News and Updates for Healthcare Professionals

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed a free self-management support (SMS) quality improvement activity that can be implemented by an individual or groups of clinicians. The web-based Maintenance of Certification Part IV & Performance Improvement Continuing Medical Education (MOC Part IV & PI-CME) activity is publically available and can be customized by chronic conditions such as asthma, obesity, depression, diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and arthritis; making this activity useful to pediatric and adult patients. AHRQ's MOC Part IV & PI-CME medical recertification project enhances the ability of clinicians to help patients better manage chronic conditions. The data collection framework enable clinicians to develop and assess intervention impact of two SMS techniques (shared decision-making about prescription medications and talking about specific health goals). Read more and begin using AHRQ's free MOC Part IV & PI-CME medical recertification module.

For more information about AHRQs Practice Improvement efforts visit the National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research at http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/primary-care/index.html.

Probuphine will be implanted under the skin for 6 months to treat addiction

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New success stories from AHRQ’s patient and family engagement project, Guide to Improving Patient Safety in Primary Care Settings by Engaging Patients and Families, provide demonstrated experience for improving patient safety in primary care:  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center provided patients with access to their clinical notes, Bellin Health (Green Bay, WI) implemented a comprehensive model of team-based care in primary care leading to improved patient and provider satisfaction and First Street Family Health Center (Salida, CO) formed a patient and family advisory council that transformed the way the practice functions. While the patient engagement effort is underway, project components will be released over the next year to support primary care practices in their efforts to improve patient safety. Access all three success stories, and other resources for providers, practice staff and patients here, and learn more about AHRQ’s patient and family engagement in primary care effort at the project page. 

May 20, 2016

By: Susannah Fox, Chief Technology Officer of HHS

Every spring, our team in the HHS IDEA Lab gears up for our biggest event of the year: the Health Datapalooza. It’s an annual celebration of the power of data that was started by my predecessor, Todd Park, in 2010. This year, we were honored to hear from an extraordinary lineup of leaders from private industry, academia and the federal government, including Vice President Biden.

I thought I’d share excerpts from three of my colleagues’ speeches, to give people a sense of the scope and depth of the discussions.

Read More: Health Datapalooza: New Vistas

Study confirms and extends the evidence of benefit of physical activity on cancer risk.

Agency says risks outweigh benefits

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At the 5-year anniversary of the National Quality Strategy, progress is being made towards the three aims of the National Quality Strategy, to provide better, more affordable care for individuals and the community, according to the new 2015 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report and 5th Anniversary Update on the National Quality Strategy. For the first time, this year's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report and the National Quality Strategy Annual Progress Report are integrated, providing a comprehensive update on the Nation’s progress in improving health care access, quality, and disparities.

Key findings from the new report include:

• More people have health care coverage, have a usual place to go for medical care, and can more easily afford medical bills after the Affordable Care Act’s provisions have taken effect.
• More people had a usual place to go for medical care. The percentage of people with a usual place to go for medical care increased overall for Blacks and Hispanics. Hispanics showed the biggest gains in this measure, climbing from 77 percent in 2010 to 83 percent in the first half of 2015.
• The cost of health care coverage also became more affordable as fewer people overall reported having trouble paying medical bills within the past year. Low-income people saw the greatest benefit, and all racial and ethnic groups showed a decline in payment problems during this period.
• Quality of care is improving, particularly in hospitals and for measures that are being publicly reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. However, quality is still far from optimal overall, and disparities based on race/ethnicity and income continues to impact the care people receive.

To view the report and other related materials, go to: http://www.ahrq.gov/workingforquality/reports.htm.

Are you a health professional working with older adults? Your patients may be concerned about changes in their memory and thinking skills, and may worry about dementia disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. You can help.

Talking With Your Older Patient: A Clinician’s Handbook has information on cognitive problems to help you:

• Determine when to screen for cognitive impairment
• Convey findings about memory problems
• Communicate with a confused patient

Diabetes Medications for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: An Update