atom Alliance » atom Alliance Blogs http://atomalliance.org Wed, 19 Aug 2015 13:05:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 How to Create Composite Score Awareness Within Facilities http://atomalliance.org/how-to-create-composite-score-awareness-within-facilities/ http://atomalliance.org/how-to-create-composite-score-awareness-within-facilities/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2015 11:00:01 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14732 How to Create Composite Score Awareness Within Facilities Jennifer Brown, Corporate QAPI Coordinator from Harber-Laman Management, Tenn., recently shared best practices with the atom Alliance nursing home collaborative for creating awareness around composite score goals, sharing the purpose of composite score data reports and using composite score data to create improvement. As the lead for…

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Jennifer Brown, Corporate QAPI Coordinator from Harber-Laman Management, Tenn., recently shared best practices with the atom Alliance nursing home collaborative for creating awareness around composite score goals, sharing the purpose of composite score data reports and using composite score data to create improvement.

As the lead for the atom Alliance nursing home team, I encourage you to use these best practices as a guide for making improvements in your own facility.

Creating Awareness
To begin creating awareness about the composite score, Brown:

  • Educated facilities on the national composite score goal of 6.00 or less and what it meant
  • Reviewed facility-specific trend reports from atom Alliance
  • Distributed the Composite Score FAQs sheet to help understand what a composite measure was, where the data came from, how the composite score was calculated, the overall goals and more.

Determining Current Score
After looking at facility-level composite score quarterly reports from atom Alliance, the facilities:

  • Prioritized their missed opportunities and started their process improvement efforts
  • Pulled their own current data for the 13-long stay indicators from Casper QI/QM reports
  • Used instructions from the Composite Score FAQs to manually calculate their composite score

Using Composite Score Reports
Composite Score reports helped the facilities:

  • Monitor whether they were improving or missing opportunities in certain areas
  • Set priorities on starting quality improvement projects

Making Improvements
Using the Composite Score reports, the facilities:

  • Discovered there were issues of which they weren’t fully aware
  • Created performance improvement projects (PIPs) to improve in certain areas
  • Worked first on the higher numbers with the most missed opportunities
  • Determined the root cause of each issue
  • Used their QM task report (Casper Report Resident-Level Data Summary) to perform a detailed investigation of each resident that was flagged
  • Put together a PIP team to analyze data, set goals, determine meeting schedules and summarize RCA findings
  • Documented measures, including target date goal, benchmarks and how to capture measures

According to Brown, “It’s working well for us,” and now they are using a composite score calculator to help them continue to monitor their score, rather than determine it manually.

I invite you to learn more about how atom Alliance partners with nursing homes across five states to improve the quality of care for residents. Our quality improvement advisors are ready to work with you.

blog_bethhercher

Beth Hercher, CPHQ, Quality Improvement Advisor

Beth has served as a Quality Improvement Advisor to nursing homes in Tennessee for the past 6 years, serving as project team lead for the nursing home restraint and pressure ulcer collaboratives. She is an associate member of the local chapter of the Tennessee Health Care Associate, is certified to teach TeamSTEPPS training and is a certified Eden Associate.

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]]> http://atomalliance.org/how-to-create-composite-score-awareness-within-facilities/feed/ 0 Half a Century of Medicare and Medicaid http://atomalliance.org/half-a-century-of-medicare-and-medicaid/ http://atomalliance.org/half-a-century-of-medicare-and-medicaid/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:00:28 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14693 Before Medicare and Medicaid were created 50 years ago, our nation was a very different place for many. Seniors had to rely on strained savings or their families’ goodwill to get by. Those who had neither were left to a life of poverty and insecurity. Families, even children, were at the mercy of charity and…

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Half a Century of Medicare and Medicaid

Before Medicare and Medicaid were created 50 years ago, our nation was a very different place for many.

Seniors had to rely on strained savings or their families’ goodwill to get by. Those who had neither were left to a life of poverty and insecurity.

Families, even children, were at the mercy of charity and chance when it came to their health.

And those with disabilities struggled to get any care at all.

Medicare and Medicaid put an end to this injustice and transformed health care in our country. No other program has changed the lives of so many of our families, friends, and neighbors. No other program has given so many hope.

