Tuesday, August 30, 2016
In Practice 
Tips, Tools & Education for Improving Outpatient Care
VHQC Attends Baltimore Health Fair
 
VHQC's Venisha Lambert recently attended a health fair in Baltimore, MD. VHQC frequently works with community partners and healthcare providers to host free diabetes self-management workshops. Contact us at 804-289-5320 to learn more about this initiative and to find out how you can offer classes in your community.
Healthcare News:
U.S. Surgeon General Urges Health Leaders to Address Prescription Opioid Crisis
Multiple news outlets reported this week that U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has sent a personal letter to more than 2.3 million healthcare practitioners and public health leaders seeking help to address the prescription opioid crisis. Visit the Turn The Tide website, which contains his letter and information on how to join the movement.
Survey Shows Tobacco Use Down but Emerging Tobacco Product Use Increasing
A new CDC report shows that 21.3% of U.S. adults used a tobacco product every day or some days, according to data from the 2013-2014 National Adult Tobacco Survey. Cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product during 2013-2014, though use has been declining; however, the use of emerging tobacco products has increased recently. The report points to the continued need for evidence- and population-based interventions to reduce tobacco use and related death and disease.

Data Show Mismatched 2014-2015 Flu Vaccine More Effective Than First Reported
Recent data collected from Michigan hospitals suggest the antigenically mismatched 2014-2015 influenza vaccine performed better than was previously reported, according to Healio. "(Influenza virus drift) was a particular problem in the 2014-2015 season when antigenically drifted influenza A(H3N2) viruses circulated widely resulting in high influenza illness rates and need for medical attention, including hospitalization," according to Joshua G. Petrie, MPH, researcher at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and colleagues. The data was published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. Click here to read more.
Patient Resources
Virginia Department of Health Releases Videos on Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure
The Virginia Department of Health has prepared two instructional videos to encourage Virginians to self-monitor their blood pressure and to teach them how to do it correctly. Untreated hypertension can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, and premature death. Click here to read about the research that led to the videos. Click the images below to view the videos.
 
 
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Mark Your Calendar
VHQC Webinar: Using Patient Demographic Data to Address Disparities 

Wednesday, September 21 from noon to 1 p.m. ET 

Despite the many advances in healthcare, racial and ethnic minorities continue to experience health disparities, resulting in higher costs, lower quality of care and poor health outcomes. By gathering patient demographic data on race, ethnicity and language, you can identify disparities and trends among the patients you serve. This session will focus on collecting data to address disparities.

Register now to receive access information. 
VHQC Resources
VHQC Recorded Webinar: Disparities in Hypertension
 
Earlier this month, VHQC hosted a webinar on addressing racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension. Click here to access the webinar. You will be asked to fill out registration information before viewing the webinar.

Model for Improvement Webinars Available

Our two-part summer webinar series discusses the Model for Improvement and implementing small tests of change. VHQC's Rachel Hill shared best practices that can be quickly implemented in your practice.

 

Access Part 1 here.

Access Part 2 here.

 

Note that you will be asked to fill out registration information before viewing the webinar. 

Non-VHQC Events
Expanding Diabetes Education in Virginia

Friday, October 14 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. - Includes dinner and program.
 
Location: The Place at Innsbrook, 4036-C Cox Rd., Glen Allen, VA
 
Learn about Population Health Management and Standardized Care in Type 2 Diabetes. Click here for more information and to register. Please note: You will need to sign in or create an account with the American Association of Diabetes Educators to access this information.

Freedom From Smoking Facilitator Training
Thursday, October 20, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 
Location: Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association - Jefferson Room, 4200 Innslake Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23060

Each facilitator is trained to host group clinics, which include eight sessions and feature a step-by-step plan for quitting smoking.

Click here to register.

This material was prepared by VHQC, the Medicare Quality Innovation Network Quality Improvement Organization for Maryland and Virginia, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.  VHQC/11SOW/8/30/2016/2566