Resources and Links

We regularly comb the Internet to find resources that promote best practices in health center operations and administration, combat professional isolation and keep health center staff informed about issues that impact their work. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to keep updated or simply check this page on a regular basis.

Receipt of Diabetes Preventive Care Among Safety Net Patients Associated with Differing Levels of Insurance Coverage

This study used electronic health records from 50 health centers in Oregon to determine if limited or no insurance correlated with receiving four different preventive tests for diabetes patients. The study found that patients with no or interrupted coverage were less likely to receive the recommended preventive tests. Download the full article, published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine January-February 2012 issue.

National Network of Libraries of Medicine- Bringing Health Information to the Community blog

This blog posts information relevant to public and community health. Recent posts include: NIH study shows HIV-exposed children at high risk of language delay and Getting Patients to Take Charge of their Health. Find the BHIC blog here.

How to Budget for a Cloud-Based EMR system

A recent article in amednews.com, HIT consultant Matthew Grob gives pointers for budgeting for a cloud-based EMR system. A few of the most commonly overlooked costs are: training, conversion from paper (i.e. scanning documents), and start-up fees. Read the full article here.

Health Center Terminology Tip Sheet

In order to promote consistency among National Cooperative Agreement recipients, this tip sheet was developed to clarify commonly used health center terms. For example, while FQHC and Health Center are often used interchangeabley, they actually have different meanings in the health center program. Download the tip sheet here.

Trends in Quality During Medical Home Transformation

This article from the Annals of Family Medicine describes the changes that took place while a group of primary care clinics in Minnesota transformed into level III patient-centered medical homes. The study focuses on changes in technical quality and patient experience. Find the full article here.

County Health Rankings

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin, Population Health Institute teamed up to create countyhealthrankings.org. This website ranks each state's counties according to different health factors and health outcomes. You can even compare different counties within the same state. Not only is this great for informational purposes, but the website also includes ideas on how to take action with the information provided.

Determining Health Benefit Designs to be Offered on a State Health Insurance Exchange

The Massachusetts insurance exchange has three major parts: subsidized individual, unsubsidized individual, and unsubsidized small group insurance. This installment of the "Health Reform Toolkit Series- Resources from the Massachusetts Experience" focuses on Massachusetts' experience developing the part of the exchange that focuses on unsubsidized individual purchasers. There are many similarities in the unsubsidized and subsidized portions of the exchange, however additional policy considerations may apply. Find the full toolkit here.

"The Health Reform Toolkit Series" is by courtesy of the BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation, Health Connector, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

How does your built environment affect your health?

Multnomah County has an answer. The recently released "Built Environment Atlas" maps Multnomah County neighborhoods and their relation to food options, both healthy and unhealthy, and the proximity to areas that are friendly to physical activity- like parks and walking/running-friendly neighborhoods. These maps were created to show that our built environment can have a great affect on real health concerns, like obesity and mortality rates. Read an article about the obesity crisis in Oregon here and find the "Built Environment Atlas" here.

Oregon Breast & Cervical Cancer Program New Eligibility Guidelines

The Oregon Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) recently released new program eligibility guidelines for uninsured or low income women to receive cancer treatment covered by the Oregon Health Plan. The new guidelines now make it easier for women to enter the program and it is estimated that 12 more women a month will receive treatment. The new guidelines take effect January 1, 2012. Find an abbreviated version of the updates here and the full factsheet here. Check out the BCCP website for more information.

NCQA Distinction in Patient Experience Reporting

Using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) PCMH survey, health centers can earn the Distinction in Patient Experience from NCQA. This assessment covers several domains of care, including: access, information, communication, coordination of care, comprehensiveness, and self-management support and shared decision making. Collected data will be used to create benchmarks that will allow comparison across practices. See the full survey and required methodology here.

National Library of Medicine (NLM) Gallery of Mobile Apps and Sites

This website provides mobile versions of some of the most popular NLM websites and resources, including: PubMED (still in beta), MedlinePlus, Health Hotlines, and AIDSinfo mobile. Find these apps and more here.

Value-Based Payments and Providing Health Insurance for your Employees

A series of web-based resources and tools by LarsonAllen, LLP (an NWRPCA member). Among many resources are white papers on payment reform and value-based payments. Find the white papers here. You can also find a "health-reform calculator", which will help you find a cost-effective way to continue to provide health insurance to your employees under the new rules. Find the calculator here. You can also check out the Musings blog, where LarsonAllen employees discuss a myriad of topics from ACOs to revenues.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Learning Connection Web Page

The CDC Learning Connection webpage is broken down into the following six sections:
Featured E-Learning
All featured e-learning courses are open to the public and some provide continuing education credits. While some content is hosted by external websites, all content has been reviewed by the CDC and confirmed as accurate and follows CDC guidelines.

