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![Medicare Announces Participants in Effort to Improve Access, Quality of Care in Rural Areas](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MMD-map.png)
Medicare Announces Participants in Effort to Improve Access, Quality of Care in Rural Areas
Recently, CMS announced the participants in the Frontier Community Health Integration Project (FCHIP) Demonstration, an effort to increase access to care for Medicare beneficiaries in areas of the country where access to health services can be limited because of...
![Immunizations: Protecting Yourself, Your Patients and Loved Ones](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/National-Immunization-Awareness-Month795x124.jpg)
Immunizations: Protecting Yourself, Your Patients and Loved Ones
All adults need immunizations to help them prevent getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, missed work, medical bills and not being able to care for family or loved ones. August is National Immunization Awareness Month. We can all use...
![Preventing infections in ASCs: It’s All about Teamwork](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Hand-Washing-1080x200.jpg)
Preventing infections in ASCs: It’s All about Teamwork
Surgical site infections are dangerous, costly and preventable. Everyone in Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) has a role in preventing them. The new infographic, “It Takes a Team,” has tips for ASC leaders, caregivers, patients and families on ways they can keep...
![CMS Updates Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Ratings](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/woman-yellow-nurse.jpg)
CMS Updates Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Ratings
New quality measures are now included in the overall calculation for Nursing Home star ratings Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Ratings to incorporate new measures, giving...
![Pharmacies Play a Vital Role in Improving Vaccination Rates among Medicare Consumers](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/flu-shot.png)
Pharmacies Play a Vital Role in Improving Vaccination Rates among Medicare Consumers
We are preparing for vaccination season! The Great Plains Quality Innovation Network (QIN) is working to improve vaccination rates of Medicare consumers in the region. Pharmacies play a vital role in many of our quality improvement activities, including ensuring...
![Have you Heard the Term “FluFIT”? What’s it all About?](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2men.png)
Have you Heard the Term “FluFIT”? What’s it all About?
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death. In the US in 2016, it is estimated that 134,490 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer and 49,190 people will die from the disease (American Cancer Society, 2016). Colon cancer is preventable....
![Better Patient Experience Begins With Improving Doctor Communication Skills](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/male-doc-pt1200x290-1080x290.jpg)
Better Patient Experience Begins With Improving Doctor Communication Skills
On July 21, FierceHealthcare reported the Cleveland Clinic is helping doctors improve the patient experience by teaching communication strategies that create better relationships with patients. One of the biggest challenges in implementing the new program was...
![Immunization Toolkit to Reach Underserved Populations](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/health-is-wealth.png)
Immunization Toolkit to Reach Underserved Populations
Preparing for the Flu in your Community The CDC has partnered with the National Influenza Vaccination Disparities Partnership (NIVDP) to create a toolkit for community organizations to reach underserved populations. The toolkit is packed with information to become...
![New Study Helps Determine Which Older Adults Might Need Help Taking Medications](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Falling-Medication.jpg)
New Study Helps Determine Which Older Adults Might Need Help Taking Medications
Adherence to medications is important in ensuring that therapeutic benefits are delivered to patients. However, adherence to medications is an issue, especially among the elderly. A recently published study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society cited that...
![Better Patient Experience Begins With Improving Doctor Communication Skills](https://greatplainsqin.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/male-doc-pt1200x290-1080x290.jpg)
CRC Screenings and the Patient Centered Medical Home: WebEx Invite
Registration is open for the July 28th webinar on the Patient Centered Medical Home and CRC screening. We invite you to attend! The National Colorectal Cancer Round Table (NCCRT) will be hosting a webinar on Colorectal Cancer Screening in the Patient Centered Medical...