June 2008
PRISM 5
As those of you who attended our FIFTH Practice Improvement Series Meeting (PRISM) on May 8th will attest, a productive and informative day was had by all. As a matter of fact:- 90% of the participants who responded to our survey said that they were very likely or likely to adopt new strategies as a result of what they learned at this conference.
- Examples of new strategies included: implementing Medication Reconciliation, PHR, Teach back Technique, and continued improvements in health literacy within the practices.
Practice Improvement Series Meetings are open to all practices in the Learning Community. They include content appropriate for both physicians and office staff, and offer educational sessions on the conditions targeted for improvement (i.e. diabetes, CVD, depression, asthma/obstructive lung disease), as well as cross-cutting topics. Please take advantage of these learning opportunities by attending future PRISMs.
Save the Date for PRISM 6
You are invited to attend our third Practice Improvement Series Meeting of 2008 to be held on September 25, 2008. The theme for PRISM 6 is "Preparing for an Aging Maine."
Space is limited! Please register in advance at mhlc@mmc.org or call 207.541.7569. When doing so, please provide us with your name, credentials, title, organization, address, contact number and email address.
Practice Networking
Over twenty Practices are now listed and ready to participate! Be sure to contact one another and start the process now. We are offering a $25 American Express Gift Cheque to the first three combined practices to complete a networking session and evaluation. It's as easy as 1-2-3!- Go to our website and select a topic of interest.
- Click on the share or learn category and view the listed practices.
- Determine which practice you'd like to participate with, contact them and set up a meeting.
Once your networking session is complete, be sure to take the evaluation survey and you'll be in the running for the $25 cash card. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at mhlc@mmc.org or call Paul Begin at 207.541.7569. Click here to be directed to the site. There you'll find everything you need to participate in this new process. Please act now!
Interested in Mental Health Integration?
Have you ever wished that you had a mental health clinician right in your practice who could work with you to care for your patients? Please click here for additional information.
Mental Health Integration Survey - BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN $50!
As we move beyond our specific pilot phase, we are interested in meeting a broader need, but would like to know more about your present interest in integrated mental health services. Please participate in a 3 question survey and be eligible to win a $50 American Express Gift Cheque. Your participation will assist us in our future work.
Do You Want Your Asthma Patients to be Good at Self-Management?
Well, you're in luck – help is just a FAX away! Click here to download a quick and easy form that connects your patient to a certified asthma educator. Patients who have seen an asthma educator have documented reductions in ED visits and hospitalizations during the 6 months after their educational session. Asthma educators can spend time identifying barriers that inhibit your patient from having well-controlled asthma. Together they can work on a strategy to overcome those barriers. Patients will gain a greater understanding of their disease, how to manage it and how to properly use the medications and devices that are necessary for their well-being. You owe it to your self and to your patients. The FAX line is humming…
Partnering for Healthy Aging
MaineHealth's Partnership for Healthy Aging is managing a Living Well (Chronic Disease Self-Management) Sustainable Systems Grant awarded to Maine's Office of Elder Services, May 1, 2008. This competitive grant is funded by Atlantic Philanthropies. It was awarded to 8 states by the National Council on Aging.
Over the course of 3 years the PFHA team will work with multiple public and private partners to design and establish systems that lead to statewide Living Well access. By May 2011, 1250 older adults will be reached. Living Well offers older adults the opportunity and tools to take control of their health through behavior changes. Currently the program is offered in 14 counties, with 90 leaders, 12 Master Trainers and 2 Trainers available to build capacity and develop more robust programs.
Expanding the Practice Based Model (PBM) is a key objective of Maine's proposal. This model links community lay volunteers, from an Area Agency on Aging (AAA), with trained leaders located in physician practices. Patients are referred directly to six-week workshops. Workshop schedules are negotiated by leaders and participants. A toolkit and consultation will be made available to interested practices to support implementation. Look for additional information on the PBM at Prism 6.
Cardiovascular Health Program
New Blood Pressure Training Initiative – Invitation for Feedback
Did you know that 4 out of 10 Mainers have high blood pressure and that by reducing systolic pressure by 12 to 13 points could reduce heart attacks by 21% and strokes by 37%. Given that obtaining an accurate blood pressure measurement is imperative to the patient's diagnosis and care, utilizing proper measurement technique and understanding the many variables that influence it is essential.
MaineHealth in conjunction with the PHO is developing a Blood Pressure Clinical Competency for healthcare providers. We welcome your input into the development of this program. Please share with us your thoughts and suggestions especially as they pertain to the preferred format – would you opt for a face to face educational session 45-60 minutes OR a self-study guide via web, DVD or paper. Please feel free to email Cindy Richards at richac2@mmc.org with your comments. Thank you.
Save the Date: Optimal Glycemic Control for the Hospitalized Patient Conference
The MaineHealth Target Diabetes team would like to invite you to attend our third learning session on this very important initiative to be held on October 22, 2008 at the Harraseeket Inn, Freeport, Maine.
Key Note Speaker: Dr. Rajesh Garg from Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard. Joining Dr. Garg will be two members of his clinical team from nursing and pharmacy - all of whom who have implemented inpatient protocols for the management of hyperglycemia in the diabetic and non-diabetic patient. We will look to this group and local hospital teams to share their experiences with us, as momentum toward implementing inpatient protocols continues to build in Maine.
This is a FREE day-long conference with breakfast and lunch being served. For more information, please contact Paul Ranucci, Target Diabetes Manager at 207.541.7534 or via email at ranucp@mmc.org
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