by Keri McDermott | Jun 21, 2022 | Covid-19, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Hospitals, Immunizations, Patient Safety
We are hoping to clarify the masking requirements for healthcare providers in various healthcare settings. According to CDC Guidance (February 2, 2022) the following applies. Health Care Providers (HCPs) who are up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine and...
by Keri McDermott | Jun 13, 2022 | CMS News, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Quality Care Coalition
The CMS National Quality Strategy: A Person-Centered Approach to Improving Quality explores the role of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in improving health outcomes and healthcare quality, and the challenges that have been exacerbated due to the...
by Keri McDermott | Jun 9, 2022 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Health Equity, Quality Care Coalition, Uncategorized
We recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Josh Deutsch, Development Coordinator with the HERO Program in Fargo, ND. HERO’s mission is to provide access to affordable healthcare equipment and supplies for all, through the collection and distribution of...
by Keri McDermott | Jun 6, 2022 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Nursing Home Quality, Quality Care Coalition
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) recently announced the names of the 180 recipients of the 2022 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. Three South Dakota homes received the honor. Avantara Arlington, Avantara...
by Keri McDermott | Jun 3, 2022 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Healthcare-Associated Infections, Nursing Home Quality, Patient Safety, Quality Care Coalition
Education and training around proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential. We know knowledge gaps exist and proper techniques are not always implemented, especially when it comes to donning and doffing. If the appropriate protocol is not followed,...
by Keri McDermott | Jun 3, 2022 | Antibiotic Stewardship, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Medication Safety, Nursing Home Quality, Opioids, Patient Safety, Quality Care Coalition
Great Plains Quality Innovation Network recently updated its Antipsychotic Reduction Resident Prioritization Tool. This tool is designed to assist an interdisciplinary team to identify where to begin a gradual dose reduction of antipsychotic medications and which...
by Keri McDermott | May 24, 2022 | Covid-19, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Immunizations, Nursing Home Quality, Quality Care Coalition
How to Have Productive Vaccine Conversations – Moving the Needle Towards Vaccine Acceptance Vaccines, particularly the COVID-19 vaccine, can be a polarizing and uncomfortable topic. Healthcare professionals are the most reliable source for vaccine-related...
by Keri McDermott | May 12, 2022 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Nursing Home Quality, Patient Safety, Quality Care Coalition
The Bismarck Tribune has partnered with local hospitals, nursing schools, long-term care and businesses to recognize nurses in the Bismarck, Mandan and the surrounding area who go above and beyond to deliver compassionate care. Access the article. This year, 68...
by Keri McDermott | May 9, 2022 | Care Coordination, Chronic Disease Self-Management, Events, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Health Equity, Home Health, Nursing Home Quality, Patient Safety, Quality Care Coalition
Rural adults are more likely than urban counterparts to have a larger range of chronic conditions³ and extensive disparities in health, such as greater rates of death, pain and suffering and reduced life expectancy². The increasing need for palliative care services...
by Keri McDermott | May 2, 2022 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Immunizations, Nursing Home Quality, Quality Care Coalition
Great Plains QIN updated the GPQIN Electronic Vaccination Tracking Log to include the second COVID-19 booster, pneumococcal vaccines PCV15 and PCV20. This Excel tracking log is designed as a ‘quick review’ for the MDS person and/or infection preventionist...
by Keri McDermott | Apr 25, 2022 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Medication Safety, Nursing Home Quality, Opioids, Public Observances, Quality Care Coalition
The Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 30, 2022. This event, which happens twice a year, is a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs at locations in communities...
by Keri McDermott | Apr 19, 2022 | Care Coordination, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Health Equity, Quality Care Coalition
Great Plains QIN and the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care are co-sponsoring a series of health equity and health disparity learning events. Imagine bare cupboards, an empty gas tank, and a pile of past due bills. Pile on a chronic physical or mental health...
