Rhode Island Prevention Connection
Your resource for optimizing the use of your electronic health record (EHR) system to improve the quality and frequency of preventive health care services |
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Doctor's Corner
by Christopher Campanile, MD, PhD
Things to Consider in Preparation of the H1N1 Epidemic
You probably feel like you're already in the midst of an H1N1 epidemic, and you are. However, there might still be some preparations that you've overlooked because of how busy you are. This CDC link lists 10 items that make sure you and your practice are ready for the worst.
1. Develop a Business Continuity Plan
2. Inform employees about your plan for coping with additional surge during pandemic
3. Plan to operate your facility if there is significant staff absenteeism
4. Protect your workplace by asking sick employees to stay home
5. Plan for a surge of patients and increased demands for your services
6. Care for patients with novel H1N1 flu in your facility
7. Take steps to protect the health of your workforce during an outbreak of H1N1
8. Provide immunization against seasonal flu at no cost to your staff
9. Make sure you know about the pandemic planning and response activities of the hospitals, outpatient facilities and local public health in your community
10. Plan now so you will know where to turn for reliable, up-to-date information in your local community
Click here to view the article in its entirety. |
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Keeping the Message Consistent
A Google search today delivers over fifty million sites with references to "H1N1". Bing simplifies your search, yielding only 272,000 results! Information, and misinformation, on H1N1 immunization and incidence abounds. If you choose "I'm feeling lucky" - you will, luckily, be directed to the main CDC information site for this epidemic flu.. In turn, CDC will refer you to [flu.gov widget]. Both of these sites provide the most up to date and accurate information available. They will also link you to other reliably helpful sites, including Fluview, a weekly influenza surveillance data report.
With upcoming holiday travel looming, the information and updates on the CDC Travel link from the site, may be particularly important to your patients. The Air Transport Association reports that an average of 2 million passengers per day will travel globally on US airlines through the holiday season. While the US is not screening travelers for flu symptoms, a number of other countries are. US travelers abroad can expect anything from a temperature check to a nasal swab for a rapid flu test as they arrive in other countries. And, if positive, they may be quarantined or hospitalized for treatment.
The world is on watch and recommendations about H1N1 and seasonal flu are coming at your patients from every angle. As they look to you for clarity and guidance, the Rhode Island Department of Health site is a good comprehensive resource to refer them to. It provides complete local updates and a variety of links back to the CDC. The messaging on symptoms, treatment and when to seek medical care is direct and consistent.
The Ocean State Adult Immunization Coalition created a public service announcement stressing the importance of flu and pneumonia immunizations, which can be heard several times a day on your local radio stations. You may want to consider adding a similar message to your telephone queue for your patients while they are on hold. |
Prevention Update
The Quarter 5 data for the Power Up for Prevention practices has been collected and is ready to be shared.
We are contacting the offices to arrange monthly meetings in which we plan to share best practices, assist you with overcoming any barriers you have encountered, and share your data with you.
Our hope is to benchmark de-identifiable data within each practice and eventually across the project with those who wish to participate in that process. | |
Sharing Best Practices
One of the work-flow changes implemented in many practices involves leveraging the medical assistants to review the patient's preventative health screen when rooming the patient. The medical assistant or nurse will administer the influenza and pneumonia vaccine if the patient is due for it and if there is a standing order in place. If the patient is due for a mammogram or colonoscopy, the medical assistant, with the patient's agreement, will initiate the order and provide the patient with educational materials. The provider then needs only to approve the order and counsel the patient if they have any questions or further concerns.
If you would like assistance to implement this or other work-flow changes in your practice, please feel free to contact us.
Keep up the great work!
Please contact us with your best practices and we will share your successes in our newsletter.
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In the News
As of October 27, 2009, all flu clinics in the state have been cancelled due to a lack of vaccine. Updates to the status of flu clinics will be made to the OSAIC website when the Department of Health receives more vaccine. |
Coming Soon
Be sure to watch for important information on preventing pneumonia in the December issue of Prevention Connection. |
This material was prepared by Quality Partners of Rhode Island, the Quality Improvement Organization for Rhode Island, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. |
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Quote of the Month
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.
~Henry Ford
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Tip of the Month
Have you created a standing order in your practice for influenza and pneumonia vaccine? Many providers across the country have adopted this practice as a time saving process improvement.
Contact us for more information and assistance with customizing a generic standing order for your practice. |
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Events
Sat. Nov. 21
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Warwick, RI
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Medicare
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EHR Tools
eClinicalWorks
EpiChart
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Feedback Requested
Your feedback is very important to us and will help us target areas that you feel will add value to your work. Please let us know if there are specific topics you would like to see included in this newsletter, or other ways in which we can be of assistance.
Thank you for your commitment to quality.
If you have questions or comments or require technical assistance on the Power Up for Prevention Project, please contact
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