reengineering, open records requests and budget functions. Visit the Division of Quality Assurance: Requests for Information webpage for additional information about records requests pertaining to DQA-regulated providers.

The Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care (BNHRC) is responsible for conducting unannounced health care surveys of nursing homes and facilities serving persons with developmental disabilities (FDDs - also known as Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, ICF/IID).

In addition, BNHRC conducts complaint investigations, and makes care level determinations for persons receiving medical assistance in the community or in nursing homes and FDDs.

BNHRC Regional Office Map and Contacts

The Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) is responsible for licensing and surveying the following provider types:

• community-based residential facilities
• adult family homes - 3 or 4 beds
• residential care apartment complexes

The Behavioral Health Certification Section (BHCS) certifies substance use and mental health treatment programs.

BAL Regional Office Map and Contacts

The Bureau of Health Services (BHS) consists of two sections:

• The Acute Care Compliance Section (ACCS) conducts announced and unannounced health care surveys of:
  • adult day care centers
  • hospitals
  • home health agencies
  • hospices
  • ambulatory surgical centers
  • end stage renal dialysis centers
  • outpatient rehabilitation facilities (includes comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities)
  • personal care agencies
  • portable X-ray
  • rural health clinics
• The Licensing, Certification and CLIA Section (LCCS) in BHS is responsible for State licensing and federal certification activities of home health, hospice, hospitals, renal dialysis units, outpatient therapy, rural health clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, personal care agencies, portable X-Rays, comprehensive outpatient rehab and Wisconsin clinical laboratories testing human specimens for health assessment purposes, as well as those performing alcohol testing.

The Office of Caregiver Quality (OCQ) administers the Background Check and Misconduct Investigation Program. This program promotes public confidence in Department-approved treatment providers by implementing a system of statutory protections for individuals receiving care in Wisconsin. Protections include minimum standards for eligibility to obtain department approval to operate treatment programs/facilities, to reside in treatment facilities as a non-client, or to work in roles with regular and direct client contact. The program also establishes streamlined processes for both public and provider-based reporting of intentional abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of client property by employees and contractors. Individuals with substantiated findings of misconduct are listed on the Wisconsin Misconduct Registry and may apply for rehabilitation approval.

The Office of Plan Review and Inspections (OPRI) determine if health care providers regulated by DQA meet the physical environment standards of the State Building Code, State Licensure Code and Federal Life Safety Code requirements. Evaluation is accomplished through plan review, construction inspection, or survey related activities. The providers commonly involved in this evaluation are:

• hospitals
• nursing homes
• ambulatory surgical centers
• community-based residential facilities
• residential care apartment complexes
• hospices

The Bureau of Education Services and Technology (BEST):

• Provides technical assistance to providers regarding current standards of practice and the survey process.
• Serves as the main state liaison to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for federal survey and training activities.
• Interprets codes and policies.
• Conducts training for industry and DQA employees; collaborates with industry professionals to coordinate and offer conferences to relay current standards of practice.
• Provides specialized consultation (conducted by registered nurses, pharmacist, engineer, dietician and quality assurance program specialist).
• Develops and carries out quality improvement and assurance efforts.
• Manages DQA central files.
• Maintains DQA websites and online information/publications.
• Manages DQA provider, survey/enforcement, and complaint databases and responds to requests for related statistical information.
• Supports the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and Minimum Data Set (MDS) data systems and assists providers in using these systems.
• Administration of the federal and state requirements for nurse aide training, the competency evaluation program and the federal nurse aide registry.