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INSIDE EDITION
January 2014

New Year, Fresh Start

Resolve to make 2014 your best year yet

  

January marks the beginning of a new year and a fresh start. It's a time when we reflect on experiences and things we learned during the previous year and resolve to do something better over the next 12 months.

 

As you consider your personal New Year's resolutions and self-improvements, it's also a great time to identify opportunities for quality improvement within your agency.

  
  
In This Issue
HHQI Agency of the Month
Congratulations to Olympic Medical Home Health

 

Olympic Medical Home Health is a Medicare-certified, state-licensed home health agency dedicated to restoring individuals to optimum wellness, comfort and independence in their own homes throughout Clallam and West Jefferson counties in northeast Washington state.

 

Want to show off your home health agency's commitment to quality improvement? Submit your nomination today.

Networking
Get inspired by the success of other HHQI participants
 

Tackling major, ongoing challenges like reducing avoidable hospitalizations, preventing falls and improving medication management can feel overwhelming, but there's good news. Thousands of HHQI-participating home health agencies across the country are facing the same challenges and can learn from each other's experiences.

 

Visit the HHQI website to browse our online library of participant success stories organized by topic. Have your own success story to share? Please email us at [email protected].

 

Browse success stories

Industry News
JNC 8 Hypertension Guideline Released

 

The Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) recently released its 2014 Evidence-Based Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. The panel members used rigorous evidence-based methods, developing Evidence Statements and recommendations for blood pressure treatment. The JNC 8 report is an executive summary of the evidence and is designed to provide clear recommendations for all clinicians.

 

Read the JNC 8 Report
Expert Advice
HHQI Technical Expert Panelist published in Home Healthcare Nurse
    

Infection control expert and HHQI Technical Expert Panelist Mary McGoldrick authored an article on infection prevention/control in the home care and hospice setting that recently appeared in Home Healthcare Nurse. In her article, Mary provides valuable information for agencies on low-cost, low-tech and easy-to-implement guidance to prevent patient contamination.

Read more

Partner Spotlight
CFMC Webinar on New Preventive Cardiovascular Care Guidelines

 

Colorado's Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care (CFMC), is offering a free, 1-hour webinar on February 4 at 10:30am (ET). Robert H. Eckel, MD, FAHA, member of the expert workgroup responsible for the 2013 AHA/ACC Lifestyle Management Guidelines, will present.
 
Partner Spotlight
Join MHCA for Medicare Home Health Drug Regimen Review
 

On February 17, an interactive course from the Minnesota HomeCare Association (MHCA) will give participants the need-to-know information to successfully manage a medication review with their home care patients. Through lecture, discussion and hands-on activities, course participants will be introduced to a three-phase model for completing the drug review activities including documentation, patient assessment, and drug regimen interpretation.

 

Learn more

Partner Spotlight
VNAA Blueprint for Excellence to expand in 2014

Three months have passed since the Visiting Nurse Association of America (VNAA) launched the VNAA Blueprint for Excellence. In a recent blog post, VNAA CEO Tracey Moorhead discusses how this new quality improvement and workforce training resource will advance the home health profession in 2014.
 
Partner Spotlight
Additional Geriatric Home Health Resources

  Champ logo

The Collaboration for Homecare Advances in Management and Practice (CHAMP) Program was the first national initiative to advance home care excellence for older people. CHAMP's valuable resources and ePresentations are still available online.
 
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