Jan Dyer

The CDC has released an updated version of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) Atlas.

The Atlas is an online tool that allows a user to easily analyze, map, and create tables from more than 10 years’ of data reported to the CDC.

Easy-to-follow instructions guide users through the “basic query” function, allowing them to map diseases by year, geographical area, and population group and create bar graphs that display changes over time and patterns across the U.S. Users also can download and export data and graphics as PDFs. Footnote sections provide more information about the surveillance data for each disease.

The Advanced Query function allows for the creation of customized tables that provide flexibility when comparing diseases, areas, and populations. This functionality also allows users to compare 2 or more diseases, examine multiple areas (eg, by state), view 2 or more years of data (eg, 2008-2013), or drill down to subpopulations of interest (eg, race, age, or sex).

The CDC also offers ready-made slide sets that show examples of the analyses that can be performed with the Atlas. These slides address diagnoses, social determinants of health, and recommended queries for each disease. For example, the slide for new diagnoses breaks down the data for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis A, B, and C, and tuberculosis by race, sex, date, age, and U.S. county.

For more on the Atlas, visit www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/about-atlas.html. A webcast demonstrating functionality and Q&As are also available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/video.html

The CDC has released an updated version of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) Atlas.

The Atlas is an online tool that allows a user to easily analyze, map, and create tables from more than 10 years’ of data reported to the CDC.

Easy-to-follow instructions guide users through the “basic query” function, allowing them to map diseases by year, geographical area, and population group and create bar graphs that display changes over time and patterns across the U.S. Users also can download and export data and graphics as PDFs. Footnote sections provide more information about the surveillance data for each disease.

The Advanced Query function allows for the creation of customized tables that provide flexibility when comparing diseases, areas, and populations. This functionality also allows users to compare 2 or more diseases, examine multiple areas (eg, by state), view 2 or more years of data (eg, 2008-2013), or drill down to subpopulations of interest (eg, race, age, or sex).

The CDC also offers ready-made slide sets that show examples of the analyses that can be performed with the Atlas. These slides address diagnoses, social determinants of health, and recommended queries for each disease. For example, the slide for new diagnoses breaks down the data for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis A, B, and C, and tuberculosis by race, sex, date, age, and U.S. county.

For more on the Atlas, visit www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/about-atlas.html. A webcast demonstrating functionality and Q&As are also available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/video.html

The CDC has released an updated version of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) Atlas.

The Atlas is an online tool that allows a user to easily analyze, map, and create tables from more than 10 years’ of data reported to the CDC.

Easy-to-follow instructions guide users through the “basic query” function, allowing them to map diseases by year, geographical area, and population group and create bar graphs that display changes over time and patterns across the U.S. Users also can download and export data and graphics as PDFs. Footnote sections provide more information about the surveillance data for each disease.

The Advanced Query function allows for the creation of customized tables that provide flexibility when comparing diseases, areas, and populations. This functionality also allows users to compare 2 or more diseases, examine multiple areas (eg, by state), view 2 or more years of data (eg, 2008-2013), or drill down to subpopulations of interest (eg, race, age, or sex).

The CDC also offers ready-made slide sets that show examples of the analyses that can be performed with the Atlas. These slides address diagnoses, social determinants of health, and recommended queries for each disease. For example, the slide for new diagnoses breaks down the data for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis A, B, and C, and tuberculosis by race, sex, date, age, and U.S. county.

For more on the Atlas, visit www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/about-atlas.html. A webcast demonstrating functionality and Q&As are also available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/video.html

Opioid-related hospitalizations in rural areas are increasing nearly twice as fast as in urban areas (8.6% vs 4.9%).  But rural primary care comes with some barriers to effectively treat opioid abuse, including lack of access to specialty treatment centers, limited continuing training opportunities, and lack of social support services.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has called for research to expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid abuse disorders in rural areas and is backing that call with up to $12 million to be awarded over the next 4 years. Specifically, the grants will fund as many as 4 research projects exploring ways to overcome barriers to the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in underserved communities.

