September is National Pain Awareness Month. To bring awareness to the importance of individualized, multidisciplinary, and multimodal approaches to pain care, we posed questions about life with chronic pain and …
The Patient’s Perspective: Whole Person Care Addressing Chronic Pain Read More »
Despite decades of progress in the United States, tobacco use remains a pressing public health concern as the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death. States and local stakeholders continue …
Increasing Referrals for Smoking Cessation Counseling Read More »
View the latest hospital equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating healthcare disparities within your health system and communities. In this issue:
The rapid identification and treatment of persons with sepsis and septic shock continues to be a challenge in our medical system. We have made great progress in approaching the critical treatment …
The extreme heat that has been affected large portions of the United States this summer is expected to continue. Nursing homes, homecare agencies, and other providers should educate their staff …
Heat Advisory Triggers Warnings for Vulnerable Populations Read More »
by Robert C. Accetta, RPh, BCGP, FASCP, Sr. Pharmacist, HCQIP, IPRO The FDA granted traditional approval of Leqembi (lecanimab-irmb), a monoclonal antibody drug which may help reduce the progression of …
As part of discharge planning, hospitals are expected to provide post-acute providers and caregivers information, including current course of illness and treatment, post-discharge goals of care, and treatment preferences, to …
Tools to Support Safe Care Transition Communications Read More »
View the new edition of our health equity newsletter featuring news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating healthcare disparities within your communities. This month, read about Asian …
Vaccines Are Not Just for Kids by Amy Sgueglia, MSN, RN, MAIC Facilitator, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. The COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccine have underscored the importance …
Falls represent a major public health problem around the world and continue to be the most common adverse event in healthcare settings.The IPRO Hospital Quality Improvement Contractor (HQIC), in collaboration …
Fall and Injury Prevention: A 6-Part Webinar Series Read More »
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 Start Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET Join us for a webinar featuring subject matter experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) …
TAP: A Strategy to Prioritize and Implement HAI Prevention Efforts in Your Hospital Read More »
View the new edition of our health equity newsletter featuring news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating healthcare disparities within your communities. This month, read about National …
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, in fact on average, smokers die nearly 10 years earlier than nonsmokers.[1] Quitting smoking is one of the most important actions people …
Rhode Island Tobacco Cessation: Help your patients take their last smoke break. Read More »
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023 Start Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM Hospitals and health systems are working to address the non-medical factors that influence health, known as social determinants of …
Integrating Z-Codes into Your Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Strategy Read More »
By Charles W. Redd, MS, RN As we continue to move towards normalcy since the pandemic, which began in the United States in March 2020, I am often asked by …
View the new edition of our health equity newsletter featuring news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating healthcare disparities within your communities. This month, read about National …
February is American Heart Month Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers cardiovascular screening blood tests once every 5 years. To learn more, visit Medicare.gov/coverage/cardiovascular-disease-screenings. This year, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood …
COVID-19 has changed healthcare in many ways and has delayed chronic disease management for many patients. Patients needing follow-up appointments for their chronic disease were not able to schedule appointments …
Partnering Beyond COVID-19 Prevention and Management of Patients with Chronic Disease Read More »
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women of most racial and ethnic groups in the …
by Chris Symolon, Director, COVID-19 Vaccination Project, Foundation for Healthy Communities, New Hampshire Welcome to 2023, a new year, a new start, a reset! I have been reflecting on the …
A blueprint to help promote health equity. What is CLAS? Culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) are a way to improve the quality of services provided to all individuals, …
National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Read More »
by Erin Just, BScOT, MA, Quality Improvement Coordinator, Vermont Blueprint for Health In 2019, I welcomed identical twin boys. They arrived earlier than hoped, requiring medical intervention to improve their …
Raising Preemies During a Pandemic: Vaccines Protect The Most Vulnerable Read More »
By Sandra N. Colpitts MSN, RN, CIC, Manager, Infection Prevention and Control, South County Health, Wakefield, RI When I first became a nurse, I never imagined the adventures I would …
Walk Alongside the Community to Combat Vaccine Hesitancy Read More »
by Mary Ellen Casey, RN, Infection Preventionist, IPRO QIN-QIO As a college student I nearly drowned. A lifeguard saved my life. I will never forget being in the water, looking …
The Winter of our Discontent….or Maybe Not! Perspectives of an Infection Preventionist Read More »
View the new edition of our health equity newsletter featuring news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your communities. This month, read about …
Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 Start Time: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) is hosting a webinar in recognition …
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2022 Start Time: 2:00 PM-3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET); Please dial in at least 15 minutes prior to call start time. This call will be Conference …
Patients with unmet behavioral health and social needs are major contributors to high healthcare utilization and poor health outcomes. This small percentage of the population consume a disproportionate share of …
AHRQ released its annual disparities report: 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report. The report, which is mandated by Congress, provides a comprehensive overview of healthcare quality and healthcare disparities …
