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CCV NEWS DIGEST FOR APRIL, 2007
** BUILDING CAPACITIES
** DISPARITIES - MULTICULTURAL CARE
** FUNDING
** GREEN BUILDINGS
** HEALTH POLICY & TRENDS
** HEALTH REFORM
** HELP WANTED
** HIPAA
** IMMIGRANT HEALTH
** IT & HEALTHCARE
** MEDICAID
** PATIENT CARE
** QUALITY
** UNIFORM DATA SYSTEM (UDS)
** WORKFORCE
** UPCOMING EVENTS
** BUILDING CAPACITIES:
ENHANCING COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM NOTES - Notes are now online from CCI's seminar for pairs of Medical Directors and Executive Directors/CEOs in March. Included is a sample provider compensation plan.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/.eea495a
CAPITAL PROJECT USEFUL TOOLS - CCI has posted an Integrated Capital Project Calendar, along with a Project and Campaign Fact Sheet that provides a snapshot of an organization's capital campaign and project progress. These and related resources are available in the CCI Library "Useful Tool" section at:
http://www.communityclinics.org/section/library/?topic=2
REPORT FROM THE NACHC 2007 STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT MEETING - Outcomes of a three-day discussion of strategic direction for health centers.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58ec
** DISPARITIES - MULTICULTURAL CARE:
PRENATAL CARE STUDY: CHALLENGES TO GROWING A MORE NURTURING SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - While California has better prenatal care rates than other states, there are disparities in factors such as race and ethnicity, and even where a mother lives. A study on prenatal care and low birth weight for infants in the San Joaquin Valley shows that the region continues to have problems providing adequate care for new mothers and their babies.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
WOMEN AND HEALTH COVERAGE: THE AFFORDABILITY GAP - Women are more likely to have problems accessing health care because of costs, the Commonwealth Fund reports. May is Women's Health Month - the goal is for each community in California to hold at least one women’s health event this month.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
CALL FOR ENTRIES: RECOGNIZING INNOVATION IN MULTICULTURAL HEALTH CARE - Award recognizes health plans that promote cultural competence and work to reduce health care disparities. Completed applications must be received by MAY 31.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MORE CULTURALLY COMPETENT CARE - "Snapshot of the Nation" finds an increasingly diverse American population requires broad new strategies to address their needs. The report makes recommendations and shares best practices for health care for diverse populations. In the U.S. 52 million people speak a language other than English at home; many may face language barriers when trying to obtain quality health care. Two recent reports from The California Endowment examine both language access issues and ways Medicare could fund programs to assist Limited English Proficient populations.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58fb
** FUNDING:
FY2008 SERVICE AREA COMPETITION AND BUDGET PERIOD RENEWAL APPLICATION GUIDANCES - Four SAC guidances are now posted, and a replay of the Pre-Application Conference Call to review program expectations and application process for current health center grantees and new applicants is available. Also available is the pre-applicant teleconference call on Non-Competing Continuation Funding for Consolidated Health Centers Budget Period Renewal.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
HRSA ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD IMPLEMENTATION INITIATIVE - Funding to support implementation of an EHR in the context of the HRSA Quality Initiative. This will also include networks interested in spreading their capacity to other centers. Application deadline is MAY 18.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
AT&T EXCELERATOR GRANT PROGRAM - $9 million to help nonprofits integrate technology into their operations and community outreach; applications due MAY 4.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
USDA TELEMEDICINE, DISTANCE LEARNING FUNDS - $128 million in loans and grants will be available for telemedicine and distance learning in 2007. Grants applications are due JUNE 8, applications for loans, and loan and grant combinations are accepted year round.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
START-UP DEMENTIA DAY PROGRAMS - The Brookdale Foundation Group offers seed grants for respite programs and specialized programs for people with early memory loss. Applications are due JULY 6.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECTS TO IMPROVE HEALTH OF IMMIGRANTS & REFUGEES IN U.S - The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Vulnerable Populations Portfolio is accepting grant proposals for new community-based approaches to health and healthcare problems faced by immigrants and refugees in the U.S. Applications due JULY 13.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
