Resource spotlight
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Also available |
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October 30, 2014 |
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In this issue:
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CDC releases updated guidance for Ebola virus disease |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued enhanced guidance on the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers entering an Ebola patient’s hospital room. The guidance emphasizes the importance of training, practice, competence and observation of health care workers in the correct donning and removal of PPE selected by the facility. The American Hospital Association (AHA) sent a special advisory to all hospitals with further details. The CDC has also released guidance to help hospital emergency departments evaluate and manage patients who present with symptoms that could indicate Ebola. The guidance recommends immediately determining whether the patient has lived in or traveled to a country with widespread Ebola transmission or had contact with an individual with Ebola in the previous 21 days; notifying the hospital’s infection control staff and the local health department of such patients; and isolating patients with both exposure and signs or symptoms of Ebola. Patients transported by emergency medical services should be received in a designated area and transported to the isolation area with minimal staff and public contact, the guidance states. In addition, the CDC has released updated guidance for the monitoring of individuals who have potentially been exposed to Ebola. The guidance stratifies risk by four levels – high, some, low and no – and applies to individuals traveling from West Africa, as well as those who may be exposed in the United States. Health care workers treating Ebola patients in the U.S. are considered low risk if they have worn proper personal protective equipment with no known breaches in infection control. For more, see the factsheet at: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/fs1027-monitoring-symptoms-controlling-movement.html. Earlier this week, the AHA, American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association released a joint statement on the CDC’s interim guidance for monitoring and moving persons with potential Ebola virus exposure. To read the statement, click here. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will host an Ebola preparedness call focused on protecting health care worker health and safety on Friday, Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. ET. The call will feature officials from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, CDC, Department of Transportation and HHS Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs. HHS suggests that hospital executives, hospital emergency management directors and/or safety officers participate in the call. To access the call, dial 800-857-0664. The participant passcode is 8614132.
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CMS announces funding for learning networks to transform clinical practice |
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) recently announced the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative, which will provide up to $840 million over four years to help 150,000 clinicians improve patient outcomes and lower costs for Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program enrollees. Through a multi-pronged approach to technical assistance, the initiative will identify existing health care delivery models that work and rapidly spread these models to other health care providers and clinicians, the agency said. As part of the initiative, CMS expects to award up to $670 million to networks formed by hospital and health systems, large group practices and others to help clinician practices transform; and up to $30 million to networks formed by professional and other organizations to support the transformation networks and practices. Letters of Intent to apply for the network cooperative agreements are due Nov. 20, and applications are due Jan. 6. For more information, see the CMS factsheet. |
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AMA issues guidance to help physicians comply with DEA rule |
The American Medical Association (AMA) recently issued a factsheet to help physicians prepare to comply with a Drug Enforcement Administration final rule affecting prescriptions for hydrocodone combination products (HCPs) that became effective Oct. 6. The rule reschedules HCPs under the Controlled Substances Act, imposing stricter regulatory controls and sanctions on people who handle or propose to handle them. “The AMA is strongly committed to combating prescription drug abuse and diversion while at the same time preserving patient access to medically necessary treatments for pain,” said AMA President Robert Wah, MD. “This new factsheet explains how new regulatory changes impact both physicians and pharmacists, which will help ensure patients continue having access to the care they need under the new federal rule.” |
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Group practices, ACOs can preview PQRS quality data through Nov. 7 |
Group practices and accountable care organizations participating in the Physician Quality Reporting System group practice reporting option have until Nov. 7 to preview and report any errors in their 2013 quality measures before they are reported later this year on the Physician Compare website. Group practices that have not received instructions for previewing their data should email the Physician Compare Support Team at [email protected]. Accountable care organizations (ACOs) can preview their quality measure data using their 2013 ACO Quality Reports. For more information, visit www.cms.gov. |
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2015 Interprofessional Fellowship in Innovative Health Leadership |
This interprofessional fellowship is a cohort-based experience in health innovation leadership. Led by national leaders, the program includes four in-person immersions and monthly webinars. This unique program helps health professionals with executive responsibilities drive innovation in their organization. Graduates of the program improve outcomes by building innovation as a process and strengthen their organization’s capability to innovate. Applications for the fellowship will be accepted until Dec. 12, 2014 or capacity is reached. |
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More medical students choosing to pursue a dual MD/MBA degree |
A recent article from The Atlantic looks at the rise in dual MD/MBA degrees. The article notes that many of the greatest challenges in health care today are business related and those with dual degrees have an edge when it comes to hospital administration, where the pay is often higher than clinical practice. Over the past 20 years, the number of joint MD/MBA programs in the United States has grown from six to 65 with about 500 students currently enrolled in such programs. The dual degree may also be attracting more students to the specialty of primary care. The article says business-minded types often search for problems that need solving, and primary care gives them plenty of opportunity for that. Although the dual degree may not be for everyone, one medical resident quoted in the article feels some elements of management and leadership training need to be incorporated into the medical school curriculum. |
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Study finds majority of physicians feel overextended, at full capacity |
A majority of doctors (81 percent) feel they’re either overextended or at full capacity, according to a recent survey of over 20,000 physicians done by the Physicians Foundation. Fed up with this workload, 44 percent of physicians surveyed said they plan to take one or more steps that would reduce patient access to their services (cutting back on patients seen, working part-time, retiring). However, physicians are feeling more positive about their profession with 44 percent describing their morale and feelings about the current state of medicine as positive, an increase from 32 percent in 2012. If they had to do it all over again, more than 70 percent of physicians said they would while nearly half (49 percent) would recommend a career in medicine to their children. The findings are part of the Physician Foundation’s 2014 Survey of America’s Physicians: Practice Patterns and Perspectives. |
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Next PLF webinar to discuss physician-nurse dyads |
On Wednesday, November 12 beginning at 2 p.m. ET, the PLF will host an hour-long webinar titled, "Creating Exceptional Physician-Nurse Dyads: Using Collaborative Partnerships to Raise the Standard of Care and Improve the Overall Patient Experience." Presenters Alan J. Conrad, MD, a practicing primary care physician and medical director at Palomar Health in San Diego County, and Tracy Duberman, PhD, CEO and founder, The Leadership Development Group, Inc., will share the story of one health system’s journey to creating collaborative partnerships through a dyad activation process that raised the standard of care and improved the overall patient experience.
The session will offer a case study focusing on Palomar Health’s journey through an applied physician leadership academy that included physicians, nurse leaders, and administrators to drive alignment and facilitate a team-based care approach. To register for this complimentary webinar, click here. |
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