by Keri McDermott | Jan 25, 2021 | Cardiac Care, Chronic Disease Self-Management, Featured, Public Observances
Chronic disease prevention and self-management are keys to reducing the prevalence and impact of heart disease. The National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute (NHBLI) celebrates American Heart Month in February to motivate Americans to adopt healthy lifestyles to...
by Keri McDermott | Aug 19, 2020 | Featured, Public Observances
In 2011, Sepsis Alliance designated September as Sepsis Awareness Month. Every September since, individuals and healthcare professionals, in every area of medicine and organizations big and small, are encouraged to help save lives by raising awareness of the leading...
by Keri McDermott | Jul 21, 2020 | Covid-19, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Immunizations, Nursing Home Quality, Public Observances
Healthcare professionals play a key role in educating our communities about the importance of vaccination. National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is right around the corner. NIAM month [August] provides the opportunity to raise awareness and encourage everyone...
by Keri McDermott | Jun 29, 2020 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Nursing Home Quality, Public Observances, Quality of Care Transitions
The number of Americans over 65 years living with Alzheimer’s could jump from five million to 15 million by 2050, according to the 2020 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. The rising trend fuels advocates across the country to promote Alzheimer’s and...
by Keri McDermott | Jun 16, 2020 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Public Observances
Did you know men are less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than women, on average? Part of this is because men are more likely to go long periods of time without going to the doctor, they’re less likely to adopt preventive health measures and are more likely...
by Keri McDermott | Jun 5, 2020 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Nursing Home Quality, Public Observances, Quality of Care Transitions
Five million Americans over 65 years are living with Alzheimer’s. This number could nearly triple by 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2020 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. To shed light on the growing need for dementia care and...
by Keri McDermott | May 5, 2020 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Public Observances
Who would’ve known the warriors in the battlefield of COVID-19 would be at your local hospital, nursing home, assisted living center, memory care community and community retirement center? So often overlooked and taken for granted they have served on the front line....
by Keri McDermott | May 4, 2020 | Covid-19, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Public Observances
World Hand Hygiene Day Celebrated every year on May 5, Hand Hygiene Day mobilizes people around the world to increase adherence to hand hygiene in health care facilities, thus protecting healthcare workers and patients from infections. Practicing hand hygiene is a...
by Keri McDermott | Apr 10, 2020 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Nursing Home Quality, Public Observances
Written by: Michelle Lauckner, RN, CADDCT, CDP, RAC-CT, IP-BC; Quality Improvement Advisor [Great Plains Quality Innovation Network] This day reminds us of the need to not only support our patients and nursing home residents in the formulating and following of Advance...
by Keri McDermott | Apr 10, 2020 | Covid-19, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Public Observances, Uncategorized
Public health is defined as the science of protecting the safety and improving the health of communities through education, policy making and research for disease and injury prevention. As we end this week in April, with much of the news focusing on COVID-19, we want...
by Keri McDermott | Apr 7, 2020 | Covid-19, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Public Observances
Let’s do our part to prevent and control infections. Handwashing remains the #1 tip for preventing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). It’s common sense and it works. However, it must be done properly. Proper handwashing not only reduces the spread of...
by Keri McDermott | Mar 9, 2020 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Public Observances
Some studies suggest that as many as 400,000 deaths occur in the United States each year as a result of errors or preventable harm. Not every case of harm results in death, yet they can cause long-term impact on the patient’s physical health, emotional health,...
