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Hello, just a reminder you are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in the West Virginia Primary Care Association. Don't forget to add paula.beasley@wvpca.org to your address book, so you don't miss any issues of the WVPCA Weekly Outlook!
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WVPCA Weekly Outlook Newsletter
A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
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Quick Links: In This Issue.....
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| Upcoming Training Opportunites |
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Read the entire article from The Charleston Gazette Mail here.
Gov. Justice announces major broadband expansion
Read the entire article from WSAZ here.
Jobless claims fall to 881,000 but layoffs remain elevated
Read the entire article from WOWKNews here.
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The federal government has told states to prepare for a coronavirus vaccine to be ready to distribute by Nov. 1.
The timeline raised concern among public health experts about an "October surprise" - a vaccine approval driven by political considerations ahead of a presidential election, rather than science.
In a letter to governors, Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said states "in the near future" will receive permit applications from McKesson Corp., which has contracted with CDC to distribute vaccines to places including state and local health departments and hospitals. Read more from Modern Healthcare.
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There has been a large increase in the need for healthcare personal protective equipment (PPE) and specialty supplies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in demand has led to shortages in PPE and changes in how PPE is used and optimized. ASPR TRACIE, in collaboration with the COVID-19 Healthcare Resilience Working Group, is hosting this webinar to highlight PPE preservation strategies, trends, challenges, and lessons learned/promising practices.
Presenters from the public and private sectors will discuss strategies to optimize the healthcare supply of respirators and PPE, such as implementing crisis capacity strategies, respirator and mask testing programs, disinfection and decontamination procedures, and acquisition and distribution policies.
Thursday, September 24, 2020 | 2:30-4:00 PM (ET)
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HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir said the government plans to ship rapid coronavirus tests to assisted-living facilities, moving to fill a testing gap for older adults who don't need the constant attention of a nursing home.
Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir said assisted living facilities will be followed by senior day care centers and home health agencies in getting the tests. The tests will come from a supply of 150 million ordered from test maker Abbott Laboratories. Abbott's rapid test, the size of a credit card, is the first that doesn't require specialty computer equipment to process. It delivers results in about 15 minutes and is priced at $5, significantly lower than similar older tests. Read more here.
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COVID-19/ NOVEL CORONAVIRUS Pandemic
As you know, information on coronavirus is changing daily. The WVPCA is working with Federal, State, and local health officials in emergency preparedness activities as well as disseminating appropriate and current information to our Community Health Centers. This includes up-to-date resources and policies to ensure the continued health and safety of the communities we serve.
Guidance and resource information can be found on the WVPCA website here and coronavirus.gov.
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WVPCA News
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Registration Now Available for the Virtual CHC Leadership Forum 2020: Sharpening Our Vision
Please join the WVPCA as we have developed an insightful educational line up of speakers for the Virtual CHC Leadership Forum 2020: Sharpening Our Vision.
Join us in exploring what is in store for the health center of 2025: (Re)imagining the Future of Health Centers with Eric Meade; HRSA Roadmap and Update by Jennifer Joseph, Director, Office of Policy and Program Development; The Role of Quality in Value Based Care Delivery with Shannon Nielson of Curis; Workforce Wellness and Resiliency with Dr. Audrey Stillerman; Financial Management with BKD and more.
Please join us September 14-15 from the comfort of anywhere with wifi, without missing any insightful information or impactful resources.
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Addiction Treatment Continuous Quality Improvement Virtual Learning Series
Following the July launch of the ATLAS™ public-facing website, and in preparation for the upcoming launch of password-protected professional portals, Shatterproof is excited to turn its attention to helping addiction treatment facilities leverage the data available in ATLAS to build and sustain strong quality improvement (QI) infrastructures. To achieve this goal, this fall the ATLAS team will be launching an Addiction Treatment Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Learning Series.
The CQI Learning Series, facilitated by Shatterproof in partnership with various external organizations and speakers, will feature key quality improvement topics related to the Shatterproof National Principles of Care. Speakers will highlight resources available to providers and discuss how to implement best practices. Core components of the series include on-demand modules, monthly webinars, and associated technical assistance resources. All sessions will be recorded and provided after the event. There is no cost to attendees.
This event kicks-off the technical assistance phase of ATLAS, providing a brief overview of initial trends identified across the six ATLAS states and setting the stage for a series of learning events aimed at helping addiction treatment facilities maximize their use of ATLAS data to create a quality improvement infrastructure that sets them up for long term success. Dual focus: (1) the core tenets of QI and models for implementation, and (2) how to apply these concepts in an addiction treatment setting.