RFP: CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH - American Dental Association Foundation offers grants up to $5,000 for community-based, nonprofit educational and preventative programs. Apply by JULY 17.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
RWJF COMMITS $500 MILLION TO REVERSE CHILDHOOD OBESITY - Funds will focus on increasing access to affordable healthy foods and opportunities for safe physical activity in schools and communities.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
AIDS/HIV TREATMENT AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS - M·A·C AIDS Fund accepts grant applications year-round.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
** GREEN BUILDINGS:
CALIFORNIA GREEN CLINICS RESOURCE GUIDE & TRAINING - In collaboration with the Community Clinics Initiative, the Teleosis Institute has compiled local resources and links on: Green Business Certification, Green Energy, Water, Pollution Prevention, Green Products, Zero Waste Event Supplies, Technical Assistance and more. Teleosis also offers the Green Health Care Program, a leadership training that guides health professionals towards a greater understanding of sustainability in health care.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58fe
EARTH DAY TOOLKIT: RESOURCES FOR GREENER TECHNOLOGY PRACTICES - Find and share tips on eco-friendly practices in this wiki toolkit from Techsoup.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58f9
** HEALTH POLICY & TRENDS:
HEALTH CENTER FUNDING LETTERS HEAD TO APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE - Final versions of the House and Senate Health Center Appropriations "Dear Colleague" letters gained support of a majority in both chambers, though in slightly smaller numbers than last year, reports National Association of Community Health Centers. In all, 290 Members of Congress signed the letters urging a $200 million funding increase for Health Centers. The Appropriations Committees will begin marking up their appropriations bills in May, and have set a target date of October 1st for completing all FY08 spending bills.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
FUNDING FOR PATIENT NAVIGATOR PROGRAM IN SENATE BUDGET - The $25 million grant program funds "navigators" at CHCs and elsewhere to help patients and their families overcome barriers to quality care. While Congress has not yet appropriated funds to launch the Patient Navigator program, inclusion of the language in the Budget Resolutions is an encouraging sign.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
HEALTH CENTERS RENEWAL ACT TO REAUTHORIZE CHC PROGRAM - H.R. 1343 in the House and S. 901 in the Senate call for a straight reauthorization of the Health Centers program for five years that preserves the core elements of the program, including the 51% majority community board. They also include funding targets that would allow Health Centers to serve 23 million patients within the next five years - nearly 50% more than today. To date, only 30 Senators and 94 Representatives have co-sponsored the reauthorization bill.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACT INTRODUCED - S 739 authorizes $40 million for Community Health Centers and public health departments to expand dental services.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER EARLY DETECTION PROGRAM EXTENDED - A bill (HR 1132) that reauthorizes CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program through fiscal year 2011 was signed into law April 20. The measure waives requirements for awarding breast and cervical cancer grants to states that meet certain conditions.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
BILL TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME SENIORS RECEIVING MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS BENEFIT - The Helping Fill the Medicare Rx Gap Act (S. 1103) would provide relief for both patients and health centers, says NACHC.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
NEW REPORT SHOWS PRICES FOR TOP MEDICARE PART D DRUGS GREW BY 9.2% IN LAST YEAR - As Senate Republicans defeated a proposal (S 3) to allow the government to negotiate Medicare prescription drug prices, Families USA reported that Part D drug prices grew four times faster than Inflation.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
