Rural health care quality resources related to rural health and human services, with information provided by the Rural Assistance Center Copyright 2008 Rural Assistance Center http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/quality/ A new study by The Joint Commission, which is being funded in part by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, aims to find new ways to help consumers better understand health care quality data and use the information to make informed health care decisions. http://www.jointcommission.org/NewsRoom/NewsReleases/nr_05_14_08.htm Thu, 15 May 2008 08:43:55 CST http://www.jointcommission.org/NewsRoom/NewsReleases/nr_05_14_08.htm Funding for projects to examine the effects of public reporting and pay-for-performance on quality of care. -- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=1911 Wed, 14 May 2008 13:31:25 CST http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=1911 The CDC is requesting comments and recommendations on the request by NCHM on a 3-year approval for the generic concept of health marketing to provide feedback on the development, implementation and satisfaction regarding public health services, products, communication campaigns and information. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-10791.htm Wed, 14 May 2008 08:22:58 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-10791.htm Describes the prevalence of evidence-based safe medication practices, including the use of voluntary medication error reporting, in small rural hospitals. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/IssueBrief2008-1.pdf Thu, 01 May 2008 09:46:58 CST http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/IssueBrief2008-1.pdf AHA News reports that the U.S. faces an impending shortage of up to 44,000 generalist physicians to care for adults, according to a study published online today by Health Affairs. http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=8588 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:25:47 CST http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=8588 Health care costs rank among Americans’ top personal economic problems, and their struggles to deal with those costs have affected both their financial well-being and their family’s health care, a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll finds. http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/h08_pomr042908nr.cfm Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:46:53 CST http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/h08_pomr042908nr.cfm The Rural Health Resource Center announces that registration for the 2008 National Conference on Medication Access, Use andSafety in Rural America to be held in Minneapolis, MN on June 5-6 is now available. http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=8557 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:00:29 CST http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=8557 AHA News reports that The Institute for Safe Medication Practices has issued guidelines to help health professionals safely use automated dispensing cabinets to store and dispense drugs near the point of care. http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=8556 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:05:34 CST http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=8556 USA Today article reports that high-tech emergency departments, staffed with doctors and nurses, but often miles from a hospital are increasing rapidly nationwide. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2008-04-24-emergency-rooms-stand-alone_N.htm?csp=34 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:40:23 CST http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2008-04-24-emergency-rooms-stand-alone_N.htm?csp=34 An award program to honor a pharmacist-led multidisciplinary team for its significant institution-wide system improvements relating to medication use. -- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=1131 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:26:20 CST http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=1131 MSNBC article tells how patients want the convenience of e-mail for non-urgent medical issues, but fewer than a third of U.S. doctors use e-mail to communicate with patients, according to recent physician surveys. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24260074/ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:36:51 CST http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24260074/ The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is requesting nominations for the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. Nominations should be received on or before June 15, 2008. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-8614.htm Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:26:40 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-8614.htm Supports and advances the AHEC network in improving the health of individuals and communities by transforming health care through education. http://www.nationalahec.org/home/index.asp Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:51:28 CST http://www.nationalahec.org/home/index.asp Macon.com, (GA) discusses the problems arising with continued cuts to Medicare reimbursements to physicians and how the problem is exacerbated by a national doctor shortage. http://www.macon.com/198/story/327374.html Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:22:02 CST http://www.macon.com/198/story/327374.html In order to achieve significant gains in quality and efficiency, the health care delivery systemthe way providers are organized and care is deliveredwill need fundamental and systemic changes, say health care and health policy leaders according to the latest Commonwealth Fund/Modern Healthcare Health Care Opinion Leaders Survey. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/newsroom/newsroom_show.htm?doc_id=678657 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:18:55 CST http://www.commonwealthfund.org/newsroom/newsroom_show.htm?doc_id=678657 As the face of America continues to change, a research report released today by The Joint Commission, entitled "One Size Does Not Fit All: Meeting the Health Care Needs of Diverse Populations," urges health care organizations to assess their capacity to meet patients unique cultural and language needs. http://www.jointcommission.org/NewsRoom/NewsReleases/nr_04_21_08.htm Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:22:32 CST http://www.jointcommission.org/NewsRoom/NewsReleases/nr_04_21_08.htm CIGNA HealthCare announced that it is taking steps to stop reimbursing hospitals for so-called never events and avoidable hospital conditions, which are errors in patient care that can and should be prevented. http://newsroom.cigna.