READ MORE: Half a Century of Medicare and Medicaid
By: Sylvia Mathews Burwell, HHS Secretary

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]]> http://atomalliance.org/half-a-century-of-medicare-and-medicaid/feed/ 0 Medicare and Medicaid: Keeping Us Healthy for 50 Years http://atomalliance.org/medicare-and-medicaid-keeping-us-healthy-for-50-years/ http://atomalliance.org/medicare-and-medicaid-keeping-us-healthy-for-50-years/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:00:02 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14206 It’s easy to forget that before 1966, roughly half of all seniors were uninsured, living in fear that the high cost of health care could propel not only them, but their families, into poverty. Few of us remember that not that long ago, far too many disabled people, families with children, pregnant women and low-income…

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Medicare and Medicaid: Keeping Us Healthy for 50 Years

It’s easy to forget that before 1966, roughly half of all seniors were uninsured, living in fear that the high cost of health care could propel not only them, but their families, into poverty. Few of us remember that not that long ago, far too many disabled people, families with children, pregnant women and low-income working Americans were unable to afford the medical care they needed to stay healthy and productive.

50 years ago, on July 30, 1965, the landscape of health care in America changed forever when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the landmark amendment to the Social Security Act, giving life to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Medicare and Medicaid save lives, help people live longer, and provide the peace of mind that comes with affordable health care that’s there when you need it. Chances are, you or someone in your family either has Medicare or Medicaid or you know someone who does. In fact, Medicare and Medicaid cover nearly 1 out of every 3 Americans—that’s well over 100 million people.

Marking the 50th anniversary of these lifesaving programs this summer gives us an important opportunity to recognize and remember the ways these programs transformed the delivery of health care in the United States. Medicare and Medicaid have greatly reduced the number of uninsured Americans and have become the standard bearers for quality and innovation in American health care.

Fifty years later, no other program has changed the lives of Americans more than Medicare and Medicaid.

CHANGING LIVES: Medicare and Medicaid provide Americans with access to the quality and affordable health care they need to live happy, healthy and productive lives. Today, about 55 million Americans depend on Medicare to cover 23 types of preventive services, including flu shots and diabetes screenings (some of these services are free, and for others you have a small copayment or pay the deductible.) Medicare also covers hospital stays, lab tests and critical supplies like wheelchairs, as well as prescription drugs. Medicaid provides comprehensive coverage to more than 70 million eligible children, pregnant women, low-income adults and people living with disabilities. It covers essential services like annual check-ups, care for new and expecting mothers, and dental care for kids from low-income families.

INCREASING ACCESS: Medicare and Medicaid provide more and more Americans with access to the quality and affordable health care they need and deserve. Though they started as basic health programs for people who had no other access to health coverage, Medicare and Medicaid have helped millions get access to care they wouldn’t get otherwise.

DRIVING INNOVATION TO SHAPE THE NEXT 50 YEARS: Over the course of 5 decades, Medicare and Medicaid have become the standard bearers for coverage, quality and innovation in American health care. Innovative and dedicated teams are combatting fraud and working to continually improve the quality of life and care delivered under these programs. Medicare and Medicaid are among the most efficient and well-managed health insurance programs in the world. They will continue to transform to create a health care system that delivers better care, spends health care dollars more wisely and results in healthier people.

President Johnson would be heartened to know that the hard-fought efforts to improve our health care system have not only succeeded, but that America is on track to give even better access, higher quality care and improved health for the next 50 years and beyond.

How has Medicare or Medicaid (or both programs) helped your life or the life of someone you care about? Whether you’ve just enrolled or have been covered for decades, we’d love to hear from you. You can share your Medicare or Medicaid story through our Medicare.gov website, or connect with us on Twitter or our just-launched Facebook page.

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]]> http://atomalliance.org/medicare-and-medicaid-keeping-us-healthy-for-50-years/feed/ 0 Hypertension Control Change Package Now Available for Clinicians http://atomalliance.org/hypertension-control-change-package-now-available-for-clinicians/ http://atomalliance.org/hypertension-control-change-package-now-available-for-clinicians/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2015 11:00:33 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14737 The Hypertension Control Change Package (HCCP) for Clinicians presents a listing of process improvements that ambulatory clinical settings can implement as they seek optimal hypertension (HTN) control. It is composed of change concepts, change ideas, evidence- or practice- based tools and resources. While the science behind cardiovascular risk reduction is continually evolving, there is strong…

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Hypertension Control Change Package Now Available for Clinicians

The Hypertension Control Change Package (HCCP) for Clinicians presents a listing of process improvements that ambulatory clinical settings can implement as they seek optimal hypertension (HTN) control. It is composed of change concepts, change ideas, evidence- or practice- based tools and resources.

