QIO NHQI Weekly Update :: March 22, 2008  

 

TIP OF THE WEEK

Improving Transitions Across the Continuum of Care

 

What happens within 30 days of hospital discharge? There are at least 46 possible answers to this question, according to one study. [1] The hand-off from one healthcare provider to another can be the source of a myriad of health problems and miscommunications. Without proper documentation, how does the receiving provider know about critical changes (i.e., medication regimens, health status, or development or exacerbation of symptoms)?

 

"LEAVE YOUR COMPETITION AT THE DOOR; THIS IS ABOUT IMPROVING QUALITY."

The Akron Regional Hospital Association (ARHA) has taken a community approach to address these issues by uniting area hospitals and extended care facilities to establish transfer procedures across the continuum of care.

 

Summa medical director Kyle Allen, DO, told the initial meeting attendees to "leave your competition at the door; this is about improving quality."[2] And, they have been doing that ever since. The group meets regularly to develop transfer procedures between hospitals and extended care facilities in Summit, Stark, Medina, and Portage counties.

 

Objectives of the ARHA care coordination network

  • Improve access for patients to post-acute care beds
  • Facilitate transfer of patients across the continuum of care
  • Improve communication and coordination across the continuum of care
  • Optimize the combined expertise and knowledge of participating providers to achieve desired clinical outcomes
  • Leverage combined efforts to effectively manage healthcare resources
  • Improve patient outcomes
The ARHA encourages all providers in the four-county area (and any facility that sends or receives residents from ARHA hospitals) to use two forms: (1) Acute Care Hospital to Extended Care Facility Transfer Form released in 2005 and (2) Post Acute to Emergency Department Form released in 2008. (For more information contact the ARHA at 1.330.873.1500 or e-mail at arha@arha.org.)

 

For more information about other care coordination networks in Ohio, contact Ohio KePRO at 1.800.385.5080 or e-mail us at ltc@ohqio.sdps.org.

 

References:

[1] Coleman, E. Posthospital Care Transitions: Patterns, Complications, and Risk Identification. Health Serv Res. 2004 October; 39(5): 1449–1466. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2004.00298.x. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1361078, last accessed 3/19/08.

[2] McCarthy, D. Case Study: Summa Health System's Care Coordination Network. May 2007. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/innovations/innovations_show.htm?doc_id=670424#note1, last accessed 3/19/08.

 

 

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

 

Cardiac Care Concerns Teleconference Recording Available on CD-ROM
Date recorded: March 6, 2008

Speaker: Kathy Machingo, RN, BSN, CNA-BC, Manager of the CHG Clinics for St. Joseph and St. Elizabeth Health Centers

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the pathophysiology of heart failure.
  • Develop a plan of care that includes preventable measures for heart failure.
  • Describe the reportable symptoms and early interventions for worsening heart failure.
  • Describe clinical implications of core medications for heart failure treatment.

Click here to order today
(Allow 10 business days for delivery)

 

 

IN THE NEWS

 

MAYO RESEARCHERS SAY ECG STANDARDS SHOULD BE REVISED FOR ELDERLY

March 14, 2008 -- Mayo Clinic -- Researchers at the Mayo Clinic suggest that the established "normal" ranges for evaluating electrocardiograms for persons over 80 years old should be "revisited." The recommendation comes in a study published today in the American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. | Read the release | Read the abstract

 

 

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH® (PDF)

March 2008 -- CMS -- 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. | Read more (PDF)

 

 

INDUSTRY EVENTS

 

 

NAVIGATING THE MDS THROUGH THE OHIO MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM

May 1, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET

Speakers: Claire Spellmire, RN, BSN, and Karen Jennings, LNHA, MHA, from the Case Mix Section, Bureau of Long Term Care Facilities, Office of Ohio Health Plans.

Cost: Free

 

For more information or to register, call Cheryl Robertson at (614) 466-9088.

Space is limited to two per facility.

 

Cuyahoga Community College Spring ’08 Continuing Education
Schedule for Gerontology Professionals

 

Health Policy Institute of Ohio: Regional Meetings on the Ohio Family Violence Prevention Project

Medicare Learning Network: Learning resources and products for the healthcare professional.

 

Alzheimer’s Association Training Events

 

AOPHA Events

 

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Courses

 

Ohio Department of Health, Technical Assistance Program – New Programs

 

Ohio Health Care Association Events

 

 

 

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