TULARE COUNTY MAY CLOSE CLINICS - County Board of Supervisors are considering a recommendation by county health officials to close several county clinics by July 1. Harry Foster of Family HealthCare Network says his organization can help provide care to displaced patients. The 30-year-old network serves 85,000 South Valley patients at 10 clinics.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
RURAL PEOPLE, RURAL POLICY INITIATIVE - Funded over a five-year period by the Kellogg Foundation the project builds and strengthens skilled networks and organizations to advocate and act in the rural policy arena.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
BUILDING A BETTER SCHIP - Amid the debate over reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, a new Health Care Opinion Leaders Survey finds strong support for program changes that would help the U.S. provide high-quality health care for all children. A Rand study in California finds solid evidence linking realized access to care with better health outcomes among children.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
CHILDREN’S HEALTH INITIATIVES IN CALIFORNIA: THE EXPERIENCES OF LOCAL COALITIONS - Healthy Kids programs have been successful at reducing the number of uninsured children in California; an article in the American Journal of Public Health identifies best practices. The current U.S. child heath system will require bold, long-term, transformative changes to provide children with a healthy future, contend UCLA researchers.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
ASSURING BETTER CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT (ABCD) SCREENING ACADEMY - The National Academy for State Health Policy has selected 18 states, including California, to participate in a Commonwealth Fund-supported national consortium, to improve early identification of young children with developmental problems.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
TEEN HEALTH RIGHTS INITIATIVE - National Center for Youth Law helps health care providers understand the laws that affect their work, with a focus on reproductive health. And, National Council of La Raza and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy are partnering on a new education and outreach initiative aimed at Latino teens and young adults.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58f5
HHS, CMS KICK OFF A HEALTHIER US STARTS HERE INITIATIVE - New nation-wide bus tour aims to motivate seniors to make the most of Medicare’s preventive services.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
** HEALTH REFORM:
CALHEALTHREFORM.ORG: NEW RESOURCE ON STATEWIDE HEALTH REFORM EFFORTS - Non-partisan site launched by the California HealthCare Foundation and Center for Governmental Studies is a resource for comprehensive analysis, discussion, and news about health care reform in California. It covers major proposals from Governor Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders from both parties.
http://www.calhealthreform.org/
"MEDICARE FOR ALL" BILL WOULD PROVIDE HEALTH IT INCENTIVES - A major health reform bill ((S 1218 and H 2034) introduced April 25 by two chairmen of congressional health committees would provide incentives for nationwide adoption of e-health records and clinical decision support systems. The measure calls for universal coverage of through Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
HOW PHYSICIANS CAN CHANGE THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE - Contending that health care reform must focus on improving health and health care value for patients, a report from JAMA propose a strategy for reform that is market based but physician led.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58f4
** HELP WANTED:
ASIAN PACIFIC HEALTH CARE VENTURE, INC. in Los Angeles County has posted a list of available job opportunities.
LIFELONG MEDICAL CARE in Berkeley seeks a Chief Operating Officer.
QUEENSCARE FAMILY CLINICS in L.A. is hiring a Project Director of Childhood Obesity Program.
For details on the above openings, or to post your own job announcement, visit:
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/Job%20Postings/
** HIPAA:
MORE TIME TO COMPLY WITH NATIONAL PROVIDER IDENTIFIER - An April 2, 2007 guidance from CMS said that covered entities that have "been making a good faith effort to comply" with the NPI rule may adopt a contingency plan for up to one year beyond the May 23, 2007, deadline.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
** IMMIGRANT HEALTH:
DEVELOPING BINATIONAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS - A five-year report from The California Endowment examines how the California-Mexico Health Initiative works to improve the health of California's estimated 5 million Latino immigrants, and in particular 3.8 immigrants of Mexican origin, including over 1 million agricultural workers.
