April 2015 WINDOW - Jewish Healthcare Foundation

 April 2015
THE WINDOW
A round‐up of JHF news, events, milestones, publications, and more. April JHF Summit Moves Pennsylvania Closer
To Establishing Statewide Integration of
Community Health Workers into Primary Care
Teams
Rosieis82yearsold.Shestilllivesinherownhomeonthe
NorthsideofPittsburgh.Lastyearshewasadmittedtothe
hospitaleighttimeswithdiabetes‐relatedcomplications.Frank
is94,andstillinreasonablygoodhealth,thoughheisgetting
outlessandless.Frankcan’trecallthelasttimeheevenwent
tothedoctor.
BothRosieandFrankarethetargetofJHF’snewestChampions
program—CommunityHealthWorkersChampions—which
willfocusonhelpingmanagethehealthofseniorsand,
ultimately,preventunnecessaryhospitalizationsandnursing
homeadmissions,andsupportfamilycaregivers.
TheCommunityHealthWorkersChampionsprogramisone
componentofJHF’seffortstoestablishastatewidetraining,
certi ication,andpaymentmodelforcommunityhealth
workers.
Acrosstheglobe,communityhealthworkers(CHWs)help
nations,regions,andcommunitiesmeettheirgoalsforhealth
andwell‐being.Astrustedindividualswithadeep
understandingofthecommunitiesinwhichtheyresideand
serve,CHWscanhelpimprovehealthoutcomesforcommunity
membersastheyhelpreducesystemcostsforhealthcareby
facilitatingcarecoordination,improvingself‐management,and
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Inside this issue Fellows Showcase Apps to Activate Healthcare Consumers, Help them Choose Wisely during QI2T Finale 5 COMPASS: How Champions are Creating Sustainability 7 PRHI, Quality Insights Officially Sign QIN‐
QIO Contract; New Version of THC Supports Virtual Learning across 5 States 9 Inhaler Training Course Boosts PCRC Staff Confidence, Ensures Smooth Care Transitions for COPD Patients 10 PRHI Leadership Invited to COPD Foundation’s 2nd Readmissions Summit 11 REACH Earns No‐Cost Extension from ONC‐
HIT, Expands Work into Behavioral Health 12 Karen Feinstein Talks Transformative Role of RHICs at CMU Summit 13 Film Screening, Q&A Support Campaign to End HPV Epidemic 15 Closure Continues in Harrisburg to Promote Statewide End‐of‐Life Policy Change 16 JHF Facilitates Care Planning Conversations on National Healthcare Decisions Day 17 Nancy Zionts moderates Panel on Improving End‐of‐Life Care during 2015 JFilm Festival 18 National Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony 19 Regional HIV Collaborative Working to Eliminate Care Gaps 20 SNAP Healthy Eating Program Coming to Pittsburgh 21 Delegate Assembly Supports Education, Screening for Jewish Genetic Diseases 21 JHF Recognized as Champion for Health Insurance Coverage by CMS 21 Nancy Zionts Shares JHF’s history, Community Impact in Lancaster 22 JHF‐Supported Geriatric Care Initiative Featured in American Journal of Health‐
System Pharmacy 23 JHF Hosts Eisenhower Fellow Focused on Strengthening Saudi Arabian Primary Care 23 Debra L. Caplan Honored by Pittsburgh City Council for Distinguished Career, Devotion to the Community 23 CMS Approves Extension for PCRC Project 24 (ConƟnued from page 1)
linkingpatientstocommunity‐basedservicesthataddressbothmedicalandsocialdeterminantsof
health.
HereintheU.S.,theAffordableCareAct(ACA)andtheCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServiceshave
createdanumberofopportunitiestoexpandtheuseofCHWsasameansofhelpingtoalleviatea
primarycaresystemoverburdenedbythevastnumbersofpeoplesufferingfromchroniclifestyle‐
relateddiseases(likediabetes,COPD,andcongestiveheartfailure),thegrowingnumberofelderly(who
aredisproportionately“highhealthcareutilizers”),andagrowingnumberofnewlyinsuredindividuals.
Ofsigni icantinteresttotheFoundationisthefundingofmultipledemonstrationprojectsacrosstheU.S.
aimedatprovingthevalueandimpactofCHWsinimprovingpopulationhealth.Anumberofstateshave
takenstepstoimplementpoliciesinordertobuildcapacityforanintegratedandsustainableCHW
workforce.
DespiteanumberofprestigiousCHWprogramsinPennsylvania,thestatehasnotyetcreateda
statewidepolicyinfrastructureinsupportofCHWs.JHFisworkingtochangethat.