In the Spotlight
This section features learning products and resources related to the public health topic in the spotlight. The current topic is global immunizations. Again, all external site content is CDC reviewed and deemed accurate.

Resources
Includes a broad range of training and learning resources, arranged by topic. Topics include: Chronic Disease, Emergency Management, Environmental Health, and Nutrition, Obesity, and Physical Activity, among many others.

CDC Health E-Cards
Send an e-card to share CDC resources.

Up-Coming Live Events
Includes a list of upcoming webcasts of CDC grand rounds, conferences, and training opportunities.

Publications
A list of electronic CDC publications, including Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal and the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Find the CDC Learning Connection Website Here.

Comparison Chart of the HRSA Accreditation and Patient Centered Medical Health Home (PCMHH) Initiatives

This comparison chart informs health centers of the survey services available under HRSA's Accreditation contract with the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Care and The Joint Commission, and PCMHH contract with the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Find it on the right hand side of the following web-page:
http://bphc.hrsa.gov/policiesregulations/accreditation.html

BPHC Office of Training and Technical Coordination Announces Changes to Website

New features include: an FAQs section, which will be updated on a regular basis and a grantee technical assistance sessions catalog, which is an archive of past web-based technical assistance sessions. The BPHC website now has a "Trainings" page where grantees can find past and upcoming training opportunities. All of this can be found on the BPHC website under the technical assistance tab.

Community Health Center CHroniCles Website Launched

The Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy at George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, in a special partnership with RCHN Community Health Foundation, launched the CHroniCles website. This project is dedicated to telling the unique history of Community Health Centers and the impact they have on the people in their community. Go to: http://www.chcchronicles.org/ to see the site!

PCMH Video by Emmi Solutions

A easy-to-understand video, less than five minutes long, that explains what PCMH is and how it works by Emmi Solutions. A great tool for providers to pass along to patients to explain the changes happening with PCMH implementation. Available in English and Spanish. Find it here.

University of Cincinnati Department of Environmental Health Offering Free Pediatric Environmental Health CME Module Online

This module, designed for physicians, offers up to 2 CME credits. At the end of the course, participants will be able to discuss concepts of environmental health, describe health effects associated with environmental toxicants, and incorporate elements of an environmental history into practice. Sign up for the course via the CARES Air Pollution Education website.

The following resources from the National Environmental Education Foundation are supplements to the above course.
Pediatric Environmental History Form
Environmental Management of Pediatric Asthma: Guidelines for Health Care Providers
Environmental History Form for Pediatric Asthma Patient
Resources for Health Care Providers

HRSA Health IT Toolbox

HRSAs Office of Health Information Technology and Quality recently released a series of four HIT toolboxes to assist in implementing HIT in your practice.

Health IT Adoption Toolbox
Includes resources such as modules, community health center-specific information, and journal resources to assist with health IT implementation.

Rural Health IT Adoption Toolbox
Contains a range of resources for rural health providers as they consider implementing health IT.

Health IT for Children Toolbox
A compilation of health IT information targeted at children's health care needs, ranging from pediatric electronic medical records to children's health insurance coverage.

Health IT for HIV/AIDS Toolbox
Geared to Ryan White HIV/AIDS providers, the toolbox provides an overview and modules on health IT issues unique to HIV/AIDS. Offers information on potential sources to help HIV/AIDS providers fund health IT systems and qualify for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.

Find the toolboxes here.

National Library of Medicine launches MedlinePlus Connect and Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM)

The National Library of Medicine recently launched MedlinePlus Connect, a free service that allows health organizations and HIT providers to link patients' information to medlineplus.gov. This site brings together information from NIH, other federal agencies, and trusted health information providers, so that providers and patients can become partners in health. More information here...

Chemical Hazards and Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM) is a web-based resource that is downloadable in advance so that it is available in the event that the internet is unavailable. Following in the footsteps of the Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM), CHEMM presents a plan for medical providers to plan for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of mass-casualty incidents resulting from a chemical accident or attack. Find out more information here...

Public Health ACTion (PHACT) Campaign

The American Public Health Association (APHA) has released the PHACT Campaign Toolkit. APHA is encouraging everyone to use the toolkit during the August Congressional Recess to talk to members of Congress in their communities about the importance of keeping community health centers funded. The toolkit provides factsheets, tips and sample letters to the editor and op-ed pieces. Find the PHACT toolkit here!