http://calendow.org/reference/publications/agricultural_worker_health.stm#032907
MEXICO SEEKS HEALTH CARE PLAN TO COVER IMMIGRANTS IN THE U.S. -- Mexico's new secretary of health visited San Francisco this month to learn about the health needs of the millions of Mexican immigrants living in California and to further collaboration with the state to meet those needs. Immigrants generally arrive here healthy but see their health deteriorate within several years in large part because they lack access to health care while in the U.S., say UC researchers.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
** IT & HEALTHCARE:
EHR: SELECTION GUIDELINES FOR HEALTH CENTERS - HRSA's Office of Health Information Technology has developed guidelines customized for health centers. The guidelines were developed in consultation with IT staffers and clinicians from health centers, and are designed to help health centers evaluate products and develop requests for proposals or requests for information.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58f7
THE GUIDE TO ESTABLISHING A RHIO - HIMSS step-by-step guide to creating functional regional health information organizations. The book acknowledges that each region is different but also notes that there are basic issues each must address, including that participants must pull together and focus on the common vision.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58eb
HOUSE BILL PROPOSES INCENTIVES TO HELP SMALL PRACTICES WITH HIT - The bipartisan National Health Information Incentive Act offers grants, loans and tax incentives to offset the cost of physicians implementing healthcare IT.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
AHIC RECOMMENDS REWARDING PHYSICIANS FOR EHR USE - The Electronic Health Records Workgroup's pay-for-performance recommendation was accepted in principle by the American Health Information Community; approval expected in June.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
HHS REPORTS ON e-PRESCRIBING STANDARDS - HHS has released reports on five pilot projects, recommending that three proposed new standards for electronic prescribing be adopted for healthcare transactions conducted under Medicare Part D, and that implementation of three other proposed standards be delayed. The endorsed standards cover electronic transmission of medication history, patient health plan drug formulary and benefits, and prescription fill status.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
INTERIM HEALTH IT COORDINATOR KOLODNER TAPPED AS PERMANENT LEADER - Appointed as a career official rather than a political appointee, Kolodner could continue to work as head of ONCHIT beyond the Bush administration. Kolodner said he is focusing on improving collaborations among government healthcare agencies, noting that those synergies can have a positive influence on the private sector.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
CLINIC REFERRALS VIA EHRs - UC-San Diego Medical Center pilot uses a program based on the hospital's electronic health record system to alert emergency department staff when a patient does not have a primary care provider and lives near participating clinics.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY TELEMEDICINE NETWORK PROJECT - $225,000 grant will establish four eHealth centers between San Joaquin and Kern counties and a network hub at UC-Merced. Telemedicine will soon be part of mainstream healthcare, as part of new models to provide care more efficiently and to manage the increasing population with chronic disease, according to "Telemedicine in the Ambulatory Setting: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges," a new white paper from First Consulting Group.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
ANTONIO PIZZIGATI PRIZE FOR SOFTWARE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST - Annual competition, offers a $10,000 award to a software developer who has made, in the spirit of open source computing, an outstanding contribution to the nonprofit world and the ongoing work of social change. Online application portal for 2007 award opens May 1; applications due July 31, 2007.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
CA COMPANY WINS NIH AWARDS TRANSLATION SYSTEM GRANT - Fluential Inc. of Sunnyvale will use an $850,000 federal grant to develop a speech recognition and translation system that will enable nurses and patients to communicate using different languages.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
WikiHIT: COLLABORATIVE FORUM FOR ADVANCING HEALTHCARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - WikiHIT is an online healthcare cooperative public and private partnership that anyone can edit. It benefits from the collaboration of individuals, companies, and governmental/private agencies in the development and refinement of healthcare and life science informatics definitions.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58e8
VistA SEEKS CCHIT CERTIFICATION - VistA, the clinical IT system developed by the Veterans Affairs Department for small physician offices, announced it is seeking Certification Commission on Health Information Technology certification during the fourth round of CCHIT testing, with results to be announced at the end of April.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
AND SEE: The CCV Discussion Topic on VistA:
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea4886