Researchers may examine online training for physicians, in-office practice coaching, and virtual counseling sessions; projects also can create training resources to expand patients’ access to MAT.

Grant applications are due March 4, 2016. For more information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HS-16-001.html.

Opioid-related hospitalizations in rural areas are increasing nearly twice as fast as in urban areas (8.6% vs 4.9%).  But rural primary care comes with some barriers to effectively treat opioid abuse, including lack of access to specialty treatment centers, limited continuing training opportunities, and lack of social support services.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has called for research to expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid abuse disorders in rural areas and is backing that call with up to $12 million to be awarded over the next 4 years. Specifically, the grants will fund as many as 4 research projects exploring ways to overcome barriers to the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in underserved communities.

Researchers may examine online training for physicians, in-office practice coaching, and virtual counseling sessions; projects also can create training resources to expand patients’ access to MAT.

Grant applications are due March 4, 2016. For more information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HS-16-001.html.

Opioid-related hospitalizations in rural areas are increasing nearly twice as fast as in urban areas (8.6% vs 4.9%).  But rural primary care comes with some barriers to effectively treat opioid abuse, including lack of access to specialty treatment centers, limited continuing training opportunities, and lack of social support services.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has called for research to expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid abuse disorders in rural areas and is backing that call with up to $12 million to be awarded over the next 4 years. Specifically, the grants will fund as many as 4 research projects exploring ways to overcome barriers to the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in underserved communities.

Researchers may examine online training for physicians, in-office practice coaching, and virtual counseling sessions; projects also can create training resources to expand patients’ access to MAT.

Grant applications are due March 4, 2016. For more information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HS-16-001.html.

Feedback from veterans has led to changes that will make participating in the Veterans Choice Program more convenient, especially for those who live far from a VA medical facility.

The Choice Program went into effect in 2014, and more than 400,000 medical appointments have been logged since then. Under the old policy, a veteran was eligible for the program if he or she had enrolled in VA health care by August 1, 2014, or was able to enroll as a combat veteran; experienced unusual or excessive burden, determined by geographical challenges, environmental factors, or medical condition affecting ability to travel; or lived more than 40 miles from the closest VA medical facility.

Under the updated requirements, a veteran is eligible if he or she has been waiting (or will have to wait) more than 30 days for VA medical care; lives more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician; needs to travel by air, boat, or ferry to the closest facility; faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling; or lives in a state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility.

Care in the community is covered only by the VA for medical needs that have been approved by the veteran’s VA physician. The Choice Program does not affect the veteran’s existing VA health care or any other VA benefit.

For more details: www.va.gov/opa/choiceact.

Feedback from veterans has led to changes that will make participating in the Veterans Choice Program more convenient, especially for those who live far from a VA medical facility.

The Choice Program went into effect in 2014, and more than 400,000 medical appointments have been logged since then. Under the old policy, a veteran was eligible for the program if he or she had enrolled in VA health care by August 1, 2014, or was able to enroll as a combat veteran; experienced unusual or excessive burden, determined by geographical challenges, environmental factors, or medical condition affecting ability to travel; or lived more than 40 miles from the closest VA medical facility.

Under the updated requirements, a veteran is eligible if he or she has been waiting (or will have to wait) more than 30 days for VA medical care; lives more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician; needs to travel by air, boat, or ferry to the closest facility; faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling; or lives in a state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility.

Care in the community is covered only by the VA for medical needs that have been approved by the veteran’s VA physician. The Choice Program does not affect the veteran’s existing VA health care or any other VA benefit.

For more details: www.va.gov/opa/choiceact.

Feedback from veterans has led to changes that will make participating in the Veterans Choice Program more convenient, especially for those who live far from a VA medical facility.

The Choice Program went into effect in 2014, and more than 400,000 medical appointments have been logged since then. Under the old policy, a veteran was eligible for the program if he or she had enrolled in VA health care by August 1, 2014, or was able to enroll as a combat veteran; experienced unusual or excessive burden, determined by geographical challenges, environmental factors, or medical condition affecting ability to travel; or lived more than 40 miles from the closest VA medical facility.

