Summer 2024 Newsletter

From the President’s Desk

Submitted by: Teresa Jeffus

Hello All,

I hope everyone is safe from the storms and tornadoes we have been experiencing in Arkansas in the last couple of months. These events definitely seem to be getting worse and certainly more frequent.

And now as we enter the long hot summer, much planning has taken place in preparation for our fall educational conference, with high caliber, credentialed speakers presenting on pertinent, challenging topics, and multiple exhibitors/vendors. Since the conference will be in-person this year we are even planning to bring back the Silent Auction that we have had so much fun with in the past. The conference agenda will include a variety of topics from Health Equity to Behavioral Health. Please plan to join us for this educational event and mark your calendars for Friday, October 11^th 2024.

Lastly, I want to thank you for your continued membership in AAHQ. Personally, I think the benefits of networking, professional development and access to resources are invaluable to us all as we navigate the ever-changing dynamics in healthcare today.

Best,

Teresa Jeffus

AAHQ President

Membership Services Update

Submitted by: Tim Copeland

Have you ever faced a situation where you had no idea what to do next? Maybe it was a process problem that your organization has been collectively banging its head against the wall on for months or years and you just can’t seem to get any momentum on it. If you only had someone to call. Or maybe just someone to commiserate with. Your fellow AAHQ members are a great place to start looking! We come from different facilities, different backgrounds, and different experiences. Among our membership, there is bound to be someone who has tried something that worked.

Being a member of AAHQ allows you to connect with other professionals that are facing the same issues as you, are familiar with the vernacular of quality, and have valuable insights and relevant experience. Members of AAHQ have access to networking opportunities from across the state, educational offerings related to moving healthcare quality forward, and quality leaders in all areas of healthcare. Areas include, but are not limited to, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing, ambulatory, etc. Today’s AAHQ membership is a strong representation of all regions of the state.

If you’re reading this newsletter, you’re likely already a member of AAHQ and I’ve been preaching to the choir. But who do you know who might benefit from joining us? Forward this newsletter to them. Encourage them to visit our website, www.arkahq.org. If they have questions or need help, they can submit an online question on the contact page or call AAHQ at 501-224-7878.

Tim Copeland, MHSA, BS (MT)

Membership Services Team Lead

Communications Update

Submitted by: Joel Anderson

Happy summer! The AAHQ Communications team has been making updates to the AAHQ website. Did you know that we have a “members only” page on the website? This page provides excellent tools and resources including past board meeting minutes, member rosters for networking, and will begin housing our conference educational materials for reference. Any AAHQ member that would like access to the page should email me at andersonj@jrmc.org and request the password. In order to participate and interact with AAHQ, please follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. The AAHQ Communications Action Team strives to promote recognition and visibility of the AAHQ organization through our website, newsletter publications, and social media platforms.

We would love to spotlight your organizations great work and achievements in 2024. Please feel free to email newsletter submissions and pictures to andersonj@jrmc.org

Joel Anderson, GC-MGMT, BBA

Communications Team Lead

Protocol Update

Submitted by: Erin Bolton

Are you enjoying summertime in Arkansas? It seems like it has gotten HOT quickly this year!! You have to stop and wonder what July and August will be like! Stay cool friends!

Have you ever considered getting your CPHQ certification? You would be joining an elite group of Quality Professionals! We can help you! The AAHQ Board is offering scholarships to those of you who would like to try and get your CPHQ and maybe don’t have the funds to do so. If you pass your CPHQ test, AAHQ will reimburse you up to $500. Reach out to me at boltone@jrmc.org if you are interested! If you already have your CPHQ but it’s time for renewal, the Board has scholarships available for you too!

It will soon be time to take nominations for the 2025 AAHQ Board. Would you consider running for one of our open positions? We meet monthly but the majority of our meetings are virtual. You get to network with outstanding quality professionals from around the state and it’s a lot of fun! Please consider if a Board position is right for you and watch here for more information about our open positions.

There are positions available on the Protocol team if you would like to serve. The Protocol team is responsible for elections and review of the by-laws. It’s a great way to get involved without a lot of time commitment. Reach out to me if you are interested!

Have a great summer and I hope to see you at the AAHQ events we have planned!

Erin Bolton, BSN, RN, CPHQ

Protocol Team Lead

Professional Development Update

Submitted by: Justin Villines

Upcoming 2024 Fall Educational Conference on October 11, 2024, at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary- Little Rock

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the Arkansas Association for Healthcare Quality (AAHQ) continues to champion innovative strategies to enhance quality, equity, and efficiency. Our latest event coming in October, “Innovating Healthcare through Integrative Strategies,” will bring together thought leaders and experts to share insights and advancements in healthcare. Here, we highlight the key presentations and contributions from our distinguished speakers.

Keynote Address: “4 Corner Posts to High Performance Influence”

Speaker: Mike Harbour, National Author, and President of Harbour Resources

Mike Harbour, an esteemed leadership coach and author, will open our event with an inspiring keynote on the “4 Corner Posts to High Performance Influence.” With a robust background including 12 years in the US Army and extensive experience in corporate leadership development, Mike has mentored tens of thousands of leaders since 1999. His collaboration with renowned experts like John Maxwell and Quint Studer underscores his commitment to building exceptional leaders. Mike’s session will provide valuable insights into achieving high performance through strategic leadership and personal development.

