QIO News Posts
2017 Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. Estimated at $327 Billion
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Lewin Group published a report in March 2018, updated from 2012, showing a 26 percent increase in the costs of diabetes. This is due to increased diabetes prevalence and increased per person cost. This cost increase is...
Disparity Exists in Infectious Disease Deaths
Infectious Disease Deaths Decline, But Disparity Exists Fewer Americans are dying from infectious diseases compared to three decades ago, but the outcome gap between rural and urban areas of the country has widened, according to a new study. Deaths from infectious...
A Culture of Patient Safety
Originally published in the South Dakota Medicine Journal, April 2018 By: Stephan Schroeder, MD, CMD, CMQ Medical Director, South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care The potential for harm in medical care has been known since Hippocrates. The principle of patient...
National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16
"It always seems too early, until it's too late." The National Healthcare Decisions Day Initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to engaging the public in the importance of making decisions about the care they would...
Oral Health in Older Adults: An Essential Component to Overall Health
Recent research suggests ties between poor oral health and diabetes, stroke, heart disease, lung disease and other serious health issues (CDC). In addition, In 2013, an estimated $111 billion was spent on dental services in the United States. Older adults spend more...
Home Health Infection Prevention Toolkit: Now Available
Infections in the home care setting are not uncommon, yet there are few tools and resources specifically designed for the home care professional. To help address this need and make care safer, the Great Plains Quality Innovation Network Home Health Infection...
Pass on the Salt, Say “No” to the Cookie
Couple Benefits from Better Choices, Better Health Carol has lived with type 2 diabetes for seventeen years. She experienced various phases of the disease and managing her health was a struggle. When she learned about a chronic disease self-management program during...
More Than 70% of Antibiotic Prescriptions for Sinus Infections Exceed Recommended Duration
A new study in The Journal of the American Medical Association: Internal Medicine shows almost 70 percent of antibiotic prescriptions for sinus infections are for 10 days, which is longer than the clinical practice guidelines recommend. In addition, more than 20...
Utilizing Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Rural America
The rate of increase in opioid-related deaths in rural America has sounded the alarm calling for health interventions that address not only the drugs themselves, but counseling and behavioral therapies that provide a whole-patient approach. An evidence-based treatment...
One in Three Americans Face Diabetes Risk
The risks for developing type 2 diabetes are common lifestyle challenges faced by many Americans. Advice on how to lose weight, eat well and stay active is everywhere. While many believe they are on track, one in three is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Of...