Building Your Medical Home with…Teamwork and Quality Improvement
Effective practice teams—especially those that involve partnering with families—can lead to improved quality of care. Learn more about building and sustaining a team in the AAP/MCHB Building Your Medical Home toolkit, available free online. Steps toward Better Teamwork highlights the importance of gaining and demonstrating leadership in practice, using ground rules for communication, and securing follow-up for improvement goals. To access this tool online, create a free user account and go to Quality Improvement Basics.
HealthyChildren.org Launches KidsDoc Symptom Checker
HealthyChildren.org now has an exciting new interactive tool to help parents evaluate their child's symptoms. Based on Pediatric Telephone Protocols, by Barton D. Schmitt, MD, FAAP, the KidsDoc Symptom Checker allows parents to choose from a wide range of symptoms, then follow the symptom decision chart to determine the appropriate action to take, whether it be home care or a trip to the emergency room. The tool is also available as an iPhone application called KidsDoc, providing the same expert advice whenever parents are on-the-go—for just $1.99!
PowerPoint Presentations from the AAP Healthy Child Care America Program
To better equip health care professionals with resources to educate colleagues and early education and child care professionals, Healthy Child Care America features a new PowerPoint presentation in each issue of their e-Newsletter. Each presentation focuses on a different topic and can be customized to meet your needs. The June issue of their e-Newsletter featured a presentation on child care health consultation. These resources are available to help you educate others on the definition and benefits of health consultation, and how pediatricians can be health consultants too. In addition, a general presentation on the AAP Healthy Child Care America program is available.
Message from HRSA, CMS, and the ONC Regarding the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program Final Rule
On July 13th, the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program Final Rule—often referred to as the Meaningful Use rule—was released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The rule provides guidelines for eligible health professionals and hospitals to adopt and meaningfully use certified electronic health record technology to help improve the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare services. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) recognize this transformational opportunity to improve our healthcare delivery system. The leadership of HRSA, CMS and ONC collaborated closely on the implementation of the health IT provisions of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. Collectively these provisions are referred to as the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Several resources are available to help guide implementing these guidelines including:
- Regional Extension Centers
HRSA, CMS and ONC offer a multitude of resources for HRSA grantees. ONC has established sixty health information technology Regional Extension Centers (RECs) that offer technical assistance, guidance, and information on best practices to support and accelerate health care providers’ efforts to become meaningful users of electronic health records (EHR). Under the state Cooperative Agreements of the HITECH Act, RECs serve as independent resources to specifically help your organization successfully implement health information technology.
- Enhanced Matching Funds to State Medicaid Agencies
CMS is also providing enhanced matching funds to state Medicaid agencies to support reasonable, approvable expenses related to providing oversight, administering payments, and the promotion of EHRs and health information exchange. It is important to note that this program is voluntary for states and each state’s timeline may be different. To get engaged in their planning process, and for questions related to the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, contact your state Medicaid agency.
- Health Center Controlled Networks
Additionally, in 1993, HRSA established Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) to promote the use of health information technology by providing management, financial, technology and clinical support services to HRSA grantees. For other resources including downloadable toolkits, guides and reference tools to assist in the adoption and implementation of EHRs, click here.
- The CMS ‘Meaningful Use’ Rule, the ONC EHR Standards and Certification Rule and How They Affect the Safety Net Community and HRSA Grantees Webinar
On July 23rd, a Webinar was held by HRSA/CMS/ONC titled The CMS ‘Meaningful Use’ Rule, the ONC EHR Standards and Certification Rule and How They Affect the Safety Net Community and HRSA Grantees. This webinar will be placed on the HRSA’s YouTube channel for replay. Additional HRSA webinars/conference calls will be held during August and September.
AAP Resources: Medicaid Meaningful Use
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have released the final regulations detailing how healthcare providers and hospitals can qualify to receive the incentive payments available for meaningful use of health information technology. AAP staff has reviewed the regulation and have developed a series of resources to help guide pediatricians in complying with the requirements of "meaningful use." Additional questions regarding the information in these resources can be directed to Jennifer Mansour (800/433-9016, ext 4229 or jmansour@aap.org) or Beki Marshall (800/433-9016, ext 4089 or bmarshall@aap.org).
