July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to highlight the unique strengths and challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in relation to mental health. Named in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, a journalist, teacher, author...
Roadmap to Better Care: Tribal Version Updated

Roadmap to Better Care: Tribal Version Updated

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) and Division of Tribal Affairs (DTA) recently shared the newly updated Coverage to Care (C2C) Roadmap to Better Care: Tribal Version, to better address the specific health needs of...
The Direct Benefits of Quitting Vaping & Nicotine

The Direct Benefits of Quitting Vaping & Nicotine

As healthcare providers, when counseling patients about smoking or vaping cessation, we need to emphasize the immediate health benefits an individual can experience with quitting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), after more than 20...
The Confusion with Billing Medicare for Respiratory Vaccines is Real

The Confusion with Billing Medicare for Respiratory Vaccines is Real

Billing issues related to COVID-19 vaccines can arise due to various factors, such as insurance coverage, government reimbursement policies, and administrative errors. The second round of 23-24 updated COVID-19 vaccines are upon us. To try to alleviate issues with...
Sepsis: STOP And TELL Tool | Knowing the Signs of Sepsis Could Save a Life

Sepsis: STOP And TELL Tool | Knowing the Signs of Sepsis Could Save a Life

In North Dakota and South Dakota, sepsis is the #1 admission and readmission diagnosis. With sepsis, time is of the essence. For every hour of delayed treatment, the risk of death increases by between 4 and 9 percent.¹ Experts say that 80 percent of sepsis deaths...
Opioid Utilization in Hospice and Palliative Care: Compassionate Pain Care Has to be Individualized

Opioid Utilization in Hospice and Palliative Care: Compassionate Pain Care Has to be Individualized

Addressing the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of dying patients includes management of their pain. But how have increasing concerns and policies that target opioid misuse impacted their pain management options? The American Medical Association...
Oral Health To Prevent Pneumonia in Healthcare Settings

Oral Health To Prevent Pneumonia in Healthcare Settings

Pneumonia is the one of the most common healthcare-associated infection in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), non-ventilator healthcare associated pneumonia (NV-HAP) is estimated to make up 65% of all...
Navigating Medication Errors: Ensuring the Safety and Well-Being of Patients 

Navigating Medication Errors: Ensuring the Safety and Well-Being of Patients 

Medication error procedures in healthcare facilities are critical for ensuring patient safety. According to the National Library of Medicine, 7,000 to 9,000 people die due to a medication error. Therefore, it is crucial to follow and adhere to medication prescribing...