The Treatment Research Institute Issues Results of the Forum on Integration of Use/Abuse into Primary Care

The White Paper contains numerous lessons learned from leaders who plunged head first into integrating substance abuse into primary care programs. The report is organized thematically, including: understanding views from the primary care perspective; the need for supports from sponsoring groups; leadership processes essential to success; need for workforce development and IT support; and why performance management and measurement is critical to success. Read the full report here...

Health Research Funding Website

Healthresearchfunding.org aims to connect researchers whose proposals have been peer-reviewed, but remain unfunded, with patient advocacy organizations and other funders. The hope is that worthwhile projects will be find financing from the groups that are most interested in a successful outcome.

IT Resources from CMS and Families USA

CMS recently released new guidance on the components of a good IT system, with updates on how to build Medicaid and CHIP into an IT system that complies with the Affordable Care Act. Find the full report here. Courtesy of Families USA, there is also a brief summary of the report, which you can find here. Families USA recently hosted a conference call, "Improving Information Technology (IT) & Enrollment Systems". Listen to the recording here.

Health Information Technology and Quality Newsletter

This newsletter from HRSA provides updates on upcoming trainings, activities and information about HIT and quality across the CHC community. Read more here.

US Government Accountability Office (GAO) Health Center Strategies Report

The GAO reports on the cost of the use of emergency rooms for non-urgent matters and the potential savings with the expansion of FQHCs. The report also discusses some of the strategies health centers are using to reduce non-urgent use of emergency rooms. Full report here...

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation US Health Care Poll

A recent poll conducted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that many Americans believe the US Health Care system deserves a "C", at best. Americans with an income of $50,000 per year are mostly likely to think the quality of their health care is below average. Why do so many Americans believe that their care is sub par? Find the answers here.

The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) Policy Brief: Enabling Services

The brief points out how critical enabling services are for successful chronic disease management and also makes policy recommendations. Read the full brief here.

FDA Bad Ad Campaign

The FDA tracks how drug companies advertise their products; however it is difficult for the FDA to monitor what takes place outside of formal advertising, like at the doctor's office or at industry events. Through the Bad Ad campaign, the FDA is asking Physicians to report any misleading information they come across in informal settings. Learn more about the Bad Ad Campaign here.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Research Synthesis Report: "Mental Disorders and Medical Comorbidity"

This synthesis report focuses on the answers to three questions, within the framework of the current health reform initiatives:
1. What is the rate of comorbidity between medical and mental conditions and why is it so
common?
2. What are the associated mortality, quality of care, and cost burdens of comorbidity?
3. What are the current evidence-based approaches for addressing comorbidity?

Download the report here.

SAMHSA 10x10 Wellness Campaign

Launched in 2010, this campaign hopes to increase the life expectancy of persons with mental health problems by ten years over the next ten years by promoting the importance of addressing all parts of a person's life in their medical treatment. To learn more about the 10x10 campaign click here. For 10x10 campaign printable borchures, click here.

Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative Releases Four Great Reources

The Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) is a coalition of more than 700 major employers, consumer groups, organizations representing primary care physicians, and other stakeholders who have joined to advance the patient centered medical home. The PCPCC is a great resouce for the latest news and informative webinars regarding PCMH. The following reports are available to download at http://www.pcpcc.net/resources

"Practices in the Spotlight: The Medical Home and Diabetes Care" looks at the intersection of high-value diabetes care and medical home principles through ten case studies.

"Patient-Centered Medical Home: Performance Metrics for Employers" provides a set of health and productivity metrics for employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of health.

A payment rate brief written by Michael Bailit of Bailit Health Purchasing, LLC on behalf of the PCPCC. This brief covers 12 different payment methodologies from different PCMH initiatives around the country.

"Better to Best: Value-Driving Elements of the Patient Centered Medical Home and Accountable Care Organizations" summarizes the presentations, discussion and resulting consensus statements of a meeting of high-level health care stakeholders that took place Sept. 8, 2010. The topics of access, care coordination, health information technology and payment reform -- are brought into focus and enhanced by action steps designed to drive them forward within medical homes and accountable care organizations.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) offers Database

NCSL has launched the first of its kind database to track the actions of state legislatures related to some of the major provisions in the Affordable Care Act. Topics in the database include Medicaid, Health Insurance Exchanges, Health Insurance Reform, Health Information Technology, Prevention and Wellness, and Providers and Workforce.