Medicaid Strategies to Support High-Volume, High-Opportunity Primary Care Practices
Two recent technical assistance briefs, issued by the Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc (CHCS), describe how Medicaid can support improvements in chronic care in small, primary care practices based on current pilot projects in four states. Discussion focuses on Medicaid levers for improving care delivery, including support for "meaningful use" of health information technology to help practices prepare for Medicaid electronic health record incentives under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
NCQA and HIMSS Fact Sheet on the Patient-Centered Medical Home
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) HIMSS have prepared a fact sheet entitled Leveraging Health IT to Achieve Ambulatory Quality: The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) 
for practices interested in becoming recognized patient-centered medical homes. This fact sheet provides an informational overview of PCMH from the healthcare practice viewpoint and highlights the beneficial use of health IT and how health IT helps practices in the function of PCMH.
HHS Launches New Consumer-Friendly Web site on Health Reform
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently launched a new Web site, HealthCare.gov, designed to help consumers understand the new health reform law, learn more about insurance options, learn about prevention, and compare health care quality. It is the first Web site to collect both public and private health insurance options across the nation in a single place. In addition to providing coverage scenarios based on individual circumstances, it also highlights the issues and benefits of the new law for providers.
New Policy Statement on Medical Home from the Academic Pediatric Association
The Academic Pediatric Association (APA) has recently released a new policy statement—The Family-Centered Medical Home: Specific Considerations for Child Health Research and Policy. The statement addresses the similarities and differences in the medical home concept between the pediatric and adult models for care that should be considered when determining how child-relevant research and policy related to the medical home should be promoted.
New Policy Brief on Medical Homes & Childhood Asthma
A new policy brief from the George Washington University Department of Health Policy—The Affordable Care Act, Medical Homes and Childhood Asthma: A Key Opportunity for Progress —focuses on how the medical home model facilitates comprehensive, patient-centered care by fostering partnerships among and between patients and their providers, including primary care doctors, pediatricians, specialists and emergency service providers. This brief includes information about the opportunities provided by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to improve childhood asthma outcomes in the context of the medical home, recommendations for HHS as they implement the law, and key considerations for creating high-quality medical homes for all children with asthma.
Study: Positive Impact of Family Presence During Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Rounds
A study, published in Pediatrics, illustrates how at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia bedside rounds with families have been conducted since 1998. This observational study to determine the impact of family presence during PICU rounds examined not only family satisfaction, but also resident teaching and length of rounds. Following the observational part of the study, family members and residents completed surveys. Results showed that 98% of the family members liked being present at rounds, 85% of residents preferred family members to be present for rounds and agreed that communication and patient care improved with family presence, and new information was discovered from the family 46% of the time when family members were present in rounds. The study revealed that-despite the concern that many physicians express, there was no increase in the time spent with each patient when family members were present during rounds, but residents often think that teaching is decreased when families are present.
Source: Aronson PL, Yau J, Helfaer MA, Morrison W. Impact of Family Presence During Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Rounds on the Family and Medical Team. Pediatrics. 2009:124(4):1119-1125.
Mathematica Policy Research Brief: Medical Homes: Will They Improve Primary Care?
The sixth brief in a series from Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. titled Medical Homes: Will They Improve Primary Care looks at federal and state efforts to establish medical homes and notes considerations for policymakers seeking to improve access to services and the quality of care.
Nominations for 2011 Yes I Can! Awards Now Open
Deadline: October 22
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Yes I Can! awards honor students with disabilities who have excelled. Awards are given in nine categories and every student nominated receives a certificate of achievement.
For a more detailed listing of funding opportunities, click here.
Medical Home Implementation: A Five-Part CME Series Now Available!
Looking for professional continuing medical education (CME) courses online? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Center for Medical Home Implementation is proud to offer child health professionals with practical strategies for implementing medical home in practice access to continuing medical education courses through the Training section of the National Center Web site. The AAP designates each series of this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
Simply click on the links below to register and earn CME credit at your convenience!
Webinar: Strategies to Become a Sustainable Community Health Care Program
August 11, 2010 — 1 to 2:30pm (CDT)
This webinar is intended to provide participants with the basic dimensions of foundation grant making and an overview of applying for a foundation award. You will hear first-hand from a former Healthy Tomorrows grantee about strategies to continue your project after your grant funding has ended, and learn how the Department of Health Human Services Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships serves as a resource for faith-based and community-based health organizations.
