Putting patients first is a top national priority.... In October, CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced the “Patients over Paperwork” initiative, which is in accord with President Trump’s Executive Order that directs federal agencies to “cut the red tape” to reduce...

While cardiovascular disease–related deaths have fallen since the 1950s, decades of rising rates of obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes have contributed to slowing progress. A closer look at this data shows an increase in deaths for individuals 35 to 64 years of...

Health care is expensive and individuals diagnosed with diabetes spend twice as much on their care. Many factors including age, physical activity and family history put individuals at risk for developing pre-diabetes or diabetes.  While lifestyle and behavior can...

Originally published in the South Dakota Medicine Journal, February 2018 Stephan Schroeder, MD, CMD, CMQ Medical Director, South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care February is American Heart Month and offers an opportunity to focus on a significant factor in cardiac...

The old saying 'communication is key' applies to all situations, especially healthcare. Furthermore, communicating to residents and their families about antibiotic reduction can sometimes be a hard task. Any action taken to improve antibiotic use is expected to reduce...

MIPS Reporting Deadlines Fast Approaching Deadlines are fast approaching if you plan to submit data for the 2017 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance period. Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your data. Submit early and often. The two key...

  Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Summit Friday, June 1, 2018 More than 2 million people are estimated to be infected by antibiotic-resistant organisms which result in over 14,000 deaths annually. Antibiotic resistance and the scarce antibiotic choices for...

FierceHealthcare recently reported on three key strategies to overcome challenges that hospitals face when implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs), according to a new study published in the Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. “As...

Healthcare professionals are quick to respond to any individual experiencing symptoms of a potential heart attack or stroke. Immediate treatment reduces damage and saves lives.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading...

This year's influenza season has hit hard across the globe. Most people who get the flu fully recover, however, the flu can lead to major health complications, including sepsis. Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage,...