InOctober,theFoundationworkedwithTheNetworkforExcellenceinHealthInnovation(NEHI)to
conveneaCHWsummitinWashington,D.C.,thepurposeofwhichwastogleaninformationandbest
practicesfromnationalexpertstoinformthedevelopmentofastrategytoadvancetheCHWworkforce
inPennsylvania.
OnApril22,JHFconvenedasecond
CHWsummitfocusedontraining,
certi ication,andreimbursement
policiesforCHWsinHarrisburg,PA.
ThesummitfeaturedregionalCHW
programs,includingthePennCenter
forCommunityHealthWorkersand
theCamdenCoalitionofHealthcare
Providers,aswellasexpertsfrom JHF President and CEO Karen Wolk Feinstein, PhD, welcomes CHW Summit guests. otherstateswhosharedtheir
experienceswithenactingtraining,certi ication,andreimbursementpoliciesforCHWs.
JHFPresidentandCEOKarenWolkFeinstein,PhD,openedtheSummit.Dr.Feinsteinhadrecently
attendedaglobalhealthconferenceinSouthAfrica,wheremanyofthepresentationsfocusedontheuse
ofCHWs,andthentouredseveralvillageswhereshesaw irsthandthetremendousimpactCHWshave
onpopulationhealth.
“WhatIsaw,”notedDr.Feinstein,“demonstratedthevastpotentialofCHWsasonepartofasolutionto
ourhealthcarechallengeshereintheU.S.Theimpactthattheseworkershaveonpopulationhealthis
undeniable.HIV‐positiveindividualsinRwandaaremorecompliantwithHIVtreatmentthanHIV‐
positiveindividualsarehereinPennsylvania.Maternalhealthworkersfocusingonprenatalcareand
childbirthrecordedzerodeathsamongparticipatingwomenanddeliveredalmost1,400healthybabies
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inLesotho,wherethelifetimeriskofmaternaldeathis1in62.Theyhelpvillagersovercomeobstacles
tohealthandprovidemuchneededbasichealthservicesinareaswheretheclosestphysicianmightbe
25milesaway.Andalotmore.”
JasonTuri,RN,MPH,associateclinicaldirectoratthe
CamdenCoalitionofHealthcareProviders(CCHP),along
withCCHPcommunityhealthworkerSharineElizaandJill
Feldstein,MPA,directorofthePennCenterforCommunity
HealthWorkers,madeupthe irstpanelonCHWprograms.
TheyspokeabouthowCHWsaredeployedwithintheir
organizations.Eliza,whogrewupintheWestIndies,
providedafrontlineperspective,notingthatcommunity
healthworkisinherDNA,“whenthecommunityissick,
weallcometogether,”shesaid.
ReactingtotheirpresentationswereDavidKelley,MD,
chiefmedicalof iceratthePennsylvaniaDepartmentof
HumanServices’Of iceofMedicalAssistancePrograms;
EricBerman,DO,regionalchiefmedicalof icerat
AmeriHealthCaritasFamilyofCompanies;andJohn
Lovelace,MS,presidentofUPMCforYou,UPMCHealth
Plan.PRHI’sChiefMedicalInformaticsandLearningOf icer
BruceBlock,MD,moderatedthepanel.
CHW Program panelists (L to R) Jill Feldstein, Penn Center for Community Health Workers, and Sharine Eliza and Jason Turi of the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers. CHW Program panelists respondents (L to R): David Kelley, PA Department of Human Services; Eric Berman, AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies; and John Lovelace, UPMC Health Plan. KelleyprovidedvaluableinsightontheState’srole,while
BermanandLovelacetalkedabouthowtheyaredeploying
CHWs.Bothpanelistsandrespondentstalkedabout
metrics,paymentsystems,training,andintervention
targets.
Thesecondpanel,moderatedbyCarlRush,MRP,director
oftheProjectonCHWPolicyandPracticeattheInstitute
CHW Policy panelists (L to R): Commander Thomas forHealthPolicyattheUniversityofTexasSchoolofPublic Pryor, U.S. Public Health Service, CMMI; Beverly MacCarty, Texas Department of State Health Services; Health,includedCommanderThomasPryor,U.S.Public
and Gail Hirsch, Massachusetts Department of Public Health. HealthService,CenterforMedicareandMedicaid
Innovation;GailHirsch,MEd,directoroftheOf iceof
CommunityHealthWorkersattheMassachusettsDepartmentofPublicHealth;andBeverlyMacCarty,
MA,coordinatoroftheMaternalandChildHealthprogramoftheTexasDepartmentofStateHealth
Services.TomasAguilar,director,BureauofHealthPromotionandRiskReduction,Pennsylvania
DepartmentofHealth,responded.