While the science behind cardiovascular risk reduction is continually evolving, there is strong evidence that a systematic approach to HTN management can significantly improve HTN-related care processes and outcomes. The purpose of the HCCP is to help healthcare practices put systems in place to care for patients with HTN more efficiently and effectively. The HCCP is broken down into three main focus areas:

  • Key Foundations
  • Population Health Management
  • Individual Patient Supports

Change concepts are general notions that are useful in the development of more specific ideas for changes that lead to improvement. Change ideas are actionable, specific ideas for changing a process. Change ideas can be rapidly tested on a small scale to determine whether they result in improvements in the local environment. With each change idea the HCCP lists evidence- or practice-based tools and resources that can be adapted or adopted in a healthcare setting to improve HTN control

The HCCP is meant to serve as a menu of options from which practices can select specific interventions to improve HTN control. Don’t attempt to implement all of the interventions at once. It’s not likely that all interventions will be applicable to your clinical setting.

atom Alliance strives to help providers improve cardiac health and reduce disparities among their patients. See more here: http://atomalliance.org/initiatives/improving-cardiac-health-reducing-disparities/

Hypertension Control Change Package for Clinicians
Hypertension Control Change Package for Clinicians

Preview: Hypertension Control Change Package for Clinicians
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]]> http://atomalliance.org/hypertension-control-change-package-now-available-for-clinicians/feed/ 0 What You Can Do to Raise Awareness About Mental Health http://atomalliance.org/what-you-can-do-to-raise-awareness-about-mental-health/ http://atomalliance.org/what-you-can-do-to-raise-awareness-about-mental-health/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2015 11:00:39 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14675 Creating awareness and talking about mental health issues helps diminish the stigma surrounding them. According the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (NAMI), before you choose an event for raising awareness, ask yourself these questions: What do you hope to achieve with your event? What type of event do you want to have—formal, informal, arts related,…

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What You Can Do to Raise Awareness About Mental Health

Creating awareness and talking about mental health issues helps diminish the stigma surrounding them.

According the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (NAMI), before you choose an event for raising awareness, ask yourself these questions:

  1. What do you hope to achieve with your event?
  2. What type of event do you want to have—formal, informal, arts related, family oriented?
  3. Who would be your target audience?
  4. How much would the event cost and do you have funding?
  5. How much time do you have to plan the event?
  6. Who can help you plan the event?
  7. Are there any organizations you can partner with?
  8. When do you want to hold the event and are there any scheduling conflicts?

Learn. Share. Participate.

  • Know the numbers. View NAMI’s Mental Health By the Numbers infographic.
  • Read and share personal stories. Read and watch these stories of hope, frustration and perseverance on You Are Not Alone and OK2Talk.
  • Join an online discussion. Share knowledge, ask questions and interact with people who have similar experiences in one of NAMI’s discussion groups.
  • Go Green. Green is the color used to show your support for mental wellness. During May, wear a green ribbon or shirt. Tag your “green” Facebook photos using #mentalhealthmonth. During July tag your photos using #minoritymentalhealth.
  • Join a NAMIWalk: Every year, people across the nation will join NAMI and walk together to raise money and awareness. You can go here to find a NAMIWalk near you.

Join atom Alliance

Contracted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), atom Alliance is working actively with primary care providers and inpatient psychiatric facilities to improve behavioral health care for adults. Learn more today.

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]]> http://atomalliance.org/what-you-can-do-to-raise-awareness-about-mental-health/feed/ 0 National Health Center Week Is August 9-15 http://atomalliance.org/national-health-center-week-is-august-9-15/ http://atomalliance.org/national-health-center-week-is-august-9-15/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2015 11:00:09 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14437 National Health Center Week has been celebrated for more than 30 years to recognize the services and contributions of Community, Migrant, Homeless and Public Housing Health Centers. America’s Health Centers are unique for their long success in providing access to affordable, high-quality, cost-effective healthcare to medically vulnerable and underserved people throughout the United States. As…

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National Health Center Week Is August 9-15

National Health Center Week has been celebrated for more than 30 years to recognize the services and contributions of Community, Migrant, Homeless and Public Housing Health Centers. America’s Health Centers are unique for their long success in providing access to affordable, high-quality, cost-effective healthcare to medically vulnerable and underserved people throughout the United States.

As local community-owned and operated businesses, Health Centers serve over 23 million Americans through more than 9,200 delivery sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories.

One in every fifteen people living in the United States
depends on Health Center services.

America’s Health Centers and atom Alliance both serve Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and providers. atom Alliance works closely with primary care providers like those in Health Centers to ignite powerful and sustainable change in healthcare quality through better health, better care and lower costs.

In Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, atom Alliance operates a strategic plan, with programs in place to convene, teach and inform healthcare providers, engage and empower patients, and inspire, share knowledge and spread best practices with communities across the entire healthcare continuum.

Examples include

  • conducting diabetes management classes for patients,
  • increasing vaccinations among beneficiaries,
  • helping providers screen for behavioral health issues and
  • educating patients on heart health.