CCHIT RECRUITING FOR VOLUNTEERS & STAFF - The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology announced a restructuring of its volunteer work groups as well as plans to recruit additional staff to support development of a significantly expanded certification program for 2008.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: A STRATEGY FOR CREATING A HEALTHIER COLORADO - The Colorado Health Foundation's Healthy Connections Initiative aims to strengthening care through HIT.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
NYC TO PROVIDE FREE EHR SOFTWARE TO PRACTICES THAT TREAT POORER PATIENTS - eClinicalWorks to be distributed to 1,500 practices over next two years, with a focus on high-volume Medicaid providers.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
AND SEE: THE CCV Discussion Topic on eClinicalWorks - Members are looking for feedback on this product and its suitability to CHCs.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea4907
WORLD HEALTH CARE CONGRESS: HIT KEY IN REFORM OF HEALTHCARE SYSTEM - Information technology may be the best way to reform the ailing U.S. healthcare system, said a number of leading executives at the Annual World Health Care Congress April 23-24, 2007 in Washington, D.C.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
HIMSS 2007 LEADERSHIP SURVEY - Promoting patient safety while reducing medical errors continues to be the top reason for implementing information technology while a lack of financial and staffing resources continues to be the most significant barrier to implementation.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
** MEDICAID:
MEDI-CAL LOST: HOW OVERLY COMPLEX RULES END HEALTH COVERAGE FOR LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS - The Health Consumer Alliance examines how beneficiaries lose their insurance despite being eligible and gives policy recommendations to help low-income Californians maintain consistent health coverage.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
MEDICAID PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT - California might do well to delay compliance with the federal rules while the state compares information from different databases to try to minimize the number of people who will need to establish their citizenship to maintain or apply for Medi-Cal coverage. At least seven states that have gone forward with the rules have seen their Medicaid enrollment fall since the rules took effect.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
STATE MEDICAID PROGRAMS MOVE TOWARDS PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE - More than half of all state Medicaid programs offer health care providers financial incentives to deliver better quality of care, and nearly 85 percent of states plan to have pay-for-performance programs within five years, a new Commonwealth Fund report finds. Unless carefully designed, these programs may have the unintended consequence of increasing racial and ethnic disparities, according to a recent study from Health Affairs. In California, the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA) initiated its pay-for- performance program in 2003.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
** PATIENT CARE:
NEW: HIGH VALUE MEDICATIONS PROJECT TO HELP SAFETY NET CLINICS -- Beginning May 1, community clinics throughout California will get money back for their purchase of selected generic drugs, with reimbursement totaling $2.7 million statewide. Medicine for People in Need (Medpin), a project of the Oakland-based nonprofit Public Health Institute, is launching the project to help safety net clinics serving uninsured or indigent patients in California.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
NEW ASTHMA GUIDELINES TO FOCUS MORE ON DAILY SYMPTOMS - Only one in five children with asthma has the disease under good control, according to sobering findings that are helping to fuel a shift in care to a stronger focus on day-to-day symptoms. New federal guidelines due this summer are expected to urge doctors to more closely monitor whether treatment is truly controlling everyday symptoms and improving patients' quality of life - and to adjust therapy until it does.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
STUDY: PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM NEEDS IMPROVEMENT - Children with autism are less likely to receive the type of primary care advocated by the American Academy of Pediatrics when compared to children with other special health care needs, according to research from the University of Minnesota Medical School. The "medical home model," which is defined by the AAP as accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, compassionate, culturally effective, and coordinated with specialized services was used as a measure for ideal primary care of children.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
** QUALITY:
CCI MEDICAL DIRECTORS ALUMNI SESSION - The 2007 session focused on quality improvement, with a keynote speech by Alan Glaseroff. Presentations from the conference are now available in the CCV Library, including the QI plan, PDSA worksheet, Staff Incentive PDSA Activity Report, Quality Indicators for Warfarin and Quality Indicator spreadsheet that David Campa of Northeast Valley Health Corporation presented:
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58ef
DOCTOR'S OFFICE QUALITY IT UNIVERSITY - CMS this month launched a free online educational tool to help small-to-medium-sized physician practices adopt health IT.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58f6
