Please note: This is an internal Advocate Aurora Health newsletter and safe to open. Use Chrome for best viewing. |
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In this issue
- COVID-19 Updates
- Culture of Safety Survey
- Supporting Your Practice
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Don Calcagno, SVP, Population Health & Managed Care | President, APP
Carrie Nelson, MD, System VP/CMO Population Health & Health Outcomes | Chief Clinical Officer, APP
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It’s hard to believe we are already six months into the year. Thank you for your continued commitment to helping our patients live well. We are using this time to take a pulse check on our performance that impacts quality care for our patients and helps build the Single Incentive Fund. |
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We reached the largest total incentive in history last year at $131.5 million and have significant opportunity to help keep this trend moving forward. You’ve been hearing much from us and other APP leaders on the following three topics that are critical to our shared success:
- Annual Wellness Visits
- Clinical Risk Adjustment
- MA Stars
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Click the "Full details" button below to read more on these timely updates.
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State of Illinois COVID-19 Virtual Care Program a success: As COVID-19 cases continue to decline, Advocate Aurora Health has wrapped up its partnership with the State of Illinois. Through this innovative program, we able to provide virtual care and support to more than 6,200 patients through the LiveWell app.
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Vaccine accessibility efforts: As part of our continuing focus on health equity, Advocate Aurora is helping get vaccines to people where they are.
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Virtual health reimbursement coverage: Refer to the payer overview and summary outlining the latest virtual health insurance coverage changes.
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Reminder: Physicians can receive COVID-19 vaccine at Advocate Aurora Employee Health offices: If you haven’t yet, you can now get your vaccine simply by calling your local Employee Health office to schedule your appointment.
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Looking for more info? Visit the COVID-19 Information Center.
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Watch Jim Skogsbergh's video as he addresses vaccine questions alongside Mary Beth Kingston, Chief Nursing Officer, Robert Citronberg, MD, Executive Medical Director of Infectious Disease and Prevention, and Dalia Davood, MD, OBGYN.
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Epic Connect program
Initial practices: Implementation is underway for our first group of practices. Get to know them and hear from one of your colleagues:
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“I’ve been practicing medicine for 25 years and have gone through implementation of a few EMR systems. Epic is by far the most robust including the ability to interface with other hospital EMRs which we can’t do today. In the past, we have also worked for the EMR and just tried to do the basics. If we use it properly, Epic will work for us in supporting the delivery of more efficient and safer patient care. I’m very excited to be one of the first practices to go live on Epic Connect so that I can help provide input that will positively impact other APP practices. The team has been excellent in supporting our full practice – from physicians, clinical staff and front desk. Everything has been very streamlined and organized and we look forward to continuing this journey.”
Good Shepherd PHO
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Epic Connect benefits: As a reminder, benefits of Epic Connect include the following. Stay tuned for additional information on the full program implementation timeline.
- One patient. One record: enhances safety and high reliability
- Enhanced access from any device, from anywhere
- Built for patients and clinicians: seamless user experiences
- Seamless referrals
- 360 degree patient view
- Clinical decision support and alerts
- Robust care gap and clinical risk adjustment features
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Advocate Aurora Epic upgrade set for June 16
To ensure a smooth upgrade, please review this training document as it includes helpful information and screenshots highlighting new features. Reminder: See this overview highlighting some of the overall upgrade features. As part of this upgrade, end users will also see one view change for EpicCare Link as it relates to allergy views. The duration of the upgrade will be from 2:30 a.m.- 4:30 a.m.
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EpicCare Link: Care management tip
To further increase care coordination, physicians and teams can identify patients who are active in Ambulatory Care Management in ECL via the Care Team section. Here’s how in two simple steps:
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First: Patients should first be added to the physician’s patient list
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Second: Navigate to the Patient SnapShot to identify if an Ambulatory Care Manager/Care Transitions Nurse is active on the Care Team and if there is an open program.
- Learn more
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Clinical decision support for advanced diagnostic imaging
On June 16, a Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tool will be launched in Epic hyperspace at Advocate hospitals to support the ordering of advanced diagnostic imaging services, to help keep patients safe while also reducing backend work for ordering physicians with only a few extra clicks. View tip sheet. More details to come on using this tool through ECL in your office. Learn more.
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Safety & High Reliability |
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Culture of Safety Survey: June 28 to July 31
We’re first and foremost a safe clinical enterprise dedicated to ensuring safe, high-quality care for all patients and safe work environment for our team members and physicians. A critical part of our journey to zero serious safety events by 2025 is the annual Culture of Safety Survey that helps us prevent, better manage and create solutions for our safety.
Watch your email for the survey coming from our external vendor, Perceptyx, starting June 28.
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Clinical Integration program: Review latest update.
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Pharmacy and therapeutics updates: Review the latest summary from Advocate Aurora Health Pharmacy and Therapeutics system and ambulatory committees, including the addition of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (Lokelma) and venetoclax (Venclexta) to formulary.
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Population outreach: We are conducting the following patient outreach on your behalf to support quality outcomes and close quality care gaps. Read more.
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Government enewsletter: View the latest edition, including updates on telehealth parity and coverage, the Prior Authorization Reform Act and more.
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Celebrating Pride Month |
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Supporting your Diversity, Equity & Inclusion learning journey
View the 13-minute film, “A Normal Girl,” which brings the unknown struggles of intersex people to light. Read more about this film and watch by entering passcode EA2021 here. Continue the conversation by joining our Talk Back Sessions June 23 at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sessions are limited; register today.
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MEDtalks: Unique preventative health strategies for LGBTQ population |
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June 17 | Noon–1 p.m.
Speakers:
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Learn to improve your LGBTQ patients’ visit by identifying the unique health areas that should be addressed, using appropriate terminology and tips to make the visit more productive. Get an introduction to cancer screenings in the transgender community and concepts surrounding transgender surgery. Understand the overall special health care concerns in the LGBTQ community, including those over age 50. |
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Your research is changing lives: Read this month’s Advocate Aurora Health Research Institute Update which includes the latest clinical studies and findings conducted throughout our system, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart disease risk factors and COVID-19.
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GRID radiotherapy: Spatially Fractionated GRID Radiation Therapy is a novel technique used to treat large bulky tumors that fail conventional treatment modalities by harnessing innate, in vivo "vaccination" induced by large doses of radiation. Majid Mohiuddin, MD, radiation oncologist, leads GRID treatment efforts at Advocate Health Care. For patient referrals, please call 847-723-8030.
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In the News: Charles Miller, MD, reproductive endocrinologist and director of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, comments about common myths and misinformation relating to fertility. Read article.
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Continuing Medical Education & Events |
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Note: The Timely topics on the care of older and aging adults: LGBTQ CME on June 16 was rescheduled. Date TBD.
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CME Website: Webinars & Recordings |
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