Care Transitions eNewsletter
February 2017 ● Volume 2, Issue 2

 

IN THIS ISSUE

 

February is American Heart Month

 

Upcoming Events

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Webinar: Target: BP – A National Initiative to Improve Blood Pressure Control 
Monday, February 13, 2017 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
 
​Sepsis Awareness Training: A Train-the-Trainer Approach
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 | 9:00 am – 12:15 pm
Charleston, SC
Register Now!
 

 

 

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This material was prepared by the Atlantic Quality Innovation Network (AQIN), the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for New York State, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 11SOW-AQINSC-TskC3-17-03
February is American Heart Month
 
Chronic heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations and hospital readmissions. A recent study of CMS nationwide readmission data linked heart failure to 6.7% of all 30-day readmissions, the second highest percentage only behind sepsis. The estimated average cost per heart failure readmission is $9,051. That adds up! For American Heart Month, consider things you can do to better manage your heart failure patients and identify opportunities for improvement to keep heart failure patients from coming back to the hospital. Here are five strategies for reducing readmissions:
  • Improve communication among providers including the hospital, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation programs, and home health and meet with them regularly
  • Identify at-risk patients using a risk assessment on admission
  • Review your discharge process and the information exchanged between providers and look for opportunities to improve the dissemination process
  • Follow-up with the patient after discharge either with a phone call follow up program or a home visit
  • Ensure the patient has an appointment scheduled with their primary care within seven days
The American Heart Association has many strategies and clinical tools including a readmission checklist, a risk calculator, and a telephone follow-up form to help you focus on reducing readmissions for heart failure patients. Check them out on their website.   
 

 

Upcoming Events

 
Webinar: Target: BP – A National Initiative to Improve Blood Pressure Control 
Monday, February 13, 2017
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
 
Target: BP is a national collaboration between the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association to reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes by urging medical practices, health service organizations, and patients to prioritize blood pressure control. The program will empower hospitals, physicians, and care teams to reduce blood pressure to a goal of lower than 140/90 mm Hg for each adult patient to improve health outcomes. Attend this webinar to learn more about this national initiative and the tools and resources that are available to your practice. 

 

Sepsis Awareness Training: A Train-the-Trainer Approach
Wednesday, February 22, 2017

9:00 am – 12:15 pm
Charleston, SC
Register Now!

According to the CDC, sepsis begins outside of the hospital for nearly 80% of patients; which is why training post-acute care providers on the early warning signs and symptoms of sepsis is so important to those patients getting the help they need quickly. Register now to attend this train-the-trainer learning sessions to:

  • Recognize sepsis as a medical emergency
  • Identify early signs and symptoms of sepsis
  • Recognize preventative measures
  • Educate others in your facility on sepsis awareness

This training is open to nurses, administrators, education coordinators, consultant pharmacists, transitional care staff, and others who work in nursing homes, home health agencies, hospitals, and community settings. CNE will be offered pending approval.

 

Registration is free and pre-registration is required. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the session begins at 9:30 a.m. For additional information and questions, please e-mail Sarah Banyai or call her at 803-212-7521.

 

South Carolina American Case Managers Association Conference
March 9-10, 2017
Hilton Head, SC

 

The cancelled SC ACMA Fall conference has been rescheduled for March 9th & 10th, 2017 at the Marriott Resort and Spa in Hilton Head, SC. If you had registered for the Fall Conference in October 2016, that registration will transfer to the new dates. Mark your calendars for March 9/10, 2017 and hope to see you there. For more information, visit SC ACMA's website.

 

2017 Advanced Illness Management Summit
March 29, 2017
Chapel Hill, NC

 

Join the Carolinas Center in Chapel Hill for this one-day, three-state summit (formerly the Palliative Care Symposium). Check out their website to register, view the agenda, or get more information.

 

Southeast Physician Advisor Symposium
April 26-28, 2017
Greenville, SC
More Information