2022 AHRQ National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report Read More »
Rule includes expanded cancer screening coverage in support of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot and promotes innovation and coordinated care in Medicare Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services …
It is a well-established fact: smoking leads to disease, disability, and harm in nearly every organ system. It has long been shown to cause cancer, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, lung …
Now is the Time: A Compendium of Tools to Use for Great American Smokeout and Beyond Read More »
Date: Monday, November 14, 2022 Start Time: 1:00-2:40 pm ET Join the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including leaders from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, …
Meet Anne Myrka RPh, MAT, Senior Director of Drug Safety and Chronic Disease Management for IPRO. Anne has been in the healthcare field for 30 years. Her experience includes roles …
Date: Monday, October 24, 2022 Start Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET Join the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) for a webinar on the importance of annual vaccination to …
Influenza Vaccination to Help Protect All Adults Read More »
On September 23, 2022, the CDC updated its infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare personnel across all settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. A summary of recent changes includes: Updated …
November 8, 2022, 1 – 2 PM EST. Antibiotic Stewardship (AS) remains a national priority aimed at optimizing antibiotic use to effectively treat infections, protect patients from harms caused by …
Antibiotic Stewardship: Quick Wins for Improving Duration of Therapy Read More »
Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2022 Start Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET); Please dial-in at least 15 minutes before call start time. This call will be Conference …
CMS Physicians, Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Open Door Forum Read More »
Meet Melanie Ronda, MSN, RN, Assistant Director of Health Care Quality Improvement, Nursing Home Lead for NY, NJ, and Ohio, and the Infection Preventionist for IPRO. Melanie has been in …
Meet Laura Benzel from Qlarant, the Health Equity Lead for the IPRO QIN-QIO and an IPRO Health Equity Task Force member. Laura has ten years of experience working on equity-related …
This year, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) honors National Hispanic Heritage Month, we will be focusing on the nation’s 60.5 million …
October 5, 2022 1 – 2 PM EST Pharmacy Continuing Education offered by CT Pharmacist Association The 2019 CDC Threat Report lists Clostridioides difficile (C.difficile) as an urgent threat. There …
Clostridioides difficile: Sharing Best Practices and Outcomes Achieved Read More »
There are so many reasons to love dogs, but did you know these fascinating facts about dogs and their positive effects on healthcare? Nursing home residents with dementia who interacted …
View the new edition of our health equity newsletter featuring news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your communities.
“How do we know if we have disparities and how can we prevent disparities that exist in our patient outcomes?” If your organization is asking these questions, the collection …
The Importance of Collecting Patient Demographic Data Read More »
October is Health Literacy Month, when we take time to recognize the importance of creating equitable access to health care information for individuals, and the role health care organizations play …
Four Ways to Improve Health Literacy at Your Health Care Organization Read More »
CMS Memo | November 22, 2020 – Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized changes to outdated federal regulations that burdened health care providers with added administrative …
CMS Announces Historic Changes to Physician Self-Referral Regulations Read More »
In 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continued its overhaul of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program to continue the advancement of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) …
Learn More About 2020 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Requirements Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted two new informational presentations focused on the Physician Compare Preview Period that began on June 22 and will close on …
Physician Compare Preview Period: Informational Presentations Now Available Read More »
The current COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) does not waive any requirements related to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Consolidated Billing (CB). However, CMS added CPT codes 99441, 99442, and 99443, …
COVID-19: Coverage of Physician Telehealth Services Provided to SNF Residents Read More »
The 2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Period for QCDRs and Qualified Registries is Now Open As of today, July 1, 2020, the 2021 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Performance Period Self-Nomination period …
The 2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Period is Now Open Read More »
Visit the Quality Payment Program Resource Library to Access 2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Materials This message is notification that the 2021 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Self-Nomination Materials are now posted …
2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Materials Now Available Read More »
In response to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing flexibilities for clinicians participating in the Quality Payment Program (QPP) …
CMS Announces Relief for Clinicians Participating in the Quality Payment Program in 2020 Read More »
New office to continue agency’s work of reducing regulatory burden to allow providers to focus on patients instead of paperwork and reducing health care costs Today, the Centers for Medicare …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wants to remind eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals that the Annual Call for Measures for the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program is …
In the Calendar Year (CY) 2019 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (83 FR 59847), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established a policy that provides for the suppression …
Quality Payment Program: 2019 Performance Period Suppressed MIPS Quality Measures Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released “2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).”