Webinar: Applying Patient- and Family-Centered Practices in Ambulatory Care: Successful Approaches in Patient-Centered Medical Home, Self-Management Support Initiatives
August 24, 2010 — 1 to 2:30pm (EDT)
Registration Coming Soon (Available for a fee at registration)
Attendees of this webinar , sponsored by the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care, will learn about current innovations in primary care and the medical home. Participants will explore strategies for addressing the special challenges in advancing the practice of patient- and family-centered care in primary care settings. Strategies and tools for partnering with patients and families to redesign and improve primary care will be provided; tips regarding how to help facilitate collaborative self-management support and patient-centered medical home practice transformation will be highlighted.
AAP Pediatric Coding Webinar Series
Learn how to simplify coding and billing—and expedite payment—with pediatric-specific insights, tips, and strategies from leading pediatric coding experts. The AAP pediatric coding webinar series includes six 1-hour live events filled with up-to-the-minute information and exclusive insights. Faculty will help you find solutions to meet complex coding and billing challenges. These events are available for a fee at registration and are open to physicians, care providers, coders, and practice management staff.
- The Benefits of Smart Coding - September 14 – 12 to 1pm (CT)
Session 2 Common Pediatric Office Procedures and Modifiers
- Don't Risk Denials! Keep Up to Date! - November 18 – 12 to 1pm (CT)
Session 3 New/Revised CPT and ICD-9 Codes for 2011)
NIQIE 2010: Mastering Continuous Performance Improvement
September 12-14 - Chicago, IL
This dynamic, hands‐on workshop presented by the National Institute for Quality Improvement and Education (NIQIE) is designed for those planning performance improvement activities that meet criteria for ABMS Maintenance of Certification Part IV and Performance Improvement Continuing Medical Education (CME). In order to maximize benefit, organizational teams consisting of representatives from CME, quality improvement and information technology are encouraged to participate in this workshop together. For additional information or to register, click here.
AAP National Conference and Exhibition
October 2-5 - San Francisco, CA
The AAP National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) is the most comprehensive pediatric meeting in the world and represents the full spectrum of pediatric medical professionals and decision-makers, including pediatricians in general practice and subspecialties, young physicians, pediatric residents, and allied health professionals. Participation at this meeting offers unequalled opportunities to be present among other leaders in the health care industry. This year’s theme is Children’s Health – Climbing to New Heights – Walk Among the Giants of Pediatrics.
Special note: Visit the Pediatric Office of the Future at the AAP NCE for a first glimpse at some of the newest technology to enhance pediatric medical care. An AAP Council on Clinical Information Technology (COCIT) task force is putting a new spin on the exhibit by tying National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) requirements for the patient-centered medical home into four core areas of relevant functionality. This year’s exhibit will also feature a partnership with the National Center for Medical Home Implementation and will highlight its available tools, resources, and information. Come see what’s new including the Future Faces kid’s area, Future Pediatrics International, and Green Technology. Quadrants include: ARRA/HITECH/Meaningful Use; Pediatric Medical Home; Practice Management and Design; and Connectivity/HIE.
Hospitals and Communities Moving Forward with Patient- and Family-Centered Care Training Seminar
November 1-4 – Village of Pinehurst, NC
This intensive training seminar, hosted by the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care, includes leadership support from the University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, North Carolina Center for Hospital Quality and Patient Safety, and UNC Health Care System.
NCQA Annual National Policy Conference—Reform: High-Value Health Plans and Delivery Systems
Friday, December 3, 2010 - Washington, DC
This year’s National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Annual National Policy Conference will focus on what health reform will mean for quality improvement and related programs with a specific emphasis on health plans, medical homes, and accountable care organizations.
For a full listing of Upcoming Conferences and Webcasts, click here.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends as well as their communities from serious, life-threatening infections. In recognition of this month, the AAP has compiled a variety of useful information and resources to help spread the word of the importance of immunizations. For more information, click here.
AAP Works with NCQA on Changes for Patient-Centered Medical Home Tool
Over the course of the past year, the Academy and its National Center for Medical Home Implementation has been working with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) to update and enhance the Physician Practice Connections® - Patient-Centered Medical HomeTM (PPC-PCMH) recognition program. The purpose of PPC®-PCMHTM program is to assist physician practices with improving their function as medical homes, emphasizing the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care management processes.
