News

On February 23, Qualis Health Analytic Principal Meghan Donohue will conduct a session for skilled nursing facility leaders at the Washington Health Care Association Winter Conference. In "Using Data to Drive Improvement," Meghan will discuss how nursing homes can succeed in the new era of Medicare value-based purchasing by using data to identify and address quality improvement opportunities.

If you’ll be at the CMS Quality Conference next week, we hope you’ll join us for two presentations: On Monday, Quality Improvement Consultant Jeff Smith will discuss how he and his colleagues used community connections to build a sustainable Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) in rural Idaho. His presentation is part of the "Reaching into Rural Communities with Partnerships and Data" session at 4:00 pm. On Tuesday at 9:45 am, we'll be at the Gallery Walk to present four posters about our ongoing work in Idaho and Washington to improve care for Medicare beneficiaries. If you won’t be in Baltimore, you can still follow the action by following us on Twitter. Qualis Health has been selected as an official Social Media Ambassador. We’ll be live tweeting highlights and insights from @QualisHealth. Be sure to use #CMSQualCon18 to participate in the conversation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity continues to be widespread in all states except Hawaii. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it’s not too late to get your flu shot. Go to vaccinefinder.org today to see the locations of vaccine providers in your area.

Applications for the Qualis Health Awards of Excellence in Healthcare Quality are due February 2, 2018. Every year, we recognize Idaho and Washington healthcare providers who have created better care through improvement. We welcome applications from all types of healthcare organizations, regardless of size or resources, and we want to hear from you! Be among the winners in 2018. Get more information or download an application today.

As a partner of the Alaska Medicaid Coordinated Care Initiative (AMCCI), Qualis Health provides in-person case management for people with complex care needs who are high emergency room utilizers. Our work with AMCCI, which has helped reduce costs, was included in the National Governors Association report, “Building Complex Care Programs: A Roadmap for States,” and cited in a December 5 USA Today article, “Study: States get big Medicaid savings from social services, outreach to sickest patients.”

Attention Idaho and Washington healthcare organizations: the 2018 Qualis Health Awards of Excellence in Healthcare Quality are open for submissions. We welcome applications from all types of healthcare groups. If you've worked to create better care and reduce costs through improvement, we want to celebrate your success. Download an application today!

We hope to see you at the National Association of Medicaid Directors Fall Conference on November 6–8 in Arlington, VA. Qualis Health’s Vice President of Consulting Services, Bud Beall, and Vice President of Care Management, Cara Robinson, will be on hand. Please stop by booth #39 and say hello.

The 2017 Alaska Medicaid Provider Educational Session is on Thursday, October 26th in Anchorage. During this no-cost conference, providers will receive practical information and advice about the Alaska Medicaid program and Qualis Health’s role. It’s presented by Qualis Health and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Health Care Services. Register today!

On October 5, Qualis Health Director of Practice Transformation Consulting Regina Neal will speak at the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers Annual Conference and Clinical Summit. Regina will discuss Qualis Health’s recent oral health integration initiative, including the models used, challenges encountered and successes achieved. Learn more about the conference Get our Oral Health Integration Implementation Guide

Providers and staff from behavioral health and primary care practices will convene in Tacoma, Washington, on September 25th for “Steering Toward Success: Achieving Value in Whole-Person Care.” This free conference from the Healthier Washington Practice Transformation Support Hub will offer best practices, strategies and the latest information on practice transformation from some of the state’s leading experts. We are also holding this event in Moses Lake on October 26th.

Quality Improvement Consultant Brent Schneider is lending his expertise to the Idaho Health Care Association this month. On September 19, he will lead the Continuous Quality Improvement module of the IHCA’s Nurse Management for SNF Training. This course is geared toward both experienced and novice nursing directors in long-term care facilities. Visit the IHCA website to learn more.

This first in a series of videos from the Healthier Washington Practice Transformation Support Hub tells the story of behavioral health integration at the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinics. Watch “Strategies for Success: Behavioral Health Integration into Primary Care at the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.” Learn more about the Healthier Washington Practice Transformation Support Hub and how it can help your practice.