Session #1: September 24th, 12:00-1:30 EDT | Faculty: Victor Capoccia, PhD
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IPHCA Announces All Virtual Leadership Conference
The Illinois Primary Health Care Association, representing the state's 51 community health centers, announced its 2020 Annual Leadership Conference will be held online Oct. 28-30 during the coronavirus pandemic. IPHCA is using the virtual conference to connect its attendees with an outstanding roster of speakers:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, pro basketball's all-time leading scorer and Presidential Medal of Freedom Winner for his work to improve education in underserved communities
- Regina Benjamin, the 18th U.S. Surgeon General
- Maria Hinojosa, an Emmy-winning anchor and executive producer of NPR's "Latino USA"
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State News
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Two WV Community Health Centers Present During Ending the HIV Epidemic: Boot Camp for Community Health Centers Webinar Series
The WVPCA collaborated with the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers and the Mid-Atlantic Aids Education Training Center to develop a month-long, multi-state HIV Boot Camp webinar series. The series was available to community health centers, health departments, university health systems, and free clinics in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.
Tawnya Larch, Quality Program Manager at FamilyCare Health Centers presented how FamilyCare has implemented routine HIV testing by building custom order sets within Athena. Customized, bundled order sets have allowed providers to order HBV, HCV, and HIV tests much easier and accurately. They have also implemented a user-friendly workflow to allow for appropriate referrals to treatment for those patients who are positive for these conditions.
Dr. Mathew Weimer, Chief Medical Officer for Valley Health Systems gave a great presentation regarding Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV. He discussed how Valley Health Systems has trained providers regarding the use of PrEP to minimize the risk of acquiring HIV in the community. Valley Health Systems tracks the use of PrEP through their pharmacy system to monitor dispensation and compliance rates as a means of continuous quality improvement.
The WVPCA would like to thank Tawnya Larch and Dr. Weimer for their time and expertise to promote HIV prevention, screening and referral to treatment to WV Community Health Centers.
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Wow, wow, wow. Between WV's self-response rate (55.6%) and nonresponse follow-up by door-to-door Census takers (38.6%), 94.2% of WV households have been enumerated as of August 31. This makes us second in the nation!
But guess what? The even better news is it's not too late to encourage those last 5.8% of our fellow West Virginians to complete the 2020 Census. Even though 94.2% sounds like an impressive number, that still leaves over 1,000,000 (yes, one million!) West Virginians uncounted. That's still a lot of people left unrepresented! Health centers are urged to do your part to support a healthy democracy and an accurate U.S. Census. What is at stake?
- Billions in federal funds for critical services like disaster recovery initiatives, support to rural areas, health clinics, child abuse prevention programs, and more
- The number of seats West Virginia has in U.S. House of Delegates
Because of the pandemic, the deadline for the once-every-10-year census has been extended to Oct. 31, 2020. Share this link for individuals to take the census. Both supporting the people we serve in understanding and exercising their right to vote as well as helping them understand the importance of the Census to support the services they count on are essential health center roles.
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WV Project ECHO Memory Health Opportunity
In collaboration with West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI), West Virginia University's Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI), and the Alzheimer's Association, WV Project ECHO will be launching a new ECHO project around Memory Health this fall. This project will provide an opportunity for primary care providers and others to present de-identified cases to a panel of experts (Hub) including (neurology, radiology, geriatrics, palliative care, nursing, social work), and receive mentoring in the management of memory health conditions such as Alzheimer's. These sessions also include didactic presentations on a variety of memory health topics including assessment of symptoms, routine care planning, and advanced care planning.
These sessions will take place on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 4-5pm via Zoom starting on October 6th and will be offered at no cost to those who participate. The sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the WV Project ECHO YouTube page for additional viewing. WV Project ECHO will also offer 1 hour of general continuing medical education credits for all who participate.
If you are interested in participating please complete the participation agreement that outlines the project in more detail. The agreement is used for record-keeping purposes and once we have it returned we will then send the Zoom calendar invites. Please remember that one participation agreement covers all who are interested in attending from that organization.
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National News
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Take the Next Step in your Career with the NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program
About the Program: NHSC S2S LRP applicants may qualify for up to $120,000 in tax-free loan repayment for their medical, nursing and dental school student loans. Eligible health professional students in their final year of school receive the award in exchange for a three-year service commitment in a high-need (HPSA 14 or above) rural, tribal, or urban community. Read the 2021 Application and Program Guidance (PDF-1.2 MB) carefully before you start your application
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- Students must be U.S. citizens or nationals and enrolled or accepted in an eligible medical (MD or DO), dental (DDS or DMD), NP or CNM degree program at a U.S. accredited school.
