Improving Hypertension _ Diabetes Control and Prevention
bp banner
special shout-out: congrats to 2018 MILLION HEARTSĀ® HYPERTENSION CONTROL CHAMPIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA 

applause icon Million HeartsĀ® has recognized 18 Hypertension Control Champions for 2018. These Champions helped at least 80% of their patients achieve blood pressure control. Out of the 18 health care practices and community health centers that were recognized, three were from Pennsylvania:
  • Fairview Family Medicine, Fairview, PA
  • Keystone Rural Health Consortia, Inc., Emporium, PA
  • Millcreek Medical Arts, Erie, PA
Participating health care professionals, practices, and systems used innovations in health information technology and electronic health records, patient communication, and health care team approaches to achieve blood pressure control for their patients. These Champions represented a range of small and large, urban and rural, and private, federal, and tribal health practices and systems.

Congratulations to our Pennsylvania champions! Together, the 2018 Champions cared for more than 53,000 adults. View the full list of winners here .
prevent diabetes stat: jOIN THE INITIATIVE TO PREVENT TYPE 2 DIABETES IN THE U.S. 

group The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Medical Association (AMA) are sounding an alarm about prediabetes through a national effort called Prevent Diabetes STAT. 
This initiative requires everyone from physicians, to employers, to patients, to community organizations, to prevent Type 2 diabetes in the United States.

In addition to focusing on the person with prediabetes or diabetes, engagement needs to occur in the systems and communities where people live, work and play. We can all act - today. For tips and tools to support this effort, visit the Prevent Diabetes STAT website.
decision pathway: guide outlines protocols for identifying patients at risk for prediabetes and diabetes   

patient with doc T he   U.S. Preventive Services Task Force  recommends screening for abnormal blood glucose as part of cardiovascular risk assessment in adults aged 40 to 70 years who are overweight or obese. Clinicians should offer or refer patients with abnormal blood glucose to intensive behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthful diet and physical activity.

Regardless of screening method, identifying individuals before the transition to type 2 diabetes allows action, such as providing information and resources for prevention or performing more frequent retesting (e.g., every 1 to 3 years ). The Decision Pathway for Diabetes and Prediabetes offers an at-a-gland guide for the interpretation of lab results as well as providing information on appropriate treatment and referral recommendations.

Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPP) and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) are referral options available in Pennsylvania to help provide patients with the education and support they need to take control of their health and well-being. If you have questions or are  looking for resources  regarding diabetes self-management and the referral process, please contact your local Quality Insights Practice Transformation Specialist today .
dpp is now a covered benefit: HIGHMARK NOW COVERS DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES   

doc icon Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield now covers a new DPP as a preventive benefit for group customers. The structured lifestyle and health behavior program, which is recognized by the CDC and endorsed by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), can help prevent Type 2 diabetes in employees who are identified as pre-diabetic.

The new diabetes prevention benefit will consist of a 12-month lifestyle behavior change program. Two program options are available; in-person through a local YMCA (where available), or online/mobile through Retroft, a leading provider of weight-management and disease-prevention programs. Read the full  press release  for more details.
no-cost assistance: do you  Need Help with QPP & MIPS?

Quality Insights QPP Support Center logo The Quality Insights Quality Payment Program Support Center is available to help Merit-based Incentive Payment System ( MIPS) eligible clinicians  (ECs) in small, underserved and rural practices successfully prepare for and participate in the Quality Payment Program (QPP). To receive QPP-SURS services from Quality Insights, your practice must:
  • Have 15 or fewer MIPS ECs
  • Be located in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia
Want more information? Visit the Quality Insights QPP Support Center website. You can also contact the Quality Insights QPP Support Center team via email or by calling  1.877.497.5065

facebook icon Get Social: We also encourage you to LIKE the Quality Insights QPP Support Center Facebook page to gain direct access to the latest QPP announcements, resources, educational events, and more!
 
upcoming webinar:  Leveraging National Diabetes Prevention Programming for Your Health Center

e-learning Thursday, November 29, 2018
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This webinar will describe the National Diabetes Prevention Program and discuss ways in which community health centers (CHCs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) can take advantage of local, state, regional, and national resources to improve diabetes screening and prevention practices to special and underserved populations throughout the Continental U.S., Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands.
save the date:  take part in an upcoming hypertension and diabetes awareness & prevention event

Pixabay calendarBelow is a list of just some of the hypertension and diabetes related events coming up later this month in towns and cities across Pennsylvania.
Do you know about a local diabetes prevention or hypertension events taking place near you? Email the details to Amy Porter if you'd like to have it featured in our upcoming newsletters.
contact information

For more details about the Improving Hypertension and Diabetes Care & Prevention project, please contact Rhonda Dodson.
Quality Insights logo
Funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the State Public Health Actions to Prevent and Control 
Diabetes,  Heart Disease, Obesity and Associated Risk Factors and Promote School Health federal grant from the Centers for 
Disease Control  and Prevention. Publication number: PADOH-HD-111618