Quality Improvement as the Foundation for Health Care Advancement.

The rising cost of health care continues to be a key driver of the growing national debt. Improving the nation's health requires a dedicated and holistic advancement of access to quality and affordable patient-centered health care, as well as a strong focus on the core elements of prevention, including nutrition. Programs must be put in place, such as the Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative (MQii), to identify and address the root causes of malnutrition. Registered dietitian nutritionists have an important role to lead malnutrition quality improvement efforts in their organizations to promote better patient health outcomes, keep health care costs affordable, and protect Medicare. It is a unique time where there is an opportunity to achieve meaningful change in malnutrition care, and working together to implement quality improvement programs can ensure the health and vitality of current and future generations of Americans. FUNDING/SUPPORT: Publication of this supplement was supported by Abbott. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics does not receive funding for the MQii. Avalere Health's work to support the MQii was funded by Abbott.