Under the updated requirements, a veteran is eligible if he or she has been waiting (or will have to wait) more than 30 days for VA medical care; lives more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician; needs to travel by air, boat, or ferry to the closest facility; faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling; or lives in a state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility.

Care in the community is covered only by the VA for medical needs that have been approved by the veteran’s VA physician. The Choice Program does not affect the veteran’s existing VA health care or any other VA benefit.

For more details: www.va.gov/opa/choiceact.

Hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are largely preventable, yet they affect about 250,000 hospital patients each year at a cost of about $250 million.

About one-quarter of all patients have a urinary catheter placed during their hospital stay, which puts them at risk for infection. Preventing or stopping the infections would not only be better for patients, but would also reduce the chance of creating superbugs. To that end, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a new tool kit to help combat CAUTIs. The tool kit is the latest in a series of AHRQ tools and training materials that “help frontline providers go beyond the ‘what’ of improving care to actually show them ‘how’ to make changes in workflow processes to keep patients safer,” AHRQ says.

The tool kit is part of a 4-year project to promote the use of the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program (CUSP),  a custom program that combines best practices with an increased focus on teamwork, AHRQ says. Based on the experiences of more than 1,200 hospitals that successfully reduced CAUTI while participating in AHRQ’s nationwide CUSP project, the tool kit includes checklists, modifiable teaching tools, and resources to help clinical teams decide when and how to safely use catheters.

Designed by Johns Hopkins researchers, it proved to significantly reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections in ICUS. Preliminary studies show CUSP reduces CAUTIs by about 15%.

Hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are largely preventable, yet they affect about 250,000 hospital patients each year at a cost of about $250 million.

About one-quarter of all patients have a urinary catheter placed during their hospital stay, which puts them at risk for infection. Preventing or stopping the infections would not only be better for patients, but would also reduce the chance of creating superbugs. To that end, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a new tool kit to help combat CAUTIs. The tool kit is the latest in a series of AHRQ tools and training materials that “help frontline providers go beyond the ‘what’ of improving care to actually show them ‘how’ to make changes in workflow processes to keep patients safer,” AHRQ says.

The tool kit is part of a 4-year project to promote the use of the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program (CUSP),  a custom program that combines best practices with an increased focus on teamwork, AHRQ says. Based on the experiences of more than 1,200 hospitals that successfully reduced CAUTI while participating in AHRQ’s nationwide CUSP project, the tool kit includes checklists, modifiable teaching tools, and resources to help clinical teams decide when and how to safely use catheters.

Designed by Johns Hopkins researchers, it proved to significantly reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections in ICUS. Preliminary studies show CUSP reduces CAUTIs by about 15%.

Hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are largely preventable, yet they affect about 250,000 hospital patients each year at a cost of about $250 million.

About one-quarter of all patients have a urinary catheter placed during their hospital stay, which puts them at risk for infection. Preventing or stopping the infections would not only be better for patients, but would also reduce the chance of creating superbugs. To that end, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a new tool kit to help combat CAUTIs. The tool kit is the latest in a series of AHRQ tools and training materials that “help frontline providers go beyond the ‘what’ of improving care to actually show them ‘how’ to make changes in workflow processes to keep patients safer,” AHRQ says.

The tool kit is part of a 4-year project to promote the use of the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program (CUSP),  a custom program that combines best practices with an increased focus on teamwork, AHRQ says. Based on the experiences of more than 1,200 hospitals that successfully reduced CAUTI while participating in AHRQ’s nationwide CUSP project, the tool kit includes checklists, modifiable teaching tools, and resources to help clinical teams decide when and how to safely use catheters.

Designed by Johns Hopkins researchers, it proved to significantly reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections in ICUS. Preliminary studies show CUSP reduces CAUTIs by about 15%.

