Month: February 2023

Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Increasing Missouri’s Immunization Awareness and Vaccination Rates

February 6, 2023

Help the Missouri Immunization Coalition celebrate Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March) by recognizing those individuals within your organizations who have raised vaccination awareness or who have increased vaccination rates within their communities. “The Missouri Immunization Coalition’s mission is to promote immunizations, prevent disease, and protect all Missourians. It is only fitting that we acknowledge those individuals whose work best exemplifies MIC’s mission,” said Nicole Cope, MIC’s Executive Director.

During February’s Black History Month, MIC will recognize our African American colleagues. In March, MIC will recognize our female colleagues. All nominations must include the nominee’s name, title, email address, headshot, and a brief two paragraph story on how they have contributed to increasing vaccination rates or awareness within their community. Send your nominations to Paloma Martinez Crespo, MIC’s Communications Director, at pmartinezcrespo@moimmunize.com. MIC will recognize these individuals throughout the months of February and March on our social media platforms.

As we celebrate Black History month in February and Women’s History month in March, let us reflect upon the contributions, struggles and accomplishments of these past pioneers. Moreover, let us recognize the additional work that must be done, and the dreams not yet fully realized.

Celebrate these two particularly important months with us. Please send your nominations today.

Now Available! Monthly MBQIP – February 2023

February 6, 2023

Now Available! MBQIP Monthly – February 2023

MBQIP Monthly is an e-newsletter that highlights current information about the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) and provides critical access hospitals (CAHs) information and support for quality reporting and improvement. MBQIP Monthly is produced through the Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance program by Stratis Health.

February 2023 content:

  • CAHs Can! National Rural Virtual Quality Improvement Mentor Profile Series: Linda Webb
  • Data: CAHs Measure Up – EDTC Measure Reporting Trends
  • Tips: Robyn Quips – MBQIP Measure Updates
  • Tools and Resources – Helping CAHs succeed in Quality Reporting & Improvement

Reminder! MBQIP Data Reporting Reminders – February 2023
Quality data reporting for critical access hospitals, including upcoming data submission deadlines, corresponding collection time periods, and submission tools.

Request for Feedback! Measures Under Consideration for MBQIP (2023) – The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) is seeking feedback regarding 10 measures under consideration for inclusion in MBQIP. The resource linked above includes a summary of the 10 measures and the link to an electronic feedback form, which will be open through Tuesday, February 28. All interested parties are encouraged to provide input.

Upcoming Office Hours!  Ask Robyn – Quarterly Open Office Hour Call for Data Abstractors | Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CT Register
Sometimes it just helps to talk to someone! Quality Reporting Specialist Robyn Carlson offers open office hour calls to discuss your MBQIP abstraction questions. Sessions are free of charge, but registration is required. For more information about the Ask Robyn calls, contact Robyn Carlson (rcarlson@stratishealth.org).

If you have MBQIP questions, please contact tasc@ruralcenter.org.

Forecasted FY23 Nursing Workforce Programs

February 6, 2023

Forecasted FY23 Nursing Workforce Programs

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) would like to share the Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) FY23 Forecasted Nursing Workforce programs listed below.

Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Program

  • Purpose: Increases the number of primary care nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives providing primary care services, mental health and substance use disorder care, and/or maternal health care.
  • Anticipated FY 2023 Funding – $34,828,907
  • Who is Eligible:
  • Accredited schools of nursing,
  • Nursing centers,
  • Academic health centers,
  • State or local governments,
  • Other private or public nonprofit entities -Domestic and community-based organizations -Tribes and Tribal organizations

Advanced Nursing Education Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship Program (ANE-NPRF)

  • Purpose: Prepares new Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to effectively provide primary care by supporting the establishment, expansion and/or enhancement of existing community-based Nurse Practitioner residency and fellowship training programs that are accredited or in the accreditation process.
  • Anticipated FY 2023 Funding: $30,012,988
  • Who is Eligible:
  • Accredited schools of nursing, nurse-managed health clinics/centers, academic health centers, state or local governments and other private nonprofit, or public entities
  • Domestic and community-based organizations
  • Tribes and Tribal organizations

Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)

  • Purpose: Increases the number of qualified nursing faculty nationwide.
  • Anticipated FY 2023 Funding: $26,500,000
  • Who is Eligible?
  • Accredited schools of nursing with advanced nursing programs
  • Tribes and Tribal organizations

Nurse Anesthetist Training (NAT) Program

  • Purpose: Increases the supply and distribution of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).
  • Anticipated FY 2023 Funding: $2,250,000
  • Who is Eligible?
  • Accredited schools of nursing,
  • Nursing centers,
  • Academic health centers,
  • State or local governments,
  • Other private or public nonprofit entities
  • Tribes and Tribal organizations

Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention-Pathway to Registered Nurse Program (NEPQR-PRNP)

  • Purpose: Strengthens nursing workforce capacity to improve access to care and health equity through the development and implementation of bridge programs.
  • Anticipated FY 2023 Funding: $8,900,000
  • Who is Eligible?
  • Accredited schools of nursing, Health care facilities, or a partnership of such a school and facility.
  • Tribes and Tribal organizations

Sign up for E-mail notifications: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USHHSHRSA/subscriber/new?qsp=HRSA-

Apply for a Grant: https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant

HRSA Funding Opportunities: https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding

Forecasted HRSA Funding Opportunities: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=HRSA,%20forecast

CDC Science Brief – Mpox Brief

February 3, 2023

CDC Science Brief – Mpox Brief

Today, CDC released an updated Science Brief: Detection and Transmission of Mpox Virus. These updates incorporate findings from a growing body of scientific evidence that now show some people can spread mpox virus to others from one to four days before symptoms of mpox appear. This is known as presymptomatic spread. There is currently no evidence showing that people who never develop symptoms have spread mpox virus to someone else.

During the current outbreak, the most common way mpox has spread from person to person is through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids, especially during sexual contact. People infected with mpox virus may be able to spread mpox virus to others for up to two weeks after becoming ill.

In the United States, mpox cases have declined, but it’s still important for people who are eligible to get vaccinated to prevent future cases, especially people in communities disproportionally affected by mpox. Vaccination is an important tool to protect people from mpox and stop the spread of mpox. People who are eligible for mpox vaccination should get two doses for the best protection. The second dose should be given four weeks after the first dose.

Science Brief

How mpox spreads

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

February 3, 2023

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care is now accepting applications for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). This program awards Missouri Primary Care Physicians, Dentists, and Psychiatrists funds to apply toward their educational debt. Up to $50,000 for a 2-year Service Obligation.

Apply Electronically January 1 – March 1, 2023

For more information please contact the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC)

Phone: (573) 751-6441 or email: DHSS.LoanRepayment@health.mo.gov

USDA Launches Rural Data Gateway to Strengthen Partnerships and Expand Access to Resources for People in Rural America

February 3, 2023

USDA Launches Rural Data Gateway to Strengthen Partnerships and Expand Access to Resources for People in Rural America

New Resource Makes It Easier for People to Access Data on USDA-funded Projects in Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today unveiled the Rural Data Gateway, a new resource to make the Department’s data for rural projects easier to access for its partners and for people living in rural communities.

The Rural Data Gateway will help USDA better target resources to the people who need them most in rural places. It also will help the Department be a stronger partner to rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and other stakeholders.

“The Biden-Harris Administration knows that transparency is important for a free government,” Torres Small said. “It also drives innovation, accountability and more equitable outcomes for rural people everywhere. The Rural Data Gateway will highlight places where USDA has expanded access to capital for people in rural communities who need it most. It will demonstrate how Rural Development (RD) funds are being used across rural America. It will help business owners, farmers and ranchers better understand where RD resources have helped to modernize infrastructure and create economic prosperity. It will help rural people see where investments are being made to expand or improve access to health care, high-speed internet, and safe drinking water in their communities, and much more.”

To learn more, read the full news release.

