by Keri McDermott | Oct 12, 2021 | Behavioral Health Outcomes, Chronic Disease Self-Management, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Nursing Home Quality, Patient Safety, Public Observances, Quality Care Coalition, Quality of Care Transitions
Personal health literacy is when individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services for health-related decisions for themselves and others. Complicated and unfamiliar words leave nearly nine out of ten American adults struggling to...
by Keri McDermott | Oct 2, 2021 | Covid-19, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Home Health, Hospitals, Immunizations, Nursing Home Quality, Public Observances, Quality Care Coalition
Every year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) takes action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers to help keep you updated on the latest influenza (flu) vaccine resources from the Department of Health and Human...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 21, 2021 | Care Coordination, Chronic Disease Self-Management, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Nursing Home Quality, Public Observances, Quality Care Coalition
Diabetes Self Management Education and Support (DSMES) has been shown to improve health outcomes. However, despite considerable evidence that DSMES services are cost-effective and have a positive impact on diabetes-related outcomes, utilization of DSMES services is...
by Keri McDermott | Aug 19, 2021 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Patient Safety, Public Observances
Infection is a common health concern with the potential to transform from a minor inconvenience to a life-threatening health crisis called sepsis. Built to fight infection, the body’s overwhelming response may cause sepsis and lead to tissue damage, organ failure,...
by Keri McDermott | Aug 19, 2021 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Patient Safety, Public Observances
Falls are the leading cause of injury death in older Americans and, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the death rate continues to rise. Fall Prevention Awareness Week (FPAW), September 20-24, 2021, is an opportunity for...
by Keri McDermott | Jul 20, 2021 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Public Observances, Uncategorized
August is National Immunization Awareness Month The body has a natural ability to adapt and protect against injury and disease. Medical practitioners and researchers have spent centuries identifying ways to enhance and strengthen these built-in healing properties....
by Keri McDermott | Jun 30, 2021 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Health Equity, Public Observances, Quality Care Coalition
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for racial and...
by Keri McDermott | Jun 17, 2021 | Behavioral Health Outcomes, Chronic Disease Self-Management, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Health Equity, Public Observances, Uncategorized
Ongoing agricultural and pandemic stressors have increased the need for mental health services across the Dakotas. During Men’s Health Month in June, the Office of Minority Health’s “6 Plays for Men’s Health” campaign promotes a healthy lifestyle consisting of support...
by Keri McDermott | May 18, 2021 | Featured, Great Plains QIN, Public Observances, Quality Care Coalition, Quality of Care Transitions
Community Health Improvement (CHI) Week is celebrated the first week in June to honor individuals and organizations who work to bridge gaps and improve health in their community. Whether focusing on vulnerable populations or a specific health concerns, such as...
by Keri McDermott | Apr 20, 2021 | Cardiac Care, Chronic Disease Self-Management, Featured, Great Plains QIN, Public Observances
Routine check-ups and monitoring of blood pressure can prevent cardiovascular health concerns that may result in a life-threatening stroke or cardiac event. While blood pressure can go up and down throughout the day, individuals who consistently have a blood pressure...
