gear icons, health related

The Great Plains QIN Nebraska team hosted a one-day educational session on Wednesday, March 7 in Kearney, Nebraska. The event, Collaborating for Success: Moving Beyond the Quality Payment Program, was a big success!

The session was an opportunity to learn more about the healthcare environment, past, present and future. Lessons learned, available resources and updates were shared by presenters and attendees. Healthcare professionals from clinics across the state were represented.

Dr. Robert Wergin [Memorial Health Care Systems in Seward] set the tone for the day by discussing physician engagement, improving communication and bringing it back to what matters: our patients. Nebraska Quality Payment (QPP) partners shared information on their unique programs, assistance available and their role in improving care in the state. Partners included Michelle Hood [Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; Office of Health Statistics]; Tony Troester [Nebraska Health Information Initiative and TCPi] and Andy Link [Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – Chronic Disease Prevention and Control].

“We are very pleased with the number of attendees and level of engagement overall. The goal was to complement the work Nebraska clinics are doing and help strengthen partnerships with providers and patients. We are thankful to our presenters and panel members who helped contribute to the success of the day. We learned a lot from the information and perspectives shared throughout the day,” stated Jane Stotts, RN, BSN; Quality Improvement Advisor.

Creating a culture of person and family engagement was the focus of Susan Brown’s [Telligen, Inc] presentation. Thanks to Susan for reminding us of the need to involve the patient and family members in the care team when making decisions. She also shared the 5 steps to a patient centered culture.

Dr. Daniel DeFreece [Nebraska City Medical Clinic] offered insight on defining ‘engagement’, understanding the value and tools to foster engagement. Gayla Hasenkamp [McCook Clinic, PC] ended the day sharing her knowledge and expertise on chronic care management.

Stotts added, “Throughout the day, we received great questions from attendees on a wide variety of topics which reinforced that a learning opportunity like this was needed. I am pleased that the agenda topics connected so well and seemed to build on one another.  Feedback and comments from attendees were very positive and complimentary. This was a wonderful day of learning and networking. We appreciate all who took time out of their day to attend.”

The Great Plains QIN has established a Quality Payment Program (QPP) Service Center. Our subject matter experts, in all four states, are available to assist in answering your questions, provide technical assistance and support for reporting your measures and activities. As an added bonus, by partnering with Great Plains Quality Innovation Network, you can earn points on your Improvement Activities Category. Don’t hesitate to call us to set up an appointment. Learn more and access our team member information on our Web site.