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December 14, 2023
In this issue
Updated APP Pro navigation
Message from your PHO President
Supporting Your Practice: CI updates, masking and visitation guidance, and more
Epic Updates
Additional Things to Know
CME
Note: When accessing APP Pro links below, you may need to sign in again if you are not taken directly to the referenced page or information.
We heard you – updated APP Pro navigation
With feedback from your peers, we’ve updated the APP Pro navigation to make it easier to find what you need while putting the most useful and actionable information at your fingertips. We want to save you time on administrative tasks and simplify the experience so you can focus on your patients. Learn more about the changes and contact your VBC team if you have questions.
Clinical Integration updates:View the latest program updates including 2023 key dates, clinical integration appeals, MDE restored for several Cerner registry measures and more.
Population health outreach: View the patient outreach being conducted on your behalf to support quality outcomes and close quality care gaps.
NEW masking and visitation guidelines: Effective Dec. 18, we’re implementing the following visitor restrictions and masking guidelines to protect our patients and teammates due to steadily increasing levels of seasonal respiratory viruses, including COVID, flu and RSV. Learn more.
New safety event reporting platform: On Jan. 2, we will transition from MIDAS to the Origami platform for all safety events and near-miss reporting, which is a very similar format with also uses tiles to select the event category. Learn more about how to enter a safety event when at an Advocate site.
Changes to Medicare breast imaging coverage: Medicare coverage for breast ultrasound services depends upon meeting medical necessity requirements. If those requirements are not met, schedulers will receive an alert in Epic to notify patients of their financial responsibility. If the patient cancels the appointment based on cost, the ordering physician or APC will be notified. View requirements.
Pharmacy & Therapeutics updates: Review the latest Pharmacy and Therapeutics ambulatory and regional committees’ decisions. View November summary.
Every drop counts, donate now:We are still being extremely conservative with blood products due to the nationwide emergency appeal for blood and platelet donors. Consider donating this December.
Epic Updates
Hyperdrive update: The recent change to Epic Hyperdrive in the inpatient setting and Epic Connect was successful. We’re continuing to focus on the speed of Dragon/Fluency Direct and are working towards a resolution with the vendor. For questions, Epic Connect practices please reach out to your Customer Success Manager and Epic users in the hospitals please reach out to Clinical Informatics.
Epic Update: Hospital edition:Hyperdrive go-live, upcoming changes to controlled substance prescribing, problem list update and more.
Additional Things to Know
Service Line Leadership announcement:Shaun O'Leary, MD, has been named Vice President, Neuroscience Service Line, effective Dec. 17.Lean more about Dr. O'Leary.
Is radiation therapy more effective before or after surgery?: Through an open clinical trial at our Midwest cancer clinics, led by Daniel Lindsay, MD, we are investigating whether people with metastasized cancer to the brain see better treatment outcomes if radiation is given prior to surgery.
Continuing Medical Education
New Developments in Cardiology
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, 8 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Learn about new developments in the field of cardiovascular disorders and their clinical applications to encourage discussion and promote improved patient outcomes.
Resources available for 2023 Women’s Leadership Conference
Thank you for those of you who attended the Women’s Leadership Conference. If you couldn’t join, access inspirational resources including a recording of the keynote.