Admissions to publicly funded substance abuse treatment have declined slightly for alcohol abuse and markedly for cocaine use, according to a new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The report’s findings, drawn from the 2013 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), show that admissions dropped from 1,865,145 in 2003 to 1,683,451 in 2013. Alcohol use, although still responsible for the largest proportion of admissions, decreased from 42% to 38%. Cocaine (including crack) use declined dramatically from 14% to 6%. Marijuana use remained fairly steady over the past 10 years at 16% to 17%.

However, during the same period, heroin use admissions rose from 15% to 19%. And more than half of all patients admitted in 2013 reported abusing more than one substance.

Admissions to publicly funded substance abuse treatment have declined slightly for alcohol abuse and markedly for cocaine use, according to a new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The report’s findings, drawn from the 2013 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), show that admissions dropped from 1,865,145 in 2003 to 1,683,451 in 2013. Alcohol use, although still responsible for the largest proportion of admissions, decreased from 42% to 38%. Cocaine (including crack) use declined dramatically from 14% to 6%. Marijuana use remained fairly steady over the past 10 years at 16% to 17%.

However, during the same period, heroin use admissions rose from 15% to 19%. And more than half of all patients admitted in 2013 reported abusing more than one substance.

Admissions to publicly funded substance abuse treatment have declined slightly for alcohol abuse and markedly for cocaine use, according to a new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The report’s findings, drawn from the 2013 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), show that admissions dropped from 1,865,145 in 2003 to 1,683,451 in 2013. Alcohol use, although still responsible for the largest proportion of admissions, decreased from 42% to 38%. Cocaine (including crack) use declined dramatically from 14% to 6%. Marijuana use remained fairly steady over the past 10 years at 16% to 17%.

However, during the same period, heroin use admissions rose from 15% to 19%. And more than half of all patients admitted in 2013 reported abusing more than one substance.

Can hip-hop help get minority youth to avoid smoking? The FDA is hoping so. Its “Fresh Empire” campaign is the FDA’s first public education campaign designed to reduce and prevent tobacco use among at-risk multicultural teens who “identify with the hip-hop culture.”

Related: Is Cigarette Smoking on the Decline?

According to the Office of Minority Health (OMH), more than 4 million minority youth smoke or experiment with smoking, and research suggests that those in the hip-hop crowd are more likely to smoke than are other young people. With the tagline “Keep It Fresh,” the campaign aims to associate living “tobacco free” with desirable hip-hop lifestyles. The goal is to keep the campaign “authentic through a peer-to-peer approach,” but the FDA is also encouraging public health organizations and interested adults to share the information about the campaign through the FDA’s social media channels, such as @FDATobacco (https://twitter.com/FDATobacco).

Related: E-Cigarettes and Tobacco Product Smoking

The campaign will complement the FDA’s general youth education campaign, “The Real Cost.”

Can hip-hop help get minority youth to avoid smoking? The FDA is hoping so. Its “Fresh Empire” campaign is the FDA’s first public education campaign designed to reduce and prevent tobacco use among at-risk multicultural teens who “identify with the hip-hop culture.”

Related: Is Cigarette Smoking on the Decline?

According to the Office of Minority Health (OMH), more than 4 million minority youth smoke or experiment with smoking, and research suggests that those in the hip-hop crowd are more likely to smoke than are other young people. With the tagline “Keep It Fresh,” the campaign aims to associate living “tobacco free” with desirable hip-hop lifestyles. The goal is to keep the campaign “authentic through a peer-to-peer approach,” but the FDA is also encouraging public health organizations and interested adults to share the information about the campaign through the FDA’s social media channels, such as @FDATobacco (https://twitter.com/FDATobacco).

Related: E-Cigarettes and Tobacco Product Smoking

The campaign will complement the FDA’s general youth education campaign, “The Real Cost.”

Can hip-hop help get minority youth to avoid smoking? The FDA is hoping so. Its “Fresh Empire” campaign is the FDA’s first public education campaign designed to reduce and prevent tobacco use among at-risk multicultural teens who “identify with the hip-hop culture.”

Related: Is Cigarette Smoking on the Decline?

