May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month

May is national High Blood Pressure Education Month; there’s still time to encourage activities in your organization and raise awareness. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure is usually preventable with simple steps, yet it kills more...
Added Sugars Easy to Find on Improved Nutrition Labels

Added Sugars Easy to Find on Improved Nutrition Labels

The food industry has changed in the last 20 years but the Nutrition Facts label has remained the same…until now.  To encourage healthier food and beverage choices, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed an improved label with new information...
Beyond Medication Reconciliation; Correct Medication Lists

Beyond Medication Reconciliation; Correct Medication Lists

  Medication reconciliation is a major focus of quality measurement activities, and according to The Joint Commission, primary care clinicians are expected to reconcile a patient’s medications at every visit. Medication reconciliation is sometimes defined as the...
Dr. Johnson Shares Insights on Diabetes Self-Management

Dr. Johnson Shares Insights on Diabetes Self-Management

The South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care as part of the Great Plains Quality Innovation Network (Great Plains QIN) has partnered with the South Dakota State Medical Association to offer a ten-part series of webinar briefs.  Key patient-centered care topics are...
Seeking Success Stories…Do You Have a Story to Share?

Seeking Success Stories…Do You Have a Story to Share?

Have you implemented a process that has improved patient care or staff satisfaction? Are you working towards improving resident care in your home? Have you established a partnership in your community to improve care coordination? Have you formed a quality improvement...
Action Framework to Achieve Health Equity

Action Framework to Achieve Health Equity

In a recent CMS Office of Minority Health blog post: Minority Health Month (April), CMS Office of Minority Health Director Cara James outlined an action framework for reducing disparities and improving care and health for all. The framework emphasizes the importance...
Achieving the “Correct” Medication List

Achieving the “Correct” Medication List

Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) are a leading cause of injury and death within healthcare systems around the world.¹ Many of these events occur as a result of poor communication between health professionals and between health professionals and patients/caregivers. The...
Hand Hygiene: Simple and Effective

Hand Hygiene: Simple and Effective

  Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections. Cleaning your hands can prevent the spread of germs, including those that are resistant to antibiotics and are becoming difficult, if not impossible, to treat. On average, healthcare...