by Keri McDermott | Mar 18, 2021 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Patient Safety, Public Observances, Quality of Care Transitions
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes” – Benjamin Franklin. In homage to Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote, National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) has been held the day after the tax deadline (April 16) since 2008. Created to...
by Keri McDermott | Mar 15, 2021 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Patient Safety, Public Observances, Quality Care Coalition
This week, March 14 – 20, we celebrate Patient Safety Awareness Week, an annual recognition event intended to encourage everyone to learn more about health care safety. During this week, important discussions locally and globally are happening to inspire action...
by Keri McDermott | Mar 15, 2021 | Covid-19, Featured, Quality Care Coalition
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on racial and minority populations, including American Indian and Alaska Native communities. National Minority Health Month in April raises awareness of health disparities among racial and minority populations....
by Keri McDermott | Mar 12, 2021 | Covid-19, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Nursing Home Quality
The American Health Quality Association, AHQA, applauds the Biden Administration and Congress for passing the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This historic bill will deliver resources for the COVID public health response and economic aid to those impacted by the...
by Keri McDermott | Mar 10, 2021 | CMS News, Covid-19, Featured, Nursing Home Quality
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued updated guidance today for nursing homes to safely expand visitation options during the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency...
by Keri McDermott | Mar 9, 2021 | Featured, Medication Safety, Nursing Home Quality, Quality Care Coalition
Changes in how the body functions are clear as individuals increase in age. These changes also impact the effects of medication ranging from common over-the-counter cold medicines to prescriptions used to manage chronic disease and mental health concerns. Previously...
by Keri McDermott | Mar 8, 2021 | Chronic Disease Self-Management, Diabetes Care, Featured, Great Plains QIN
Changing eating and exercise habits are common lifestyle recommendations for improving health and preventing disease. Too often a health crisis or unexpected chronic disease diagnosis turns these recommendations into medical necessities. Implementing an effective...
by Keri McDermott | Mar 8, 2021 | Cardiac Care, Chronic Disease Self-Management, Diabetes Care, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Medication Safety, Patient Safety, Uncategorized
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are critical for improving quality improvement initiatives because they provide insight into patient needs and the patient experience. As trusted members of the communities they work in, CHWs see firsthand the gaps that exist in health...
by Keri McDermott | Mar 8, 2021 | CMS News, Covid-19, Featured
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and...
by Keri McDermott | Mar 4, 2021 | CMS News, Featured
The pandemic has brought into even sharper focus the importance of updated emergency response plans. CMS has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and national resources to assist state survey agencies; state, tribal, regional and local emergency...