- Installments are paid to students annually in a lump sum which, when applied to qualified health professional student loans, can significantly lower the overall debt by reducing accrued loan interest amounts.
- NHSC S2S LRP award recipients are eligible to continue service through the NHSC Loan Repayment Program, and could potentially pay off all of their educational debt with continued service at an approved NHSC site.
Application Webinar
Tuesday, September 15 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Join the Webinar
Dial in: 800-857-9780 | Passcode: 4606794
Online Q & A Sessions
Tuesday, September 29 & Monday, October 26 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
Ask a Question
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
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HHS Telemedicine Hack (TM Hack) is a 10-week virtual, peer-to-peer learning community to accelerate telemedicine implementation for ambulatory providers. Components of TM Hack include:
- TeleECHO sessions.
- Virtual "office hour" discussion panels.
- Peer-to-peer learning between sessions facilitated via virtual discussion boards.
CME/CEU credits are available at no cost to participants.
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Learn about the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's (USPSTF's) Final Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Recommendations and PrEP implementation guidelines, as well as resources from The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP. Experts will share the latest guidelines and recommendations for HIV screening and PrEP prescribing practices for HIV-negative patients that may be at risk for contracting HIV.
Thursday, September 17, 2020
2:00 PM EST
The title says it all. Head of the Bureau of Primary Health Care, Jim Macrae brings us up to date on the most recent health center news. Save the following dates for these upcoming session:
Thursday, September 17, 2020
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
*Access details coming soon
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Financial and Funding Resources
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HC Requests for Carryover of Unobligated Balances
In recognition of the impact of COVID-19, HRSA will consider approving carryover of unobligated balances for any Health Center Program (H80) funding originating from more than one prior budget or project period-for example, unobligated balances from fiscal year (FY) 2018 that have already been carried over into FY 2019, and which your health center now needs for FY 2020 in-scope activities.
Note that any carryover funds, regardless of amount, must be used for the original approved purpose(s) of the award. In accordance with 45 CFR Part 75.403-405, you must use federal award funds only for allowable costs that are:
- Consistent with the terms and conditions of the federal award and the Federal Cost Principles (45 CFR Part 75 Subpart E), including any supplemental award requirements (e.g., patient targets, FTE hiring and timelines);
- Allocable to the purposes of the Health Center Program project; and
- Reasonable.
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Community Health Center Resources
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Jackson Kelly attorneys provide limited consultation to all members of the WVPCA at no charge, as part of the WVPCA contract. There is no limit to the number of calls which any member may make. All inquiries within the scope of professional competence of firm attorneys will be addressed. Inquiries which require expertise not available through the firm will be promptly identified and, when requested, Jackson Kelly will assist in referring the matter to accounting firms, insurance agents, or others as circumstances warrant.
All inquiries, responses and consultation services provided by the firm lawyers will be provided without additional charge beyond the retainer amount, except for matters which require formal opinions, representation of record in litigation, transactional work, e.g. the purchase or sale of real property, or matters which require continued representation, research or consultation beyond a single inquiry or document review.
Justin M. Harrison is a labor & employment lawyer with Jackson Kelly PLLC. He is available for consultation through a special retainer relationship with the WVPCA. Justin can be reached at 304.340.1358 and via email at justin.harrison@jacksonkelly.com.
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Risk Management Manual for Health Centers Now Available!
The Risk Management Manual for Health Centers is now available on the ECRI Institute Clinical Risk Management Program website! Designed to support a proactive approach to risk management at health centers and free clinics, the Manual provides background, tips, and how-tos in a manageable format. Specific areas that are covered include:
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Risk Management Programs & Plans
| Claims and Lawsuits
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Role of the Risk Manager
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Patient Grievances and Complaints
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Communication with Patients
| Credentialing and Privileging
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Communication among Providers, Staff, and Community Partners
| Tracking Systems for Diagnostic Tests, Referrals, and Hospitalizations
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COVID-19 Resources for Health Centers
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ECRI Institute
Federally qualified health centers and free clinics are on the front line in testing and treating patients who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Use these resources to keep your staff and patients safe:
In addition, ECRI's COVID-19 Resource Center includes free resources addressing the provision of clinical care and managing the supply chain. Updated several times per week, highlights include:
Additional guidance is available directly from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including:
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WVPCA Staff
Debra Boyd | Chief Financial/Chief Operations Officer
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To sign up to receive the WVPCA Weekly Newsletter, click HERE
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West Virginia Primary Care Association
1700 MacCorkle Ave. Charleston, WV 25314| (304) 346-0032 | WWW.WVPCA.ORG
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This project is/was supported partially/fully by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U58CS06834 State and Regional Primary Care Associations. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
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