TransforMED Practice Transformations Newsletter
November 2009 Edition



Dr. McGeeney's CEO Report:  Talking in the mirror won't get it done
CEO report talking in the mirror
"As the health care debate rages on, it is apparent that many of the stakeholders are talking into the mirror.  They are conferencing with others of like mind and "preaching to the choir" as it were. This is certainly true for the decision makers who are trying to reform health care without a meaningful understanding of how the system really works and what actually occurs in the all-important physician patient relationship. The same is true for those in the trenches..."

Read Dr. McGeeney's CEO Report
BCBC-KC logoBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and TransforMED Join with Primary Care Physician Groups in Medical Home Pilot

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and TransforMED have introduced a pilot program in which 13 primary care physician groups in the Kansas City area will adopt the patient-centered medical home mocel. TransforMED's practice enhancement facilitators will work directly with doctors and their staff as they implement new technologies and processes to improve patient access and care outcomes, increase patient and physician satisfaction, and reduce errors to lower health care costs. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City will provide financial sponsorship for the two-year pilot program.

Click here to read the press release

Read "Pilot project may revolutionize how health care is managed" at the Kansas City Star



TransforMED | Welch Allyn EHR Prep-Select Webinar

EHR Prep-SelectThe new government economic stimulus package has provided significant incentives for physician practices to purchase and put to "meaningful use" an electronic health record (EHR) system.

You know that moving to an EHR has the potential to be a positive investment for your practice and your patients -- but the high costs, time and complexity of implementing an EHR system can be challenging for your team and your budget.

December 3rd at 5pm Central join TransforMED and Welch Allyn for a live demonstration of the new EHR Prep-Select tool that walks you through a simple and effective step-by-step process of planning and preparation. Click here to register for this live online seminar
 


Join Delta-Exchange

Why spend up to $300 to attend a single quality improvement or PCMH webinar -- when for just $30 a month you can join Delta-Exchange and get access to a continually expanding library of online PCMH seminars led by TransforMED's experienced Practice Enhancement facilitators? Delta-Exchange members can currently access over 20 topics at their convenience, ranging from 5 Steps to a More Profitable Practice to our popular NCQA Recognition 7-part series -- PLUS we typically add 2-3 new online seminars per month!

"One of the best webinars I have ever participated in. I will definitely look for more to attend and include my staff."
- Donna Fulton
And our online seminars consistently earn high marks from attendees. The topics are real-world and relevant and the Q&A is lively. Recently, Donna Fulton, a participant in Jim Arend's Co-Payment Collection Best Practices online seminar said, "One of the best webinars I have ever participated in -- I will definitely look for more to attend and include my staff."

Join Delta-Exchange -- TransforMED's online, collaborative network where primary care practices can collaborate on transformation projects; discuss issues, challenges and successes; ask questions; share practical knowledge and experiences - and work together to maintain the momentum for transformation to a patient-centered medical home.

Get in the Zone by going to www.transformed.com/delta-exchange



FOCUS on Patient Experience
What kind of experience are your patients having at your practice?

Patient experience is core to the patient-centered medical home. TransforMED's Patient Experience Assessment Tool (PEAT) is a short, easily administered questionnaire, either online or via paper, that provides practices with information and insight on their patients' view of the services provided.

PEAT
Evaluating Patient Experience Key to Improving Practice

Elaine Skoch Measuring and improving patient satisfaction may be the most direct route to improving your practice. "The patient is at the center of the practice," Elaine Skoch, RN, MN, EMBA, CNAA, said during a TransforMED presentation on evaluating patient experience. "The first step is to measure how well you are doing so you know where and what to improve."

Read the article from AAFP's publication UPCLOSE - A View of the Scientific Assembly



TransforMED and MGMA Launch Transformation Series of Patient-Centered Medical Home Workbooks
2 New WorkbooksTransforMED Practice Enhancement Facilitators are sharing their learnings in a series of workbooks that provide practices concise, step-by-step information on relevant topics in health care delivery and will be instrumental in ensuring success for your practice. The first two books titled the Patient-Centered Medical Home Access Workbook and the Patient-Centered Medical Home Care Management Workbook are now available for purchase.

To find out more about the Transformation Series of workbooks and get your promotional code to take advantage of the discounted TransforMED Member price of just $59 per workbook -- click here.



PCMH Symposium Draws Standing Room Only Crowd

packed roomTransforMED staff presented a patient centered medical home (PCMH) learning collaborative entitled "The Transformation Journey to a PCMH" to a standing room only crowd at the AAFP's Scientific Assembly in Boston.

The symposium drew attendees from all over the United States and represented a vast array of family medicine practices.

Read an article about the symposium



Touchstone gatheringTouchstoneMaine Conference on the Patient Centered Medical Home

Physicians and staff members from nine TransforMED National Demonstration Project practices and thirty individuals were registered for the event.

Read the article and Dr. Loxterkamp's inspiring "14 Aphorisms"



Dean learning instituteDean Fall Learning Institute Electrifies PCMH Pilot Practices

TransforMED and Dean Health System's recent learning institute event focused on access to care and care management. Site team presentations highlighted the pilot practices' accomplishments, shared best practices, and illustrated the emerging changes in practice culture. The patient panel presentation received a standing ovation.

Read more about the event



Touchstone Group

From the Touchstone Group listServ...

>>> bobeidus@eidushealth.com 10/23/2009 6:08 >>>

A patient came to me this week for a complete physical. He had just moved up from Virginia and lives now about 5 towns away from my practice. In New Jersey it is very uncommon for someone to go 5 towns over for access to health care, so I asked him how he was referred to me. He told me that in Virginia he had seen a Dr. Bill Harrington. Dr. Harrington's practice was part of "some national project".

He was so delighted with Dr. Harrington's practice and style of care that he went to the TransforMED website to see if there were any doctors in NJ who were part of this project -- and found me. He also brought the records from Bill's office to me for the first visit-- nice to make that connection. I hope that I can meet his very high expectations!



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