NRHA Webinar – Nursing Labor Update: View from the Mountaintops

February 2, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Nursing Labor Update: View from the Mountaintops

Wednesday, Feb 22, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Michelle Hehman, MSN, RN, 15+ years of acute hospital experience and former nurse manager of Emergency Services, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and Jessica Flege, BSN, RN, CMSRN, 10 years of acute care management and certified Medical Surgical Nurse, will discuss the trajectory of the nursing industry and the impact that it is expected to have on staffing, as well as insight into how flexible staffing solutions can help to maintain optimal nurse-patient ratios.

Learning objectives:

  • An overview of the U.S. Nursing workforce, impactful milestones, and the ‘Silver Tsunami’
  • The devastating effects that short staffing has on every hospital
  • Sustainable solutions for delivering optimal nurse staffing
  • How rural hospitals can benefit from flexible staffing solutions

Register

NRHA Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, a Transitional Care Model

February 2, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, a Transitional Care Model

Thursday, Feb 16, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Allevant, a joint venture between Mayo Clinic and Select Medical, helps Critical Access Hospitals by developing post-acute Transitional Care programs using available Swing Beds. Focused on helping patients transition to their highest level of independence, Transitional Care is a program that involves the patient and family, makes available the full resources of the Critical Access Hospital and focuses on measured outcomes and evidence-based processes to ensure patients get the best care possible.

Allevant has supported approximately 100 Critical Access Hospitals across 22 states, including independent and part of health systems. Our clients have cared for over 12,000 patients representing more than 158,000 swing bed days.

With a strong focus on quality, outcomes, and growth, our clients saw an average growth in swing bed days of 55% by the second year. 64% of patients were categorized as complex medical or complex surgical, a growing patient population, and only 7% of Transitional Care patients were discharged directly back to acute care during a program stay of less than 30 days. 76% of patients were discharged from Transitional Care back to independence. The average patient rating was 4.83 out of 5 when asked if patients would “recommend the program to others”.

Register

 

NRHA Webinar – New Year, New Opportunities in Accountable Care

February 2, 2023

NRHA Webinar – New Year, New Opportunities in Accountable Care

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has continued to hold steadfast on its commitment to have all Medicare beneficiaries in an accountable care relationship by 2030.

As healthcare leaders refresh their strategic priorities in the new year, rural health systems and providers can take advantage of new and existing opportunities in value-based payment to accelerate their path to financial sustainability.

Future and former ACO participants are invited to participate in this interactive webinar, featuring Tim Putnam, President of Rural Health Consulting, Medical University of South Carolina, Kathy Lee, Director of Population Health, Coryell Memorial Hospital, Steve Barnett, President & CEO, McKenzie Health System, and Tim Gronniger, Chief Value-Based Solutions Officer, Signify Health, to learn how they can align with CMS and improve cost savings and quality outcomes for their patient population.

Presenters will discuss new financial incentives, including advance funding options available for certain rural providers. Attendees will also hear from former ACO Investment Model participants who successfully used upfront funding to achieve sustainable success in the Medicare Shared Savings Program

Learning Objectives:

  • Review new opportunities in accountable care, including advance payment options available to certain rural providers.
  • Discuss how rural organizations can use tailored operational, technological, and care management capabilities that meet them where they’re at in their value-based journey.
  • Hear from rural providers who have successfully leveraged advance funding to earn sustainable savings in the Medicare Shared Savings Program and expand their value-based portfolio

Register

National Rural Health Resource Center – Population Health Toolkit

February 1, 2023

National Rural Health Resource Center – Population Health Toolkit

The Population Health Toolkit brings together tools and information to support improving your awareness as your organization journeys into population health management.

Resources in the toolkit include:

  • Putting Data to Use
  • Population Health Readiness Assessment
  • Leadership
  • Understanding Value-Based Models
  • Strategic Planning Resources
  • Data Collection, Management, and Analysis
  • Quality, Operations, and Processes Resources
  • Resources to learn more about identifying population health partners
  • Workforce and Culture
  • Outcomes and Impact

Click Here to Learn More