National Health Center Week sheds light on the health needs in our communities and our shared stake in community health. Celebrate the week by attending a Health Center Week event in your community!

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]]> http://atomalliance.org/national-health-center-week-is-august-9-15/feed/ 0 The First Steps in Lowering Your Facility’s Composite Score http://atomalliance.org/the-first-steps-in-lowering-your-facilitys-composite-score/ http://atomalliance.org/the-first-steps-in-lowering-your-facilitys-composite-score/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2015 11:00:03 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14328 When it comes to composite scores, the lower the better. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set a national goal for nursing homes to achieve a composite score of 6.00 or less. The composite measure is comprised of 13 National Quality Forum (NQF)-endorsed, publically reported, long-stay quality measures that represent larger systems…

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The First Steps in Lowering Your Facility’s Composite Score

When it comes to composite scores, the lower the better. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set a national goal for nursing homes to achieve a composite score of 6.00 or less.

The composite measure is comprised of 13 National Quality Forum (NQF)-endorsed, publically reported, long-stay quality measures that represent larger systems within the long-term care setting. The quickest way to lower your facility’s composite score is to focus initial quality improvement efforts on areas with higher numbers of missed opportunities for any of those quality measures.

Two of those 13 that typically result in a high number of missed opportunities include:

  • Percent of residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
  • Percent of residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine

If your facility hasn’t been adequately assessing and giving these two vaccines, then you likely have a high number of missed opportunities.

Also, focusing on one area of improvement can result in changes in another. For example, eliminating the use of off-labeled antipsychotic medications, another quality measure, can also

  • reduce the number of falls
  • improve resident mobility, alertness, and appetite and
  • reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

Learn more about how atom Alliance is working with nursing homes across five states to improve their composite score and how your facility can get involved.

Scott Gibson

Scott Gibson, BS

Scott Gibson is the Quality Improvement Advisor for the nursing home team at Qsource, the Quality Improvement Organization for Kentucky. Previously, Mr. Gibson worked with Health Care Excel for nine years in several similar positions. Aside from his work in quality improvement, Mr. Gibson has several years experience in journalism, public relations and adult education.

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]]> http://atomalliance.org/the-first-steps-in-lowering-your-facilitys-composite-score/feed/ 0 Please Consider Hosting a Diabetes Education Class http://atomalliance.org/please-consider-hosting-a-diabetes-education-class/ http://atomalliance.org/please-consider-hosting-a-diabetes-education-class/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:00:07 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14371 Does your organization serve rural and/or African-American seniors who are living with diabetes? Looking for a no-cost way to better serve them? Consider hosting and promoting free diabetes self-management education (DSME) classes at your location. atom Alliance has launched the Everyone with Diabetes Counts (EDC) initiative in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee and is…

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Please Consider Hosting a Diabetes Education Class

Does your organization serve rural and/or African-American seniors who are living with diabetes? Looking for a no-cost way to better serve them? Consider hosting and promoting free diabetes self-management education (DSME) classes at your location.

atom Alliance has launched the Everyone with Diabetes Counts (EDC) initiative in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee and is actively seeking partners to host classes. Senior centers, senior housing complexes, libraries, hospitals and faith communities have all volunteered space, but atom Alliance needs more sites to reach more individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Seniors will learn more about controlling, preventing or delaying diabetes. DSME empowers people with diabetes to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the quality of their lives. Our instructors will use simple medical terms, props and pictures in ways that make learning fun. Students enjoy the classes and being with others who are facing similar challenges and emotions.

You provide the space and publicize the classes to your clients/members and the surrounding community; atom Alliance does the rest. Churches and senior centers are ideal locations; however, atom Alliance staff are open to teaching at a variety of locations.

For more information and to learn who to contact in your area, download this fact sheet
http://atomalliance.org/download/edc-participating-partners/

Anthony Culver, MS

Anthony Culver has more than 30 years of experience in not-for-profit communications and management – nearly half of that with Medicare’s quality improvement organization program. He is managing his diabetes, enjoys travel & films and is an occasional pulpit guest at his church.