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=888 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:15:05 CST http://newsroom.cigna.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=888 On February 29, 2008, HHS published a notice of proposed rulemaking, "Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas" (73 FR 11232), to revise and consolidate the criteria and processes for designating medically underserved populations (MUPs) and health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). HHS provided a 60-day public comment period, with written comments to be received on or before April 29, 2008. HHS and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have received requests for an extension of the comment period. In consideration of these requests, HHS is extending the comment period an additional 30 days, with a new closing date of May 29, 2008. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/08-1167.htm Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:45:42 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/08-1167.htm The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced that they are extending the comment period for the Proposed Rule: Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas, with a new closing date of May 29, 2008. http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/ Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:40:48 CST http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/ The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced steps it is taking to encourage physicians and other eligible professionals to take part in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI), a program designed to improve the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries. http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=8507 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:06:07 CST http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=8507 Designed to support health care professionals in sharing and adopting innovations that improve the delivery of care to patients. -- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality http://www.innovations.ahrq.gov/ Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:32:00 CST http://www.innovations.ahrq.gov/ NewsChannel 9 WSYR, (NY) article tells how neurological specialists are now available to stroke patients in rural areas...over the Internet. http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=87a946d3-b7da-4e66-acc0-eadfc87dbbb5 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:39:53 CST http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=87a946d3-b7da-4e66-acc0-eadfc87dbbb5 A one-stop shop for rural hospitals to access distance and web-based educational resources on topics including community engagement, hospital finance, management and leadership, performance improvement, workforce and quality. -- Rural Health Resource Center http://www.ruralcenter.org/?id=rhe Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:52:04 CST http://www.ruralcenter.org/?id=rhe Offers conferences and seminars that provide opportunities to learn the latest improvement ideas, connect with like-minded colleagues, and generate momentum for change in an organization. -- Institute for Healthcare Improvement http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Programs/ConferencesAndSeminars/ Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:57:30 CST http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Programs/ConferencesAndSeminars/ Presents findings from the State Health Policies Aimed at Promoting Excellent Systems project, undertaken by the National Academy for State Health Policy, with support from The Commonwealth Fund. -- Commonwealth Fund http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=676496 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:13:58 CST http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=676496 Provides a quality improvement framework for health care organizations seeking to promote culturally appropriate care, provide equitable access for individuals with limited English proficiency and reduce health care disparities. -- National Committee for Quality Assurance http://www.ncqa.org/Portals/0/HEDISQM/CLAS/CLAS_toolkit.pdf Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:16:41 CST http://www.ncqa.org/Portals/0/HEDISQM/CLAS/CLAS_toolkit.pdf Study shows that hospitals may lack the financial incentives needed to improve safety. -- Commonwealth Fund http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/1116_Mello_who_pays_medical_errors_JnlEmpLegalStu_.pdf?section=4039 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:49:39 CST http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/1116_Mello_who_pays_medical_errors_JnlEmpLegalStu_.pdf?section=4039 Examines the amount of and trends in geographic variation in health care spending, mostly in the Medicare program, and the causes of that variation. Also examines the relationship between spending and quality of care. -- Congressional Budget Office http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/89xx/doc8972/02-15-GeogHealth.pdf Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:04:05 CST http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/89xx/doc8972/02-15-GeogHealth.pdf Provides State-specific health care quality information, including strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. -- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality http://statesnapshots.ahrq.gov/snaps07/index.jsp Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:30:44 CST http://statesnapshots.ahrq.gov/snaps07/index.jsp Discusses how establishing national goals for the U.S. health system, setting priorities for improvement, and making an annual report to Congress on health system performance can ensure access to and accountability of healthcare that is essential to the well-being of all Americans. -- Commonwealth Fund http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=673038 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:39:39 CST http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=673038