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PHMG Providers starting since November 1, 2013:

Eugene/Springfield
Jason D.Cronin, MD
Infectious Disease

David Schwartz, MD
Hospitalist

Cassandra Wolanin, NP
Hospitalist 

Florence
Andrea J.Silvola, CRNA
Anesthesiology

Longview
Florencia Kantt, NP
Pediatrics 

Vancouver
Bita Khatibi, MD
Family Medicine

Julie A.Miles, MD
Family Medicine
 
Whatcom
Danielle Wiley, PA
Vascular Surgery 

PH Labs
Melanie Markarian,  
Pathology

 View list with locations
Dr. Howard Graman

It is remarkable how quickly technology has taken hold in our culture. If you're like me, you probably have trouble imagining a day going without your phone or tablet for work, leisure or personal communications.

In recognition of our increasingly mobile (and wired -- or wireless?) society, PeaceHealth has launched a new system-wide smartphone application to help patients, visitors, volunteers and staff connect with our doctors and services. Besides directories, the app includes wayfinding directions and, for some facilities, emergency room wait times and surgery tracking.

Before PeaceHealth starts promoting it to the broader public, caregivers who have an iPhone or Droid device are encouraged to test the app and vet the information for themselves. Typically with technology, there is room for improvement so PeaceHealth will be collecting feedback to incorporate in future upgrades of the tool. (Get app here.) To submit your feedback, use the app or email mobileappfeedback@peacehealth.org.

I'm also happy to report that several new providers joined the group last month (see left column) and a dozen more are due to begin now through next July.

Welcome to all of our new colleagues. Thank you for being here. We look forward to working with you to care for our communities.
VISTA Measure
Shadow Report for  Diabetes Bundled Measure
As many of you know our FY14 target for our VISTA DM bundled measure is 34%, a 1-percentage point improvement over our June 2013 year-end result.  We were not able to set our FY14 goal based on the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ) performance because they were in the process of modifying their target for blood pressure control from <130/80 to <140/90; PHMG has already made this change. 

To use WCHQ as our benchmark organization we need to ensure that PHMG is aligned exactly with all of their specifications so there will be a few changes made to our measure.  The changes will include: 1) patients must have been seen at least once per year over the past 2 years and at least one of those visits must be with a PCP, 2) only BPs in ambulatory settings are included and, 3) all patients who meet the above criteria will be included regardless of alternate/modified care plans. 

Although a new goal will not be set based on these criteria until July 2014, a monthly shadow report will be produced beginning January 2014.  This will be a supplement report and will not replace the current clinic and provider monthly reports (M22976) until July. 

 

Questions?  Please contact David Killaby at dkillaby@peacehealth.org.
Incentive Award
Wanted:  Documentation Specialists
Nurses with experience in clinical documentation integrity (CDI) are in very high demand, largely because health care providers nationwide are preparing to implement ICD-10.

PeaceHealth is offering a $2,500 award to caregivers who refer nurses who end up being hired by PeaceHealth as clinical documentation integrity specialists.

Although budgets remain tight, PeaceHealth believes these awards are a good investment. CDI specialists help ensure that PeaceHealth receives the appropriate level of reimbursement for the care that is delivered to our patients, in addition to supporting the quality of our clinical data.

Click for more details about the process, candidates for referral and who is eligible for incentive awards.
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