Since the current version of the program was released in 2008, over 3100 physicians at over 600 practices have been recognized as medical homes by NCQA. Of this total, 518 pediatricians have received recognition. The program and its standards are in the process of being revised, and the updated recognition program is scheduled to be released in 2011. There have been several important proposed changes to the content of the PPC®-PCMHTM recognition program:
- Reduce the number of medical home standards from nine to six—access and continuity; identify and manage patient populations; plan and manage care; self-management support; track and coordinate care; and performance measurement and quality improvement
- Increase emphasis on patient-centered care and quality improvement
- Require practices to measure the patient experience of care
A small AAP workgroup, led by Xavier Sevilla, MD, FAAP, has submitted formal feedback to NCQA and will continue to do so as this program evolves. For more information about the NCQA PPC®-PCMHTM recognition program, contact Angela Tobin at atobin@aap.org.
Free Resource Available for Expecting and New Moms
Text4baby is a free mobile information service designed to promote maternal and child health. The AAP has partnered with the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) to provide this educational program that arms pregnant women and new moms with information they need to take care of their health and give their babies the best possible start in life. Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 will receive free SMS text messages each week, timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth.
Maryland Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Pilot
The Maryland Medical Home Program, established during the 2010 legislative session, is designed to improve patient health and elevate the role of the primary care provider in the health system. Maryland's PCMH pilot aims to engage 50 practices and 200 primary care providers in an innovative care management initiative.
Focus on State Screening Initiatives: North Carolina
It is no secret that North Carolina has been a national leader in delivering developmental and behavioral screening to children. In 2000, North Carolina was selected as one of the first four states to participate in the Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD) project, an initiative of the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) funded by the Commonwealth Fund. By 2007, the percentage of children ages 10 months through 5 years receiving standardized developmental and behavioral screening had reached the highest in the country: 47%.
At the outset of the ABCD program, Community Care of North Carolina – a network of physician leaders and local stakeholders from across the state – was formed. This team identified, assessed, and recommended standardized screening tools to practices that could be used during well-child visits. To ensure sustainability in community-based systems, North Carolina ABCD advocated for higher payment for well-child visits and developed resources to assist practices in coding these services appropriately. The tireless effort of the program’s policy champions eventually led to the state’s Medicaid program requiring standardized screening at 12-month, 24-month, and 30-month well-child visits. For more information on the North Carolina ABCD Project or to view available resources, click here.
State Snapshots Demonstrate Health Disparities
The Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health has posted new state snapshot reports that allow data users and child health advocates to demonstrate state variations and disparities in health and health system performance. The 2007 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) Child Health and System Performance Profile highlights health disparities among children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and children who have public insurance. The snapshots from the resource center include an overview of how children in each state compare to the nation on 21 key health status and system performance measures related to: chronic conditions, complexity of health service needs, health insurance, access to care, preventive care and medical home. For even more in-depth information on disparities for specific components of medical home system performance, view the state pages found via the Medical Home Performance Profile by Special Needs Status and Type of Insurance.
Renee Turchi, MD, FAAP Featured in AAP Member Spotlight
The National Center for Medical Home Implementation is proud to announce that Renee Turchi, MD, FAAP, is currently featured in the AAP Member Spotlight. Among her many accomplishments, Dr Turchi has been intimately involved in the Pennsylvania Medical Home Program (EPIC IC)—a statewide quality improvement program for pediatric practices—and currently serves as the director of this program. Additionally, she is member of the AAP Council on Children with Disabilities Executive Committee, the AAP Section on Young Physicians, and is chairperson of the Medical Home Resident Education Initiative Work Group of the National Center. To read more about Dr Turchi and her incredible accomplishments in the world of medical home, check out the AAP Member Spotlight .
Institute for Community Inclusion Receives MCHB Funding to Form A New National Center
The Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston has recently been awarded a three-year cooperative agreement from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau/Health Resources and Services Administration to establish a National Center for Community-Based Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. Its purpose is to make community-based services, such as neighborhood health centers, easy to locate and use for families of children and youth with special health care needs. A major priority for the center will be to disseminate products, materials and information to a wide range of individuals, including Title V directors, service providers, and families. Project partners include Children’s Hospital Boston, the Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights, and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. For additional information, contact Susan Foley, Principal Investigator, at Susan.Foley@umb.edu.
