CMS announces new patient safety initiative, Compass HQIC and KHC to lead in Kansas
KHC is pleased to share that the Compass HQIC—of which KHC is a proud partner—has been selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a leader in the next phase of its hospital quality improvement and patient safety program. The Compass Hospital Quality Improvement Contractor (HQIC), led by the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative with its partners, will provide hospital quality improvement services as we build upon the achievements of the recently concluded Hospital Improvement Innovation Network.
Over the next four years, the Compass HQIC will serve more than 250 acute care hospitals in a four-state area—Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, and Mississippi—providing quality improvement assistance to small, rural, and critical access hospitals, as well as hospitals identified by CMS as requiring technical assistance. To date, nearly 80 Kansas hospitals have joined with KHC in the Compass Network and will begin improvement activities soon.
The Compass HQIC will use innovation and data-driven quality improvement interventions to help hospitals achieve CMS goals and ensure patient safety and quality of care. HQICs also will support efforts to help address needs in the areas of infection control, pandemic readiness and response, a concerted response to the opioid epidemic, and patient safety.
For more information about Compass HQIC and the new CMS initiative, contact Michele Clark, KHC Program Director,
KHC Monthly Webinar: Improve Anything in Six Meetings or Less
10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28
Register here
This month's session is for improvement leaders who are looking for an effective solution for improvement teams to implement change quickly. Stephanie Sobczak—project manager at UW Health in Madison, Wisconsin—will share a structured approach that marries elements of project management with established improvement methods. Stephanie will share meeting agenda templates designed to document standard work and establish clear, standardized expectations for approaching patient safety projects or other opportunities for improvement. As part of this presentation, those attending will receive a toolkit easily adapted for your own organization. The method is well suited for experienced quality leaders and those newer to improvement.
Application portal open for next distribution of COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds
On Oct. 5, the Department of Health and Human Services opened the application process for the latest $20 billion in CARES Act Provider Relief Funds. The application period remains open through Nov. 6. Applications are accepted here: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund
A large number of providers will be eligible for this Phase 3 General Distribution funding, including:
- Providers who previously received, rejected, or accepted a General Distribution Provider Relief Fund payment. Providers that have already received payments of approximately 2% of annual revenue from patient care may submit more information to become eligible for an additional payment.
- Behavioral health providers, including those that previously received funding and new providers.
- Health care providers that began practicing Jan. 1 through March 31, 2020. This includes Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, dentists, assisted living facilities, and behavioral health providers.
For eligible providers, this Phase 3 General Distribution is designed to be a payment of 2% of annual revenue from patient care for all applicants plus an add-on payment to account for revenue losses and expenses attributable to COVID-19.
The Health Resources and Services Administration recently hosted a webcast to provide additional information on this third round of funding. A recording is available here.
Surgeon General releases call to action on hypertension control
Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams recently issued a call to action urging Americans to recognize and address hypertension control as a national, public health priority. The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Control Hypertension provides strategies for those in health care and public health to address this costly and dangerous chronic health condition.
Awareness months for social promotion
There are several opportunities currently and coming up to help spread awareness of important issues in health care.
- October is #HealthLiteracyMonth—a time for organizations and individuals to place special focus on the importance of understandable health information. Individuals, teams, and organizations are encouraged to participate by identifying health literacy problems and solutions for your community, as well as by helping spread awareness of health literacy and its importance. A free handbook with guidance for doing so is available at www.healthliteracymonth.org. The CDC’s website contains helpful resources, including this year’s new definitions of health literacy as well as a video on personal, clinical, and organizational health literacy. It also lists training opportunities here.
- #KansasFightsFlu is an ongoing campaign to encourage health care providers and organizations to stress the importance of influenza immunization. There are resources and ready-made social media posts and wall posters via the Immunize Kansas Coalition website. You may also simply share the coalition’s posts via www.twitter.com/immkscoalition and www.facebook.com/ImmunizeKSCoalition.
- October 18–24 is Healthcare Quality Week, an opportunity to acknowledge the progress made by health care and quality professionals toward improving patient outcomes. Quality matters now more than ever and more health care professionals are being called upon to do this critical work. Use the hashtag #HQW2020 to share the work of your organization’s team members.
- October 24 is National Prescription Drug #TakeBackDay. Nearly 9.9 million Americans misuse prescription pain relievers, and over half of these drugs are either given, bought, or taken from a friend or relative, according to a 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. This day is intended to spur awareness of safe, convenient, and responsible ways to dispose of unused prescription drugs and educate the public about potential medication abuse. Resources for taking part are available here.
Upcoming Events
Sepsis Alliance Webinar: How Diagnostics Contribute to Defining Sepsis
Oct. 20
1:00 pm
Register here
Online event: KHA Convention and Trade Show
Oct. 21-23, 2020
More info here
NCTRC Telehealth Webinar, Part 1: Telehealth Technology Trends
Oct. 21
1:00 pm
Register here
NCTRC Telehealth Webinar, Part 2: Building Accessible Telehealth for Patients with Disabilities from the Ground Up
Oct. 26
1:00 pm
Register here
KHC Monthly Webinar
Oct. 28
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Register here
Sepsis Alliance Webinar: COVID-19 + Sepsis Management: How They Are Linked and What We Are Learning
Oct. 28
1:00 pm
Register here
Antimicrobial Resistance Fighter Coalition Webinar: What Happens When Disease Spreads Without Diagnosis
Nov. 5
8:00 am
Register here
KHC Monthly Webinar
Nov. 18
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Register here
CDC Webinar: Implementation of Antibiotic Stewardship Activities in Critical Access Hospitals
Nov. 18
2:00 pm
Register here
Antimicrobial Resistance Fighter Coalition Webinar: Responding to Difficult-to-Treat Infections—Role and Responsibilities of Governments, Researchers, Clinicians, Industry, and Patients
Nov. 19
8:00 am
Register here
Sepsis Alliance Webinar: Developing Systems for Rural Sepsis Care
Nov. 19
1:00 pm
CE credit available
Register here
KHC Monthly Webinar
Dec. 16
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Register here