MassachusettsandTexashavetwoofthemostrobustpublicprograms.“IemailBevalot,”notedHirsch.
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InMassachusetts,thereisastate‐supportedCommunityHealthWorkersAssociation,whichhasaseat
ontheState’sPublicHealthCouncil.TheyalsohaveaBoardofCertification,ledinpartbyCHWs,thatis
creatingastatecertificationprogramandestablishingtrainingstandards.InTexas,thereisnota
statewideCHWassociation,butanumberofindependentCHWassociationsacrosstheState.The
DepartmentofStateHealthServicescreatedaCHWtrainingandcertificationprogram.
Ultimately,itwillbeuptotheCommonwealthtoformalizehowCHWswillbeintegratedinto
Pennsylvania’shealthcaresystem.
Ournextstep:JHFwillcreateanadvisorygroupofexpertsinseniorservices—thoseinvolvedinhome‐
and‐communitybasedcareaswellasthosefromtheclinicalhealthcaresector—whowillworkwiththe
Foundationtoincorporatelearnings,including indingsfromCMSdemonstrationprojects,inorderto
outlineelementsofastandardizedCHWtrainingcurriculum,certi ication,andreimbursement
mechanismtopromotetheuseofCHWsintheCommonwealth’shealthcareandsocialservicesystems.
Theadvisorywillalsobekeyinidentifyingthefactorsthatpredicthospitalandnursinghome
admissionsforseniors,andindevelopingacompetency‐basedCHWtrainingcurriculumandservice
deliverymodelfocusedonpreventinghospitalizationsandavoidableinstitutionalizationfor
community‐dwellingseniors.ThetrainingcurriculumandservicedeliverymodelJHFdevelopsforthe
CHWChampionsProgramwillbepilot‐testedasatwo‐yeardemonstrationwithselectlocalagencies.
“Oncethemodelandcurriculumarere inedbasedonthatpilotphase,”notedDr.Feinstein,“JHFwill
submitthisCHWmodelforstatewideadoption.”
Policy panelist respondent Tomas CHW Program panel moderator, Bruce Block, waits on Aguilar, PA Department of Health A very engaged audience took the opportunity to ask lots of questions of our panelists, responders, and moderators. Policy panel moderator Carl Rush, University of Texas JHF’s COO & CPO Nancy Zionts (L) and Karen Feinstein (R) with member of the Pennsylvania Health Funders Collaborative, including Ann Torregrossa, executive director (fourth from right) 4 Fellows Showcase Apps to Activate Healthcare Consumers, Help them Choose
Wisely during QI2T Health Innovators Fellowship Finale
Carrieisstressedout.Shelooksafterher
elderlyfather,who’sontendifferent
medicationsthathedoesn’talwaysremember
totake.Hesuffersfromneuropathy,which
throwsoffhisbalanceandincreaseshisriskof
falling,andhestrugglestoexplainwhatails
himtohisdoctors.WhatcanCarrie—and
America’s66millioninformalcaregiverslike
her—do?
There’sanappforthat,developedbyan
interdisciplinarygroupofgraduatestudents
participatinginthisyear’sQI2THealth
InnovatorsFellowship.BeginninginJanuary,
30fellowswithbackgroundsinhealthscience,
business,design,computerscience,and
engineeringpartneredwithclinicaland
entrepreneurialmentorstodevelopconcepts
forITproductsthatactivateconsumersand
promotewisehealthcarechoices.OnApril14,
sixteamsoffellowspitchedtheirproductsto
anexpertpanelofentrepreneurs,clinicians,
andconsumeradvocatesfortheopportunityto
wina$5,000prize.
(L‐R): Matthew Niesslein; Lavina Kenkre; mentors Jan Pringle, PhD, University of Pittsburgh and Dr. Neil Busis, UPMC; Michael Arnold Mages; and Laura MazurkeWicz, RN, take home both the pitch competition and fan favorite awards for their CareSupport app. CareSupporttookhometheprizeanda“fan
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald encourages the QI2T favorite”awardbyshowinghowtheirapp
Fellows to continue developing their patient activation apps — and to do so in Pittsburgh. offerscaregivers(like“Carrie”)reliable
informationandresourcestomanagemedications,preventfalls,assesschangesinmentalandphysical
status,communicatewithcarerecipientsandproviders,andreduceanxiety.CareSupport’ssuiteoftools
couldimprovequalityoflifeforcaregiversandtheirlovedoneswhilealsoreducingcostly,preventable
hospitalstaysandinstitutionalizations.