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]]> http://atomalliance.org/please-consider-hosting-a-diabetes-education-class/feed/ 0 Improve Resident Care Using the National Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative (NNHQCC) Composite Measure http://atomalliance.org/improve-resident-care-using-the-national-nursing-home-quality-care-collaborative-nnhqcc-composite-measure/ http://atomalliance.org/improve-resident-care-using-the-national-nursing-home-quality-care-collaborative-nnhqcc-composite-measure/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:00:10 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14326 The NNHQCC composite measure is a gauge to help monitor nursing home progress. Nursing homes participating in the NNHQCC focus on processes that improve their systems and measure individual tests of change. Specifically, they look at their Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) improvement cycle results, clinical outcomes measures and composite scores. The composite measure is not intended to…

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Improve Resident Care Using the National Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative (NNHQCC) Composite Measure

The NNHQCC composite measure is a gauge to help monitor nursing home progress. Nursing homes participating in the NNHQCC focus on processes that improve their systems and measure individual tests of change. Specifically, they look at their Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) improvement cycle results, clinical outcomes measures and composite scores.

The composite measure is not intended to replace or supersede existing local or federal initiatives, including the 5-star rating system, but is another way to look at quality from a system’s perspective.

The composite measure is comprised of 13 National Quality Forum (NQF)-endorsed, publically reported, long-stay quality measures that represent larger systems within the long-term care setting.

13 Long-Stay Quality Measures

  1. Percent of residents with one or more falls with major injury
  2. Percent of residents with a urinary tract infection
  3. Percent of residents who self-report moderate to severe pain
  4. Percent of residents with a pressure ulcer
  5. Percent of residents with loss of bowel or bladder control
  6. Percent of residents with catheter inserted or left in bladder
  7. Percent of residents physically restrained
  8. Percent of residents whose need for help with Activities of Daily Living has increased
  9. Percent of residents who lose too much weight
  10. Percent of residents who have depressive symptoms
  11. Percent of residents who received antipsychotic medications
  12. Percent of residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
  13. Percent of residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine

Learn more about how atom Alliance is working with nursing homes across five states to improve their composite score and how your facility can get involved.

Scott Gibson

Scott Gibson, BS

Scott Gibson is the Quality Improvement Advisor for the nursing home team at Qsource, the Quality Improvement Organization for Kentucky. Previously, Mr. Gibson worked with Health Care Excel for nine years in several similar positions. Aside from his work in quality improvement, Mr. Gibson has several years experience in journalism, public relations and adult education.

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]]> http://atomalliance.org/improve-resident-care-using-the-national-nursing-home-quality-care-collaborative-nnhqcc-composite-measure/feed/ 0 New Medicaid Initiative Improves Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment http://atomalliance.org/new-medicaid-initiative-improves-access-to-substance-use-disorder-treatment/ http://atomalliance.org/new-medicaid-initiative-improves-access-to-substance-use-disorder-treatment/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:26:32 +0000 http://atomalliance.org/?p=14543 The Medicaid program plays an important role in providing access to treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). Nearly 21 million Americans suffer from SUD, many of whom are low-income or uninsured. It is estimated that 12 percent of all Medicaid beneficiaries ages 18-64 and 15 percent of uninsured individuals who could be…

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New Medicaid Initiative Improves Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment

The Medicaid program plays an important role in providing access to treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). Nearly 21 million Americans suffer from SUD, many of whom are low-income or uninsured. It is estimated that 12 percent of all Medicaid beneficiaries ages 18-64 and 15 percent of uninsured individuals who could be eligible for Medicaid coverage have SUD. Medicaid pays one out of every five dollars for SUD treatment.

As states identify new ways to promote stronger systems of care that improve access to affordable quality health care, strengthening approaches to SUD services is a major area of focus. Many states are seeking to reform SUD treatment services in a way that meets the needs of individuals as well as the capacity for treatment in their states.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is working with states to develop system reforms that improve care, enhance treatment, and offer recovery supports for individuals with SUD. For the past year, CMS has worked with states through our new Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program to provide program support for states to pursue innovations that reduce costs and improve health outcomes for beneficiaries with SUD. We have also been in active dialogue with states on ways to combat the opioid and heroin epidemic that is ravaging many rural and urban communities alike.

Building upon this effort, CMS is now launching a new demonstration initiative to support comprehensive, evidence based service delivery approaches to SUD treatment. This initiative is available to states seeking to undertake significant improvements in the delivery of care to beneficiaries with SUD, such as better identifying individuals with SUD, increasing treatment provider capacity, using evidence-based practice standards, and measuring progress with quality metrics.

The initiative provides greater flexibility for states that undertake significant reforms to provide coverage for short-term inpatient and residential SUD services – services generally not covered by Medicaid. These improvements will help states develop effective care coordination models that better connect those with SUD to providers, provide more integrated health care services to beneficiaries with SUD, and effectively integrate SUD treatment with community-based care.

We recognize the importance of effective SUD treatment and remain committed to working with states and stakeholders to improve SUD services for millions of individuals.

For more information on the demonstration initiative, visit http://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/SMD15003.pdf.

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