TIP OF THE WEEK
Browse best practices for hospitalization risk assessment
The Home Health Quality Improvement (HHQI) National Campaign unites the home care community under the shared vision of reducing avoidable acute care hospitalizations to improve patient quality of care. Home health agencies (HHAs) that sign up for the campaign will receive a monthly distribution of tools, resources, practice guidelines, clinical information, and best practice education. This is an interdisciplinary campaign. All disciplines need to work collaboratively toward the goal of reducing avoidable acute care hospitalizations.
The first monthly intervention package for the HHQI National Campaign was released March 1, 2007. Take some time this week to browse this intervention package and pick one to three things to try.
BEST PRACTICE INTERVENTION PACKAGE – HOSPITALIZATION RISK ASSESSMENT
Download the full 80-page intervention package or browse a few quick links below:
- Leadership Track (PDF)
- Nurse Track (PDF)
- Therapy Track (PDF)
- Medical Social Worker Track (PDF)
- Home Health Aide Track (PDF)
- Fast Track (PDF) -- The Fast Track package is ideal for the agency that finds it has limited time and resources in any given month and wants a "fast track" review of the tool and key points only.
ASSOCIATED RESOURCES
- Hospitalization Risk Assessment form (Word)
- Physician Notification for High Risk Patients form (Word)
- Monthly intervention poster (PDF)
A voluntary survey was sent to the primary and secondary contacts for the HHQI Campaign on Thursday, March 8, 2007. Complete the survey by Thursday, March 15, 2007 to be eligible for a randomized selection to be the next HHQI National Campaign Agency of the Month. If selected, your agency will be featured on the campaign Web site and in the next issue of the e-Bulletin. In addition, Quality Insights of Pennsylvania will utilize your comments to assist in planning future intervention packages.
As of March 2, 2007 there are over 4,500 HHAs registered to participate in the Home Health Quality Campaign. We have embarked on a remarkable journey together in this national campaign to reduce avoidable acute care hospitalizations. Let's continue working to keep home health patients at home, where they want to be.
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
Your Role in Safe Medication Use Brochure
The Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors has developed a consumer guide that encourages patients to become "part of the health care team" along with their physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, to prevent medication errors. The guide was developed in conjunction with the Washington, DC-based Institute for Family-Centered Care and is based on input solicited from patients, families, and health care professionals. The brochure is also available in Spanish.
IN THE NEWS
MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH
March 2007 -- CMS -- March is National Nutrition Month® - Please join with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in promoting increased awareness of nutrition, healthful eating and the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) benefit covered by Medicare. About 8.6 million Americans1 at least 60 years or older are diagnosed with diabetes or acute renal failure. MNT provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional may result in improved diabetes and renal disease management and other health outcomes and may help delay disease progression.
Medicare provides coverage of MNT for beneficiaries diagnosed with diabetes or renal disease (except for those receiving dialysis) when provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional who meets the provider qualifications requirement, or a "grandfathered" dietitian or nutritionist who was licensed or certified as of December 21, 2000. A referral by the beneficiary's treating physician indicating a diagnosis of diabetes or renal disease is required. Medicare provides coverage for three hours of MNT in the first year and two hours in subsequent years. Read more >>
SENIORS CAN GET CARE AT HOME WITH HELP FROM STATE PROGRAM
March 7, 2007 -- Mansfield News Journal -- A woman has been able to care for her mother at home through a state-funded Medicaid waiver program called PASSPORT Home Care, which is managed locally by the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging. Read more >>
NEW PROGRAM HELPS OLDER NEW YORKERS PREVENT AND RECOVER FROM FALLS
March 2, 2007 -- Newswire -- Whether it's slipping in a bath or on an icy sidewalk, one out of every three older persons falls every year. These incidents are responsible for an astonishing 70 percent of accidental deaths in persons 75 years of age and older. Addressing this issue, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/The Allen Pavilion has opened a new clinical facility and program dedicated to providing advanced prevention and treatment of falls and fainting (syncope) for senior citizens—a first for the New York City area. Read more >>
COMING ATTRACTIONS
ARE YOU READY FOR PAY FOR PERFORMANCE?
Attend one of these half-day meetings to learn more about:
- Current pay-for-performance demonstration projects.
- How Ohio agencies are performing on key measures.
- Best practices and barriers of Ohio agencies.
- Using tele-triage as a quality improvement strategy.
Choose the AM (9-12) or PM (1-4) session. Registration begins 30 minutes prior to the start of the conference. Register today for a meeting in your area:
- 3/20/07: Miamisburg (Dayton area)
- 3/21/07: Toledo
- 3/27/07: Akron
- 3/28/07: Dublin (Columbus area)
- 3/29/07: Dover (New Philadelphia/South Canton area)
- 4/4/07: Cleveland
Who should attend? CEO, Administrator, Operations, Director of Clinical Services, Nurses, or Quality Improvement Coordinator.
Click here for more information or to register now
