For athletes, being an MVP or most valuable player is the ultimate personal achievement. But in health care an MVP or Multi-visit Patient drains resources, money and staff time. Read more.
CMS Care Compare Gives Patients a New Tool for Making Health Care Decisions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched Care Compare, a streamlined redesign of eight existing CMS health care compare tools available on Medicare.gov. Care Compare allows patients and caregivers to make decisions about health care based on cost, quality of care, volume of services, and other data. The site provides a one-stop shop with information about doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care services instead of searching through multiple tools. Read more.
Give Vaccines a Shot: Addressing Influenza Immunizations During COVID-19
The intersection of the 2020-2021 flu season with the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to significantly impact an already strained health care system. For health care providers like Family Medical Care of Smithfield, educating patients and families about the importance of immunizations and getting patients to leave their homes to get their flu shot will be a challenge this year. But, a practice representative said, “With the absence of a vaccine for COVID-19, it is imperative we do everything possible to keep flu numbers to a minimum.”
To help health care providers prepare for conversations with their patients about the importance of this year’s flu vaccine, the Health Quality Innovation Network is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, September 30 at 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT. Our messaging about myths and truths related to flu vaccinations will equip providers to speak with anti-vaccine or vaccine-hesitant patients and/or parents. We will also provide an overview of 2020-2021 flu season recommendations announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and share a strategic framework for improving vaccination rates and continuous quality improvement. Register now.
PFAC Spotlight: Ellen Netting Advocates for Improved Patient-Provider Communication
As a former social worker and educator, Ellen Netting is a vital contributor to the Health Quality Innovation Network’s (HQIN) PFAC. Her professional experience in gerontology helps her support patients to advocate for themselves and their families. Learn more about Ellen.
Upcoming Events
Supporting Residents’ Mental Health During COVID-19
September 22 | October 13 | October 27
2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. CT Register Now
Join the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) and Deer Oaks, a long-term care psychology and psychiatry service, for a three-part webinar series intended to help you support your residents’ mental health during COVID-19. Each one-hour session will highlight strategies you can implement to help your residents cope with social isolation and loneliness, grief and loss, and symptoms of depression, anxiety and cognitive decline.
Building Provider Capacity to Address Diabetes Prevention in High-Risk Populations
This session is sponsored by the American College of Preventive Medicine, the Black Women’s Health Imperative, and the American Medical Association and will focus on using novel approaches to screen, test, refer and retain high-risk populations in the National DPP Lifestyle Change Program. There is no cost to participate.
Are You Prepared for an ACP Conversation with Your Patients?
Advance care planning (ACP) ensures your patients' health care and end-of-life wishes are known to you and their other health care providers, their caregivers and loved ones before a serious illness or health crisis. Are you ready for a conversation with your patients? Join the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) and the Center for Practical Bioethics to learn more about normalizing and engaging in the ACP process and how to complete ACP documents like a living will. You will also learn about the role of the patient and those appointed to act on the patient's behalf, as well as how the ACP process is reflected in Kansas and Missouri law. You will have an opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the session.
Health Quality Innovation Network
9830 Mayland Drive, Suite D, Richmond, VA 23233
As a former social worker and educator, Ellen Netting is a vital contributor to the Health Quality Innovation Network’s (HQIN) PFAC. Her professional experience in gerontology helps her support patients to advocate for themselves and their families. 
