March 2018
The Quarterly Newsletter of the HHQI Underserved Populations (UP) Network

 

  UP NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS
  
Quarterly UP Network Webinar | April 19, 2018 | 2-3pm ET
Serving Racial & Ethnic Minority Populations 

This educational webinar presented by the Home Health Quality Improvement National Campaign (HHQI) featuring the Office of Minority Health will provide insight for agencies to better address the disparities. Learn more about the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards in Health and Health Care to advance health equity, improve quality and help eliminate health care disparities by establishing a blueprint for health and health care organizations. The presenters will also share why accurate data collection and reporting is important to assist with improvement strategies. Register now .

This activity has been submitted to Alabama State Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours. Alabama State Nurses Association is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Featured Expert:
Carol Jimenez, JD
Deputy Director, Office of Minority Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Now Available: January 2018 UP Network Webinar Recording

The Actions to Improve Health Literacy UP Webinar recording is available. The presentation explores key health literacy barriers and ideas to improve patient and caregiver communication and education. The free 1.5 hours of nursing credits are still available with the recording in HHQI University.
Save the Dates: 2018 UP Network Webinars

April 19
July 19
October 18

All webinars will be held from 2-3pm ET.  As details are available, they will be published on the UP page on the HHQI website and emailed directly to those who are subscribed to our  UPDate and Educational & Networking Opportunities mailing lists . 

 

  UP NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
  
HHQI's Underserved Population (UP) Network kicked off five years ago. The goal was to create a Learning in Action Network to share concerns, ideas, education and resources to support the work at the agency level for underserved populations. Currently there are more than 4,000 members of the UP Network who receive information about this topic.  HHQI has created an Underserved Populations Best Practice Intervention Package (BPIP) to provide foundational information on significant topics that are affecting healthcare quality and costs across all settings, including home health. Additionally, there are almost 40 different UP webinars & teleconferences that provide information on the UP issues HHAs address daily.   
 
The four focused areas for the UP Network include:
  • Underserved Areas 
  • Dual-Eligible
  • Health Disparities
  • Small Home Health Agencies (HHA) 
Small HHAs have many barriers and issues related to providing quality care related to overwhelming organizational concerns. Management's time is consumed with day-to-day operations including regulations, requirements, authorizations, staffing, etc.
 
The new Conditions of Participation (CoP) requirements can be overwhelming for small agencies. Each organization shares the responsibilities of  Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI) among a few leaders. Most small agencies embraces QI activities, but have limitations of time, resources, energy, etc., and must prioritize projects. Small HHAs have great opportunities to spread change quickly in part to frequent communication and access to staff. HHQI tries to provide information that is meaningful for agencies of all sizes. 

  

  FREE TOOLS & RESOURCES

  
This month's UPDate will focus on some key resources and ideas to assist smaller HHAs but that can actually benefit agencies of all sizes.

 

Leadership Support

  • Networking with other HHAs, similar in size, allows the opportunity to share lessons learned and solutions for common problems. This can occur with state or national associations or networking opportunities. 
  • HHQI's quarterly LiveChat allows participants to network online and share experiences, offer insight, and suggest resources to help overcome challenges each may be facing. When you participate in LiveChat, you will be able to type in real time and interact with others who share your commitment to home health quality improvement. 
  • It is important for leadership to have time to brainstorm and develop strategic plans without day-to-day operational interruptions.
    • Consider having an off-site meeting  
    • Provide short agenda or topic/issue that will be discussed about a week prior and ask leaders to come prepared with ideas to jumpstart the meeting 
  • Provide recognition and recognition of your leadership team 
  • Share successes 
  • Use occasional inspirational videos on teamwork - here are a few to get started: 
  • Embrace humor and participate in fun activities when possible 

Quality Improvement 

Staff Education  

HHQI can also assist agencies to understand data reports, find evidence-based strategies to assist with improving outcomes, processes, reducing hospitalizations, disease management, and more. HHQI's Resource Library has over 1,000 high quality tools and resources. Watch this 6-minute tutorial to learn how to easily get around the library. 
 
Please contact us at HHQI@qualityinsights.org  if you need any assistance. 
For more information or to suggest future UP topics or speakers,  please contact us at HHQI@qualityinsights.org. Visit our website to  learn more about  HHQI .

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, the Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality 

Improvement Organization supporting the Home Health Quality Improvement National Campaign, 

under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services. The views presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 

Publication number 11SOW-WV-HH-ADL-032218