Beacon Clinics Recognized for Their Outstanding Work
The following clinics were recognized at the second Beacon Learning Session for going above and beyond to improve the care their patients receive.
Riverton Family Health Center recently achieved a major milestone by completing a 90-day reporting period demonstrating "Meaningful Use" of an electronic health record (EHR) system. They have also attained success on their first Beacon AIM of increasing A1c testing by 5% in 90 days. The clinic's strategy for improving their aim focused on implementing an automated voice mail message from their electronic system directly to the patients' phone. They calculated a one in ten response to be the break-even point. After reviewing their data they realized A1c testing had increased by 10%.
Intermountain South Sandy Family Clinic is focusing on infusion of staff, enthusiasm, 100% participation and creativity in care for their diabetic patients. They have a medical assistant who took it upon herself to put a sign on the bathroom door that read, "If you're diabetic, pee in a cup!" They also used the UDPRs to create an eye referral form to increase tracking and reporting of eye exams. Not only did they implement this in their clinic but networked to share with many other clinics.
Ali Gull and Dr. J. Randal Young were recognized for their excitement in attending the Learning Session; they were the first clinic to sign up, which also garnered them some Bees tickets. Their eagerness and interest in all things Beacon ensures their success in meeting their goal of developing a new EHR template for patients with diabetes at high-risk for foot problems.
Debra Bowen, Haydee Decker, Sally Eliason, Dr. Fred Civish, and Michelle Dahle from Jordan Meadows Medical were recognized for having such a large team attend the Learning Session, as well as being Pioneers for their very successful first AIM to improve foot care for patients with diabetes. They had hoped to increase the number of foot exams performed and documented by 60% in 3 months. They met and exceeded this goal by increasing the number by 91%! This was accomplished by having MA's ask patients to remove their socks and shoes after entering the exam rooms (prior to seeing their providers); stocking all exam rooms with monofilaments; and hanging posters to remind patients and providers of the importance of foot exams.
Dr. Tan Tran and Aubree Chesley, Clinic Office Manager, from West Valley Family Practice (not pictured) were recognized for their hard work and tenacity in overcoming significant EHR challenges to meet their goal of identifying and scheduling patients with diabetes to come in for required overdue tests. Unable to run reports, Aubree used information from SelectHealth to accomplish this goal, which was much more time consuming than being able to run a report. Way to hang in there Dr. Tran and Aubree! A rough start, but the clinic staff are getting caught up on how to best utilize their EHR system.
