AHA, CDC issue patient education resource on prescription opioids
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The American Hospital Association (AHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a one-page resource to help hospital patients who may be prescribed opioids before discharge discuss the risks and benefits of these medications with their health care provider. „Every day, hospitals see how misuse of and overdose from prescription opioids affects patients’ families, loved ones and communities,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. „We want patients to have open, honest conversations with their care providers about the best way to manage pain. The goal is to help patients manage their pain and continue to lead healthy, productive lives. We are pleased to work with the CDC to develop and share this new resource with hospitals and care providers across the country.” Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and co-chair of the House Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, and Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH), co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, applauded the tool. For more information on addressing the opioid abuse crisis, visit aha.org/behavioralhealth/opioids and cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html.
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ASPR issues Zika planning resources for health care providers, coalitions
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The Department of Health and Human Services’ Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response has issued resources to help health care providers and coalitions plan for a real or potential Zika virus outbreak. „A Zika outbreak is unlikely to result in large numbers of acutely ill patients needing simultaneous care, making surge planning for Zika unique from that of conventional disaster events, including those with an infectious disease component (e.g., pandemic influenza, Ebola),” the resource guide states. „In contrast, the known and suspected complications of Zika infection (including Guillain-Barré syndrome, microcephaly and other neurological disorders) are likely to disproportionately affect certain patient populations, most notably pregnant women and their developing fetuses. Treatment of these complications will likely require the participation of health care specialties and social services that may have limited experience with preparedness activities.” In addition to the guide, specific resources focus on planning for high-risk pregnancies and birth defects and supporting children with special health care needs.
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AHA report offers guidance to help hospitals strengthen behavioral health workforce
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A new report by the AHA offers information and guidance to help hospitals and health systems develop their behavioral health care workforce to meet future needs. Based on a literature review, the report looks at how hospitals and health systems are bridging the gap between the need for behavioral health care in their communities and a shortage of trained specialists. It also offers examples of how to integrate behavioral and physical health in new and innovative ways, and seven steps to guide and spur dialog among internal and external stakeholders on the issue. For more on the report, see the AHASTAT blog post by Pamela Thompson, AHA senior vice president and chief nursing officer.
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More mental health care covered by insurance, but disparities in treatment persist
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The share of mental health treatment expenditures financed by private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid increased from 44 percent in 1986 to 68 percent in 2014, according to a study published recently in Health Affairs. In contrast, the share of substance use disorder treatment financed by insurers was relatively unchanged over the period, increasing from 45 percent to 46 percent, the study found. The share of adults receiving mental health treatment increased from 12.6 percent to 14.6 percent between 2004 and 2013, while only 1.2 percent-1.3 percent of adults received substance use disorder treatment over the period. According to a separate study in the same issue, mental health treatment rates continued to increase in 2014, but racial and ethnic disparities in access to mental health services persist. Despite gains in health coverage across multiple racial/ethnic groups, treatment rates for substance use disorders did not increase. „This suggests that gains in insurance coverage alone are not likely to push forward meaningful reductions in mental health treatment disparities or increase consistently low overall substance use treatment rates,” the authors said.
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New implant approved for the treatment of opioid dependence
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In an effort to combat the opioid epidemic, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first buprenorphine implant for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. Called Probuphine, it is designed to provide a constant, low-level dose of buprenorphine for six months in patients who are already stable on low-to-moderate doses of other forms of buprenorphine, as part of a complete treatment program. In a press release, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said, „Opioid abuse and addiction have taken a devastating toll on American families. We must do everything we can to make new, innovative treatment options available that can help patients regain control over their lives. [This] approval provides the first-ever implantable option to support patients’ efforts to maintain treatment as part of their overall recovery program.”
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FDA simplifies form for physicians requesting patient access to investigational drugs
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a streamlined form for physicians to request expanded access to investigational drugs and biologics for patients with serious or immediately life-threatening diseases and no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy. The agency also issued instructions for completing the form, and guidance on when and how to request expanded access and how patients may be charged for investigational drugs. „The FDA has a long history of supporting patient access to investigational treatments and we hope the information released today will help health care professionals, patients and industry to more easily navigate the expanded access process and help patients who qualify to gain access to potentially life-saving investigational treatments,” said FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD.
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CMS: Certain Medicare ACOs can participate in new medical home model
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Primary care practices can participate in both the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) and Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) Plus model in certain circumstances, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said in an update to Frequently Asked Questions on the model. Practices in Tracks 1, 2 or 3 of the MSSP or considering those tracks may participate in the CPC Plus model if eligible, the agency said. Practices participating in the Accountable Care Organization Investment Model, Next Generation ACO Model or other shared savings programs may not participate in the CPC Plus model, CMS said. It plans to limit the number of CPC Plus practices in ACOs to 1,500.
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Register now: C-TAC National Summit, Sept. 20-21 in Washington, DC
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Each year, the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) hosts the National Summit on Advance Illness Care. The Summit brings together the Nation’s leaders who are committed to the vision that all people with advanced illness should receive high-quality, person-centered care.
This year’s Summit will be September 20-21, 2016 at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. Early bird registration is available until June 1, 2016. Sign up at www.ctacsummit.org.
The agenda is packed with the latest developments in emerging community and clinical community models, the evolving role of technology in care delivery, measures for the movement, payment reform, and legislative and regulatory reform.
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Impact of emotional intelligence and resiliency on health care performance focus of next PLF webinar
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Join the AHA’s Physician Leadership Forum on Thursday, June 23 beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET to learn about the the impact of emotional intelligence on high performing physician leaders.
In this webinar, presenters Larry McEvoy, MD, FACEP, Co-Founder of PracticingExcellence and an executive-in-residence at the Center for Creative Leadership, and Tracy Duberman, PhD, MPH, FACHE, President & CEO of The Leadership Development Group, will discuss the strategic impact of emotional intelligence and resilience in crafting high-value health care organizations and will review approaches to developing emotional intelligence and resiliency in physician leaders.
To register for this complimentary webinar, click here.
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FEATURED RESOURCE
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The State of the Behavioral Health Workforce: A Literature Review
For more resources, visit our website.
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The most popular article from our last issue:
NQF, CDC issue guide to promote appropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals
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