Alabama | Indiana | Kentucky | Mississippi | Tennessee                                          December 2017
It's Not Too Late to Vaccinate
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that last season, flu vaccine prevented 5.1 million cases of flu, 2.5 million flu-related medical visits and 71,000 flu-associated hospitalizations.

However, only about half of the people in the United States reported getting a flu vaccine last season; leaving millions of people unprotected. If just 5 percent more of the population had gotten vaccinated last season, an additional 504,000 illnesses, 233,000 doctor's visits and 6,000 hospitalizations would have been prevented.

AJIC Study: Working with Flu-Like Illness
Clean Hands Count for National Hand Washing Awareness Week
New Blood Pressure Guidelines from American Heart Association
About 40 percent of healthcare personnel had a flu-like illness and still went to work during the 2014-15 flu season. 
This article from the American Journal of Infection Control highlights the importance of workplace policies as well as personal responsibility to protect patients and coworkers from illness. 
As the winter season approaches, patient visits increase. December 4-10, 2017 is National Hand Washing Awareness week. 

Here are some resources and tools you can use in your facility to encourage proper hand hygiene. 
High blood pressure accounts for the second largest number of preventable heart disease and stroke deaths, second only to smoking. 

New guidelines for high blood pressure in adults have been released for healthcare providers. 
Featured On-Demand Learning
The Basics: COPD

Communication between providers and patients is important for managing a chronic disease, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Patients who are informed and part of the decision making process are more likely to manage their disease.



Featured Resource
Flu Alert Fact Sheet for Adults 65+

Stay healthy this flu season! Download this fact sheet and share it with your patients and staff.

Managing Stress During the Holidays
Caregivers and healthcare providers may experience burnout and fatigue during the holiday season. Below are some resources that can help lighten your load and make your holidays brighter.
Q uality Payment Program 
Assistance Available
Funded by CMS at no cost to your practice
Email us at  [email protected]  and we will connect you to the right person, tools and technical assistance you need.

CMS Finalizes Policies that Reduce Provider Burden
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule for the 2018 Physician Fee Schedule and final rule with comment period for the Quality Payment Program (QPP).  

Like and follow atom Alliance to stay connected.

SM_Facebook SM_Twitter SM_Linkedin SM_Pinterest

To view the archive or subscribe to these newsletters, go here.
Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana
3340 Players Club Pkwy
Suite 300
Memphis, TN 38125
901-682-0381
Alabama
2 Perimeter Park South
Suite 200 West
Birmingham, AL 35243
205-970-1600
Mississippi
385B Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 504
Ridgeland, MS 39157
601-957-1575
This material was prepared by atom Alliance, the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO), coordinated by Qsource for Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi and Alabama under a contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Content does not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 17.A1.04.016