Getting the Most out of Social Media

Social media, like facebook and twitter, can increase traffic on your website, increase awareness of your organization, and help you communicate with clients. Social Media Examiner is a free online magazine that can help you explore and effectively use social media by providing tips, articles, reasearch, and reviews of different media tools.

Useful links from the FDA

Safe Use Initiative
The goal of FDA’s Safe Use Initiative is to create and facilitate collaborations among
groups vested in the safe use of medications with the intention of identifying specific,
preventable medication risks and developing, implementing, and evaluating cross-sector
interventions to reduce the preventable harm from these risks. Click here for more information

Click Here for a list of FDA links to teaching kits and materials for school nurses, teachers and other health educators

Visa Clarifies Credit Card Processing Requirements

Credit card processing security requirements are continually becoming more stringent. If processing is not done in a secure manner, the penalties are substantial and can put a business at risk both financially and from a customer relations standpoint. To avoid these penalties and process transactions with peace of mind, review the link below from Visa, which clarifies requirements both mandatory and recommended. Century Business Solutions (CBS), a resource NWRPCA trusts, can offer assistance in the area of Payment Card Industry compliance. CBS can also assist in helping you save on your monthly processing fees.

Visa link: http://usa.visa.com/merchants/risk_management/cisp_merchants.html

Angel Flight West: Fly patients where they need to go--no charge

Angel Flight West (AFW) arranges free air transportation in response to health care and other compelling human needs. AFW links volunteer pilots in private aircraft with people in need whose health care and other circumstances require them to travel to and from facilities throughout the 13 Western states. Volunteer pilots donate the costs of all flights. There is never a charge for an Angel Flight West mission. Visit Angel Flight West at www.angelflightwest.org. Call 888-426-2643 whenever you think you may need their services.

MedWatch: A site you might want to subscribe to

The MedWatch homepage contains timely and clinically useful safety information – safety alerts, public health advisories, recalls, withdrawals, and important labeling changes – that can provide the health care professional with safety information that may contribute to both safer patient care and safety.

MedWatch also provides a service that sends out clinically useful safety alerts in the flash of an e-mail:

important labeling changes for drugs
class 1 recalls
announcements of product tampering or counterfeit products
public health advisories

Click here to visit the site and consider subscribing.

CMS Timeline for EHR Incentives

Keep track of important milestones along the road to "meaningful use" so you can take advantage of all opportunities to earn incentives. Click here.

Free Patient Education for Spanish-speaking patients

Find 60-second patient education videos in Spanish for closed-circuit television, website embedment, or linkage, courtesy of the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Taking Medicines/Conozca sus medicamentos: http://www.healthcare411.org/videocastes.aspx?id=726
Having Surgery/Consejos para la cirugía: http://www.healthcare411.org/videocastes.aspx?id=727
ER Visits/Consejos para cuando tenga que acudir a la sala de emergencia: http://www.healthcare411.org/videocastes.aspx?id=734
Gestational Diabetes/Diabetes gestacional: http://www.healthcare411.org/videocastes.aspx?id=735

AHRQ also has new patient guides in Spanish or English on gestational diabetes, elective induced labor, cholesterol medications, breast biopsy methods, breast cancer risk-reduction drugs, premixed insulins, and other topics.

To see the guides in Spanish, go to http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/informacion-en-espanol/.

For English go to http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/guides-for-patients-and-consumers/. You can also order a new bilingual guide, Como cuidarme: Guia para cuando salga del hospital/Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital: http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/goinghomesp.htm.

For questions or to order , contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (301) 427-1539.

Talking Points: explaining how health centers save $$$

In a policy research brief published in June, 2010, the Geiger Gibson /
RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, George Washington University, estimated how much expansion of community health centers would save the nation in healthcare costs. Read this astute paper to prepare yourself to better explain how healthcare reform makes primary care more widely accessible at lower costs.

Strengthening Primary Care to Bend the Cost Curve:
The Expansion of Community Health Centers Through Health Reform

Do you fully understand the 340B drug program?

Apexus, the HRSA prime vendor for 340B services, has provided a comprehensive tutorial that will inform and challenge. Set aside a good 30 minutes, and prepare to fully understand the program (and take a test to qualify for a certificate of completion). Find the tutorial her

Eligibility to receive incentive payments from Medicare and Medicaid

CMS has provided the Eligibility Decision Tool for the CMS EHR Incentive Programs for Eligible Professionals. This tool is designed to assist healthcare providers in determining whether they are eligible to participate and receive incentive payments under the Medicare and Medicaid incentive programs. Click here to use the tool.