There’s still time to register for our August 3rd webinar, “Notes from the Field: Lessons Learned in Behavioral Health Integration.” In this free, one-hour session, Attune Healthcare Partners Consultant Barbara Wall will share her experiences working with health plans, providers and behavioral health agencies to integrate behavioral and physical health in Oregon. Register today!

The Dimock Center, a Boston community health center that field tested Qualis Health’s Oral Health Delivery Framework, recently spoke to Boston Neighborhood News about its program offering children affordable access to dental care. Watch the video. Learn more about the Oral Health Delivery Framework.

Ross Howell, Qualis Health’s Program Manager for Healthy Hearts Northwest, recently spoke with two facilitators about what they’re seeing out in the field. Find out more about the trends emerging in Idaho and Washington clinics with this deeper dive. Read “5 Practice Trends as Observed by Washington and Idaho Coaches” Learn more about the Healthy Hearts Northwest project

Qualis Health’s Director of Practice Transformation Programs, Selena Bolotin, will present “Innovative In-Person Case Management for Medicaid High Utilizers” at the DecisionHealth Care Coordination Summit. In her May 3 session, Ms. Bolotin will discuss the lessons learned and outcomes for the Qualis Health Alaska Medicaid Coordinated Care Initiative (AMCCI) pilot program. The AMCCI provides in-person case management services to high-utilizing Medicaid members, many of whom have complex medical, behavioral and social needs. Learn more about the AMCCI Learn more about the Care Coordination Summit

Starting this month, Qualis Health’s 2017-2018 Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative (NHQCC) will help more than 200 nursing homes in Idaho and Washington perform better on quality measures and increase satisfaction of residents and staff through training, collaboration, coaching and other support. Find out more about the Qualis Health NHQCC.

Qualis Health is recruiting outpatient facilities such as primary care practices, emergency departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and urgent care clinics in Idaho and Washington for its Antimicrobial Stewardship in Outpatient Settings Program. Participants will receive free help with improving their antibiotic prescribing practices and meeting CDC’s Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship Guidelines. Interested? Find out more.

The Healthier Washington Practice Transformation Support Hub is partnering with the AIMS Center at the University of Washington to provide a free learning series on bi-directional physical and behavioral health integration. The series begins in April, and it's open to behavioral health agencies and primary care organizations located in Washington State. Get more information or register here.

On Thursday, March 16, Qualis Health will host a free webinar, “Community Coalition Drives Change through Use of Lean Methodology.” Joan Agee of St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Idaho, will share how community partners are using a Lean approach to reduce COPD readmissions and improve health services. Learn more about the webinar or sign up today!

Qualis Health will be exhibiting at the 2017 Northwest Rural Health Conference, held February 27–March 1 in Seattle. This annual event addresses varied facets of providing healthcare in rural settings including critical access hospitals, rural emergency medical services, rural health clinics, home health and other health organizations. We'd love to see you there. Please stop by the exhibit hall and say hello! Visit the Northwest Rural Health Conference website for more information.

Qualis Health Quality Improvement Consultant Aimee Ford will address members of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Puget Sound chapter on Thursday, February 23 and attendees of the Washington Health Care Association (WSHA) Winter Conference on Friday, February 24. At both events, Ms. Ford and Patricia Montgomery of the Washington State Department of Health will co-present “Preparing to Meet the Final Rule for Infection Prevention in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs).” Visit the APIC Puget Sound event webpage or the WHCA website for more information.

Attention Idaho and Washington State nursing homes! Enrollment is now open for Qualis Health’s 2017–2018 Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative. Join today and take advantage of our expertise, the structure to keep your efforts on track, and the encouragement and support of other participating homes across Idaho and Washington. Visit our Medicare website to sign up or get more information.

On Thursday, February 9, Qualis Health Medical Director for Quality and Safety Initiatives Sharon Eloranta will speak at a Washington State Hospital Association Safe Table. Dr. Eloranta will discuss the Care Transitions Assessment Tool, as well as new data on diabetes and readmissions. Get more information about the Readmissions Safe Table.