According to the Office of Minority Health (OMH), more than 4 million minority youth smoke or experiment with smoking, and research suggests that those in the hip-hop crowd are more likely to smoke than are other young people. With the tagline “Keep It Fresh,” the campaign aims to associate living “tobacco free” with desirable hip-hop lifestyles. The goal is to keep the campaign “authentic through a peer-to-peer approach,” but the FDA is also encouraging public health organizations and interested adults to share the information about the campaign through the FDA’s social media channels, such as @FDATobacco (https://twitter.com/FDATobacco).

Related: E-Cigarettes and Tobacco Product Smoking

The campaign will complement the FDA’s general youth education campaign, “The Real Cost.”

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (www.thecommunityguide.org), which includes subject matter experts from the CDC, has released new online reports on interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD).

One report, Clinical Decision Support Systems to Improve Provider Practices, recommends clinical decision support systems (CDSSs). A systematic review of 45 studies provided sufficient evidence that CDSSs help improve screening for CVD risk factors and other CVD-related preventive care services, clinical tests, and treatments.

The Task Force adds that most of the available evidence on effectiveness is from studies of CDSSs that are implemented alone rather than as part of a coordinated service delivery effort. The report also found “evidence gaps,” such as a lack of evidence regarding the impact of CDSSs on CVD risk factor outcomes, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipids, diabetes, and CVD-related morbidity and mortality, as well as patient-centered outcomes and processes.

The report includes full-text articles on the studies published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (www.thecommunityguide.org), which includes subject matter experts from the CDC, has released new online reports on interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD).

One report, Clinical Decision Support Systems to Improve Provider Practices, recommends clinical decision support systems (CDSSs). A systematic review of 45 studies provided sufficient evidence that CDSSs help improve screening for CVD risk factors and other CVD-related preventive care services, clinical tests, and treatments.

The Task Force adds that most of the available evidence on effectiveness is from studies of CDSSs that are implemented alone rather than as part of a coordinated service delivery effort. The report also found “evidence gaps,” such as a lack of evidence regarding the impact of CDSSs on CVD risk factor outcomes, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipids, diabetes, and CVD-related morbidity and mortality, as well as patient-centered outcomes and processes.

The report includes full-text articles on the studies published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (www.thecommunityguide.org), which includes subject matter experts from the CDC, has released new online reports on interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD).

One report, Clinical Decision Support Systems to Improve Provider Practices, recommends clinical decision support systems (CDSSs). A systematic review of 45 studies provided sufficient evidence that CDSSs help improve screening for CVD risk factors and other CVD-related preventive care services, clinical tests, and treatments.

The Task Force adds that most of the available evidence on effectiveness is from studies of CDSSs that are implemented alone rather than as part of a coordinated service delivery effort. The report also found “evidence gaps,” such as a lack of evidence regarding the impact of CDSSs on CVD risk factor outcomes, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipids, diabetes, and CVD-related morbidity and mortality, as well as patient-centered outcomes and processes.

The report includes full-text articles on the studies published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The Air Force Medical Service offers 3 mobile applications designed to encourage health and well-being: the Pregnancy Mobile  App, the Center of Excellence for Medical Multimedia (CEMM) Virtual Medical Center App, and the Wingman Toolkit App.

The Pregnancy Mobile App includes tools such as a pregnancy journal, an appointment manager, and kick and contraction counters. The user can also track health stats, such as biometrics, vitals, labs, ultrasounds, screenings, and vaccinations/immunizations.

The CEMM Virtual Medical Center App has patient education tools, such as a 3D Medical Animation library, Rx drug listing and reminder, adult and childhood immunization lists, and CEMM library. It also provides TRICARE tools, including military treatment facility locator, news feed, and Plan finder.

The Wingman Toolkit App was based on Master Resilience Training to help users “bounce back and recover when facing a difficult issue.” The toolkit also provides just-in-time resources such as quick access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the DoD Safe Helpline, and the user’s Wingman. Interactive tools include PT test requirements and workout reminders.

For more information on these apps, visit www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/healthy-living/mobile-apps.