STUDY PROVIDES ROADMAP FOR COMMUNITY-LEVEL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES - There are vast differences in the way local and regional health care markets use information technology, publicly reported performance measurements and other key initiatives that experts believe could drive improvements in the quality of health care for people with chronic illnesses, according to a new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which underscore the need to account for community variations in any national attempt to improve health care quality,
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
CMS DETAILS MEDICARE PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE BONUSES - Voluntary Physician Quality Reporting Initiative provides for a payment of up to 1.5% on top of physicians’ regular Medicare fees. No prior registration will be needed to take part in the program for the 2007 reporting period.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
INITIATIVE TO TRACK PHYSICIAN PERFORMANCE IN CALIFORNIA - Under a federal contract, the California Cooperative Healthcare Reporting Initiative will use data from Medicare and private insurers in California to evaluate the performance of more than 25,000 providers. CMS will make the scores publicly available later this year.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
ETHICS OF USING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT METHODS IN HEALTH CARE - QI programs should be considered an intrinsic part of good clinical care, according to an article from the Annals of Internal Medicine. The group defined QI as systematic, data-guided activities designed to bring about immediate improvements in healthcare deliver in particular groups.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
** UNIFORM DATA SYSTEM (UDS):
PROPOSED CHANGES TO 2008 UDS MANUAL - A core set of information appropriate for monitoring and evaluating health center performance and reporting on trends is collected through UDS. HRSA has posted proposed changes for 2008. A summary of response to public comment will be available in May, and a Policy Information Notice describing the revised UDS reporting requirement is expected in November, 2007. New Quality of Care Indicators include Childhood Immunization and Lead Test Screening Rates and Pap Test Rate; there are also new Health Outcomes and Disparities measures on low birth weight, hypertension and diabetes. See the CCV Discussion:
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea4954/
** WORKFORCE:
GROWING CALIFORNIA’S HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW - The California Wellness Foundation launches "Make It In Scrubs" Public Education Campaign about the need to increase diversity in health professions as a key strategy for improving the health of the people of California.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
HEALTH CAREERS TRAINING PROGRAM (HCTP) MINI GRANTS - Support for programs that encourage diversity in the health professions. Application Deadline: MAY 29.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH TRAINING ACT INTRODUCED IN SENATE - A bill endorsed by National Association of Community Health Centers seeks better incentives to people entering the medical field to pursue careers in Preventive Medicine.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/April%202007/
** UPCOMING EVENTS:
For information on all events, and to post your own announcements, see the CCV Calendar:
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?dispCal@@.eea464e!m=9&y=2007
May is Women's Health Month
First National Asthma Conference & Awareness Day on Capitol Hill - April 30 - May 2, Washington, D.C.
Office of the Patient Advocate: Symposium on CA Health Reform - May 1-2, Burbank
California Rural Indian Health Board First Annual Training Conference: Empowering Through Education, - May 1-3, Reno, NV
Billing & Compliance Workshop - May 1-3, Reno, NV
Regional Flu Preparedness Workshops - May 1 in Fresno, May 3 in Riverside, May 7 in Chico, May 15 East Bay/Oakland, L.A. area date to be announced.
Core Privileging Essentials -May 2, Las Vegas
Green Guide to Health Care/H2E Green Building Teleconference: : Integrated Design in Construction and Operation - May 4
Buyer Beware: Marketing of Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans - May 8 in San Francisco, June 13 in Redding
Farmworkers Health Conference - May 9-11, Newport Beach
Free Workshop: Asking for a Major Gift - May 11, San Francisco
Why America's Health Insurance is Unraveling -- And Why Even Universal Health Care Can’t Fix It - May 15, Los Angeles
Women Leadership, Education & Advocacy Day - May 16, Sacramento
HIMSS Virtual Conf & Expo: Networking, education, exhibits at your desktop - May 16-17
Collaborating for Success National Conference: Multi-tenant Nonprofit Centers. - May 16-18, San Francisco
Transforming the Health Center (QM-2) - May 17-18, Sacramento
African American Breast Cancer Conference - May 19, Oakland
TEPR (Towards the Electronic Patient Record) - May 19-23, Dallas, TX
CPCA Tele-Training #5: Staffing Regs - May 29
California Tribal/Urban Indian Health Care Conference/Community Wellness Forum - May 30 - June 1, San Diego
Johnson & Johnson/UCLA Health Care Executive Program - June 18-29 and July 22-August 3, Los Angeles
CPCA Tele-Training #6: Billing Compliance - June 19
HIMSS Summit 07 - June 25-26, San Diego
Engaging with Physicians in a Shared Quality Agenda - July 12-14, San Francisco
The Public Health Congress - July 16-18, Washington, D.C.
For information on all events, and to post your own announcements, see the CCV Calendar:
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?dispCal@@.eea464e!m=9&y=2007