“Bridging the Health Gap Through Integrated Behavioral Health”

Speaker: Kim Shuler, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer of Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network (ABIN)

Kim Shuler, a seasoned clinician, and administrator with over 20 years in integrated behavioral health, will discuss strategies for bridging the health gap through integrated behavioral health services. As CEO of ABIN and Project Director for multiple HRSA projects, Kim has demonstrated success in training providers, building coalitions, and implementing integrated behavioral health programs. Her presentation will highlight the critical role of integrated care in improving health outcomes and addressing behavioral health needs in various healthcare settings.

“The Health Equity Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together”

Speaker: Terri Church, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CPHQ, CPPS, Executive Director of Quality, Clinical Informatics & Patient Safety at Washington Regional Medical Center

Terri Church, a recognized leader in quality management and clinical informatics, will present on “The Health Equity Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together.” With extensive experience in critical care, informatics, and patient safety, Terri will emphasize the importance of strategic decision-making and data analytics in promoting health equity. Her session will underscore the need for comprehensive approaches to address disparities and improve the quality of care across diverse populations.

“Primary Care First (PCF) Program”

Speaker: Adam Whitlock, Manager, Primary Care at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield

Adam Whitlock, responsible for the day-to-day operations of value-based primary care programs at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, will share insights on the Primary Care First (PCF) program. Adam’s leadership in introducing capitation and managing value-based care initiatives has significantly impacted primary care practices in Arkansas. His discussion will focus on the quadruple aim of improving population health, patient, and provider satisfaction, and addressing the total cost of care. Adam will also highlight the collaborative efforts of the Arkansas Multi-Payer Council and the Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network in enhancing primary care delivery.

“Eligible Hospitals (EH) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) ECQMS 2024”

Speaker: Michael Wisely, BA, Director of Quality Analytics at Jefferson Regional Medical Center

Michael Wisely, with nearly three decades of service at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, will present on the ECQMS 2024 for Eligible Hospitals (EH) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAH). With a solid background in mathematics and computer science, Mike’s expertise in data analytics has driven significant improvements in patient care and hospital operations. His presentation will focus on the importance of leveraging data for quality improvement and ensuring hospitals meet and exceed regulatory standards.

The AAHQ is proud to feature these leaders who are driving positive change in healthcare. Their contributions exemplify our commitment to quality, equity, and efficiency in healthcare delivery. Registration coming soon! See you in the fall!

Justin Villines, MBA, BSM

Professional Development/External Relations Team Lead

Hospital Quality Spotlight

Meet the Conway Regional Quality Team

Pictured Left to Right: JoAnn Frazier, BSN, RN, CPHQ, Performance Improvement Coordinator; Renee Holt, MJ, BSN, RN, CHC, CPHQ, Performance Improvement Coordinator; Andrea Harrison, MSN, RN, Director of Quality Resources; Erica Speer, BSN, RN, CIC, Infection Preventionist; Catherine Kirk, BSN, RN, Infection Preventionist; Julie Chapman, BSN, RN, Sepsis Coordinator

For this spotlight, we are featuring the Conway Regional Quality Department for the work they’ve done this year related to the new CMS Social Drivers of Health metrics. Beginning January 1^st of 2024, two new measures that hospitals participating in the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program will be required to report include (1) Screening for Social Drivers of Health and (2) the Screen Positive Rate for Social Drivers of Health. These measures assess whether a hospital implements screening for all patients age 18 years or older at the time of admission for food insecurity, housing instability, transportation needs, utility difficulties, and interpersonal safety.

Conway Regional integrated a Social Drivers of Health Screening Tool, including recommended questions from CMS, into the admission assessment completed by nursing staff for every patient. In addition to the required screening elements for this measure, Conway Regional has chosen to also screen for patients’ ability to afford their medications. According to Andrea Harrison, Director of Quality Resources, “This metric is important because these social drivers can truly affect the health outcomes of our patients.”

In addition to screening for these social drivers, what is most impressive is Conway Regional’s organized efforts surrounding the issues identified through the tool. Andrea Harrison stated that monthly, a multidisciplinary committee including Quality, Nursing Leadership, Case Management, Home Health, Patient Navigation, Nutritional Services, the Health Foundation, the chaplain, the System Medical Director, and resident physicians meet to discuss interventions that can assist patients who need assistance with one or more of these social drivers. One example of this is the Hospital LOVE Fund, which assists with providing critical medications, such as inhalers or insulin, to patients who are unable to afford them. Additionally, this team played a role in ensuring that leftover food from the Hospital Cafeteria was donated to local shelters. Beginning in August of 2024, this team has plans to assist patients with identified food insecurity needs by ensuring they are discharged home with five days’ worth of frozen meals that align with the diet they require. Finally, the team has provided input to create QR codes with links to social resources, with a separate link for each county in Conway Regional’s market area.

When asked what part of this work she’s most proud of, Andrea Harrison stated the interdisciplinary collaboration and the large amount of work they’ve been able to accomplish in a short amount of time are what comes to mind. In terms of the challenges that accompany these new metrics, she noted that the questions included in these screenings can be uncomfortable or awkward to discuss with patients. Above all, she emphasized how important it is to train staff to have these discussions and help them understand why social drivers matter.

If you have questions regarding the work the Quality Team at Conway Regional did related to social drivers of health, please reach out to Andrea Harrison at aharrison@conwayregional.org . Great work Conway Regional Quality Team!!

Submitted by:

Chelsey Davidson, BS, CPHQ

AAHQ Board Past-President

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