The Air Force Medical Service offers 3 mobile applications designed to encourage health and well-being: the Pregnancy Mobile  App, the Center of Excellence for Medical Multimedia (CEMM) Virtual Medical Center App, and the Wingman Toolkit App.

The Pregnancy Mobile App includes tools such as a pregnancy journal, an appointment manager, and kick and contraction counters. The user can also track health stats, such as biometrics, vitals, labs, ultrasounds, screenings, and vaccinations/immunizations.

The CEMM Virtual Medical Center App has patient education tools, such as a 3D Medical Animation library, Rx drug listing and reminder, adult and childhood immunization lists, and CEMM library. It also provides TRICARE tools, including military treatment facility locator, news feed, and Plan finder.

The Wingman Toolkit App was based on Master Resilience Training to help users “bounce back and recover when facing a difficult issue.” The toolkit also provides just-in-time resources such as quick access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the DoD Safe Helpline, and the user’s Wingman. Interactive tools include PT test requirements and workout reminders.

For more information on these apps, visit www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/healthy-living/mobile-apps.

The Air Force Medical Service offers 3 mobile applications designed to encourage health and well-being: the Pregnancy Mobile  App, the Center of Excellence for Medical Multimedia (CEMM) Virtual Medical Center App, and the Wingman Toolkit App.

The Pregnancy Mobile App includes tools such as a pregnancy journal, an appointment manager, and kick and contraction counters. The user can also track health stats, such as biometrics, vitals, labs, ultrasounds, screenings, and vaccinations/immunizations.

The CEMM Virtual Medical Center App has patient education tools, such as a 3D Medical Animation library, Rx drug listing and reminder, adult and childhood immunization lists, and CEMM library. It also provides TRICARE tools, including military treatment facility locator, news feed, and Plan finder.

The Wingman Toolkit App was based on Master Resilience Training to help users “bounce back and recover when facing a difficult issue.” The toolkit also provides just-in-time resources such as quick access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the DoD Safe Helpline, and the user’s Wingman. Interactive tools include PT test requirements and workout reminders.

For more information on these apps, visit www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/healthy-living/mobile-apps.

Native American veterans have the highest rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of any ethnic group and often face significant barriers to care, such as living in rural and remote areas. To help overcome those barriers, the Office of Rural Health (ORH) established its Native Domain, a national resource on health care issues for rural Native veterans.

The Native Domain’s Telemental Health Services provides ongoing mental health care—including medication management, case management, and individual, group, and family psychotherapy—via videoconferencing to veterans who live on or near rural American Indian reservations in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

This “unique service within the VA system” demonstrates an “innovative model,” according to the ORH. Studies have suggested that telemental health is as effective as face-to-face services. For example, a 2010 study of 125 veterans with PTSD found videoconferencing an “effective and feasible” way to increase access to evidence-based care.

Clinic staff include VA-employed Tribal Outreach Workers (TOWs), who are usually military veterans and members of the tribes they serve. Their varied duties range from helping Native veterans enroll in the clinic programs, showing patients how to use the videoconferencing equipment, troubleshooting clinic telecommunications equipment, to coordinating emergency crisis management. The TOWs also work closely with the remote clinicians and provide guidance on cultural and community issues that may be relevant to the patient’s care or treatment.

The American Indian Telemental Health video (www.ruralhealth.va.gov/media/american-indian-telemental-health.asx) is an overview of a series of clinics that use videoconferencing. More information on the telemental health clinics is available at www.ruralhealth.va.gov/native/programs/telemental-services.asp.

Native American veterans have the highest rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of any ethnic group and often face significant barriers to care, such as living in rural and remote areas. To help overcome those barriers, the Office of Rural Health (ORH) established its Native Domain, a national resource on health care issues for rural Native veterans.

The Native Domain’s Telemental Health Services provides ongoing mental health care—including medication management, case management, and individual, group, and family psychotherapy—via videoconferencing to veterans who live on or near rural American Indian reservations in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

This “unique service within the VA system” demonstrates an “innovative model,” according to the ORH. Studies have suggested that telemental health is as effective as face-to-face services. For example, a 2010 study of 125 veterans with PTSD found videoconferencing an “effective and feasible” way to increase access to evidence-based care.

