September 2017
Five Best Practices for Preventing and Controlling Diabetic Neuropathy
"It feels like I'm barefooted walking on hot cement, and the sun is beating down on it," said Kathy Carrell, who participated in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS)  Everyone with Diabetes Counts  program run by  atom Alliance , the Quality Innovation Network- Quality Improvement Organization  (QIN-QIO) serving Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
 
Carrell has pre-diabetes, which she has managed with metformin, diet and activity for 30 years. At first, her foot pain kept her in constant tears, and at one point she didn't go anywhere for two weeks because it hurt to walk. She went to the emergency room where the doctor gave her a shot, but soon the pain became unbearable again.
Featured Resource
Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) De-prescribing Algorithm

This tool was developed by atom's medication safety workgroup to  decrease unnecessary medication use.

NEW Quality Payment Program Online Courses
Addressing Barriers for Sickle Cell Patients
Adults Need Vaccines Too
Quality Payment Program help is here. 

The CENTERS for MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS) is now offering FREE accredited online courses for healthcare providers with continuing medical education credits.

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease that researchers estimate affects between 90,000 and 100,000 Americans.

View some of the educational resources we've developed to address pain management barriers for patients with SCD.
Vaccination is important, because it not only protects the person receiving the vaccine, but also helps prevent the spread of disease, especially to those that are most vulnerable to serious complications such as infants, young children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems.

Featured On-Demand Learning
Immunization: Myths, Reasons and Guidelines for Adult Immunizations

Amanda Ryan, PharmD, BCPG, addresses the question of why flu vaccinations are important, specifically for healthcare professionals and debunks several myths regarding the flu, replacing those myths with facts. 



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.

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Featured Resource
Lowering the Burden of Adult Disease, One Shot at a Time

It's time to shift the dialogue of adult immunizations from a choice to a necessity. Stop asking patients at their appointments, "Do you want your flu shot today?" Instead tell them, "I urge you to get your flu shot today."  

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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.A1.04.014