Clinic staff include VA-employed Tribal Outreach Workers (TOWs), who are usually military veterans and members of the tribes they serve. Their varied duties range from helping Native veterans enroll in the clinic programs, showing patients how to use the videoconferencing equipment, troubleshooting clinic telecommunications equipment, to coordinating emergency crisis management. The TOWs also work closely with the remote clinicians and provide guidance on cultural and community issues that may be relevant to the patient’s care or treatment.

The American Indian Telemental Health video (www.ruralhealth.va.gov/media/american-indian-telemental-health.asx) is an overview of a series of clinics that use videoconferencing. More information on the telemental health clinics is available at www.ruralhealth.va.gov/native/programs/telemental-services.asp.

Native American veterans have the highest rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of any ethnic group and often face significant barriers to care, such as living in rural and remote areas. To help overcome those barriers, the Office of Rural Health (ORH) established its Native Domain, a national resource on health care issues for rural Native veterans.

The Native Domain’s Telemental Health Services provides ongoing mental health care—including medication management, case management, and individual, group, and family psychotherapy—via videoconferencing to veterans who live on or near rural American Indian reservations in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

This “unique service within the VA system” demonstrates an “innovative model,” according to the ORH. Studies have suggested that telemental health is as effective as face-to-face services. For example, a 2010 study of 125 veterans with PTSD found videoconferencing an “effective and feasible” way to increase access to evidence-based care.

Clinic staff include VA-employed Tribal Outreach Workers (TOWs), who are usually military veterans and members of the tribes they serve. Their varied duties range from helping Native veterans enroll in the clinic programs, showing patients how to use the videoconferencing equipment, troubleshooting clinic telecommunications equipment, to coordinating emergency crisis management. The TOWs also work closely with the remote clinicians and provide guidance on cultural and community issues that may be relevant to the patient’s care or treatment.

The American Indian Telemental Health video (www.ruralhealth.va.gov/media/american-indian-telemental-health.asx) is an overview of a series of clinics that use videoconferencing. More information on the telemental health clinics is available at www.ruralhealth.va.gov/native/programs/telemental-services.asp.

According to HHS, an estimated 87,000 fewer patients died of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) between 2010 and 2014 thanks to national patient safety efforts.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) analyzed the incidence of adverse drug events, (ADEs) catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line–associated bloodstream infections, pressure ulcers, surgical site infections, and other HACs and compared those with baseline data from 2010.

The HACs' numbers have steadily dropped 17% from 2010 to 2014, but the reasons  are not fully understood. Possible contributing causes include financial incentives created by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other payers’ policies, public reporting of hospital-level results, and technical assistance offered to hospitals.

The “major strides in patient safety are a result of strong, diverse public-private partnerships and active engagement by patients and families,” HHS says. One of those partnerships, the Partnership for Patients, was launched in 2011 to target specific HACs for reductions via systematic quality improvement. “Crucially,” the report notes, progress was made possible by AHRQ’s efforts in gathering evidence about how to make care safer, investments in tools and training to “catalyze improvement,” and investments in data and measures to track change.

Most of the improvements between 2010 and 2014 were seen in reducing ADEs, which accounted for 40% of the change: from 1,621,000 to 1,360,000 ADEs. (The AHRQ study looked at hypoglycemic agents, IV heparin, low-molecular weight heparin and Factor X an inhibitor, and warfarin.) The next largest category was pressure ulcers, which saw a 28% change. Interim data show an estimated 16,760 deaths due to ADEs were averted, as were 42,716 deaths due to pressure ulcers. “These new numbers are impressive and show the great progress hospitals continue to make,” said Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association.        

As the improvements hold steady, their impact accumulates, AHRQ says. However, the AHRQ report points out, “There is still more work to be done.” The interim 2014 HAC rate of 121 HACs per 1,000 discharges is the same as it was in 2013 (some patients had more than 1 HAC). Moreover, in 2014, almost 10% of hospitalized patients experienced 1 or more of the HACs measured. “That rate is still too high,” the report panel concludes.

According to HHS, an estimated 87,000 fewer patients died of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) between 2010 and 2014 thanks to national patient safety efforts.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) analyzed the incidence of adverse drug events, (ADEs) catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line–associated bloodstream infections, pressure ulcers, surgical site infections, and other HACs and compared those with baseline data from 2010.

The HACs' numbers have steadily dropped 17% from 2010 to 2014, but the reasons  are not fully understood. Possible contributing causes include financial incentives created by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other payers’ policies, public reporting of hospital-level results, and technical assistance offered to hospitals.

The “major strides in patient safety are a result of strong, diverse public-private partnerships and active engagement by patients and families,” HHS says. One of those partnerships, the Partnership for Patients, was launched in 2011 to target specific HACs for reductions via systematic quality improvement. “Crucially,” the report notes, progress was made possible by AHRQ’s efforts in gathering evidence about how to make care safer, investments in tools and training to “catalyze improvement,” and investments in data and measures to track change.

Most of the improvements between 2010 and 2014 were seen in reducing ADEs, which accounted for 40% of the change: from 1,621,000 to 1,360,000 ADEs. (The AHRQ study looked at hypoglycemic agents, IV heparin, low-molecular weight heparin and Factor X an inhibitor, and warfarin.) The next largest category was pressure ulcers, which saw a 28% change. Interim data show an estimated 16,760 deaths due to ADEs were averted, as were 42,716 deaths due to pressure ulcers. “These new numbers are impressive and show the great progress hospitals continue to make,” said Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association.        

As the improvements hold steady, their impact accumulates, AHRQ says. However, the AHRQ report points out, “There is still more work to be done.” The interim 2014 HAC rate of 121 HACs per 1,000 discharges is the same as it was in 2013 (some patients had more than 1 HAC). Moreover, in 2014, almost 10% of hospitalized patients experienced 1 or more of the HACs measured. “That rate is still too high,” the report panel concludes.

According to HHS, an estimated 87,000 fewer patients died of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) between 2010 and 2014 thanks to national patient safety efforts.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) analyzed the incidence of adverse drug events, (ADEs) catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line–associated bloodstream infections, pressure ulcers, surgical site infections, and other HACs and compared those with baseline data from 2010.

The HACs' numbers have steadily dropped 17% from 2010 to 2014, but the reasons  are not fully understood. Possible contributing causes include financial incentives created by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other payers’ policies, public reporting of hospital-level results, and technical assistance offered to hospitals.

The “major strides in patient safety are a result of strong, diverse public-private partnerships and active engagement by patients and families,” HHS says. One of those partnerships, the Partnership for Patients, was launched in 2011 to target specific HACs for reductions via systematic quality improvement. “Crucially,” the report notes, progress was made possible by AHRQ’s efforts in gathering evidence about how to make care safer, investments in tools and training to “catalyze improvement,” and investments in data and measures to track change.

Most of the improvements between 2010 and 2014 were seen in reducing ADEs, which accounted for 40% of the change: from 1,621,000 to 1,360,000 ADEs. (The AHRQ study looked at hypoglycemic agents, IV heparin, low-molecular weight heparin and Factor X an inhibitor, and warfarin.) The next largest category was pressure ulcers, which saw a 28% change. Interim data show an estimated 16,760 deaths due to ADEs were averted, as were 42,716 deaths due to pressure ulcers. “These new numbers are impressive and show the great progress hospitals continue to make,” said Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association.        

As the improvements hold steady, their impact accumulates, AHRQ says. However, the AHRQ report points out, “There is still more work to be done.” The interim 2014 HAC rate of 121 HACs per 1,000 discharges is the same as it was in 2013 (some patients had more than 1 HAC). Moreover, in 2014, almost 10% of hospitalized patients experienced 1 or more of the HACs measured. “That rate is still too high,” the report panel concludes.