TheQI2TFellowspitchedotherpromisingproductstoinformandactivateconsumers,including
Bactivate(aneducation,healthtracking,andcommunicationappforworkerssufferingfromlowerback
pain),DynaMeds(acostcomparisontoolformedications),fraudMEnot(aphonedevicetorootout
medicalscamsaimedatseniors),InformMe(anapptopromoteinformedconsentbyeducatingpatients
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5 (ConƟnued from page 5)
aboutdiagnosesaswellastreatment
options,risks,andsuccessrates),and
Snooz(aplatformtoincreaseCPAP
adherenceforsleepapneathrough
educationalgames,maskselectiontips,
andtroubleshooting/supportforums).
Thedaysofthepassivepatientarelong
gone,KarenFeinsteinnotedwhile
addressingthefellows.Tech‐savvy
consumersexpecttopartnerwith
providersandcharttheirownhealth
journey.
(L‐R): Reverend Sally Jo Snyder, director of Advocacy and Consumer Engagement for the Consumer Health Coalition; Mark Roberts, MD, professor and chair, Department of Health Policy and Management, Graduate School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine, Industrial Engineering and Clinical and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh; Bryan Kaplan, senior vice president of technology for Intermedix Corporation; and llana Diamond, managing director of AlphaLab Gear evaluate students’ product pitches during the QI2T Fellowship finale. “Weusedtohavethisbeliefthatthere’s
amagicaldoctortomakeyouhealthy,a
magicalpilltocureailments,andamagicalsurgeoniftheothertwofail,”Dr.Feinsteinsaid.“Butthe
bottomlineis,youownyourhealth.Everyday,youmakechoicesaboutwhatyoueat,whetheryou
exercise,whomyougotoforcare,andhowyoulearnaboutsymptoms,treatments,andprevention.The
productscreatedthroughtheQI2TFellowshipwillhelpconsumerssiftthroughthedelugeofhealth
informationandinspirethemtotakeownershipoftheirhealth.”
DebraLam,chiefinnovationandperformanceof icerfortheCity
ofPittsburgh,andAlleghenyCountyExecutiveRichFitzgerald
alsoaddressedthefellows.Lamdescribedhowuniversities,non‐
pro its,andgovernmentworktogethertosupportinformation
transparencyandpatientdecision‐makingthroughinitiativeslike
theRegionalDataResourceCenter.Fitzgeraldmadeapitchofhis
owntothefellows.
“Stayherewhenyou’redonewithschool,”Fitzgeraldsaid.“You
arethenewPittsburgh–youembodytheyoung,entrepreneurial
spiritthathastakenthisregionbacktoprominence.Whenyou
Debra Lam, chief innovation and performance officer for the City of Pittsburgh, explains how visitLawrenceville,EastLiberty,theSouthSide,theStripDistrict
public‐private partnerships make the region a –alloftheseneighborhoodsarecomingbackbecauseofthekind
technological lab. ofinnovationshowcasedheretonight.We’dloveforyouto
continuedevelopingtheseproductsandtechnologiesas
Pittsburghers.”
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2015 QI2T FELLOWSHIP MENTORS
DANIEL BISHOP, QUALARIS
EVAN FACHER, PhD, PITT
JAN PRINGLE, PhD, PITT
NEIL BUSIS, MD, UPMC
ALAN HIRSCHMAN, PhD, PITT
ERIC RODRIGUEZ, MD, UPMC
LYNN BRUSCO, CMU
DAVID LEVENSON, MD, RENAL
ENDOCRINE ASSOCIATION
RALPH SCHMELTZ, MD, ENDOCRINE
METABOLIC CONSULTANTS
JOHN S. MAIER, MD, PhD, PITT
TERRANCE STARZ, MD, UPMC
RICK CANCELLIERE, TREATSPACE
FRANK CIVITARESE, DO, PREFERRED
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS
LARRY MILLER, INNOVATION WORKS
COMPASS: How Champions are Creating Sustainability
ThebigquestionthatloomsovereveryPRHI
projectis,“Isitsustainable?”
TheCOMPASS(CareofMental,Physical,and
SubstanceUseSyndromes)initiativeis
approachingtheendoftheCenterfor
MedicareandMedicaidInnovation(CMMI)’s
grantperiodonJune30.Overthepastthree
years,PRHIhaspartneredwithExcela
Health,PremierMedicalAssociates,andSaint
VincentHealthSystemtoidentifyandengage
PRHI facilitates a quality improvement workshop at Premier Medical patientswithactivedepressionandsub‐
Associates in April of 2015. optimallymanageddiabetesor
cardiovasculardiseaseinCOMPASScare,whichintegratespsychiatrists,asconsultantstotheprimary
careteam,andcaremanagersintoacollaborativecaremanagementmodel.Theyhaveenrolledmore
than730patients—thesecondhighestenrollmentcountamongtheeightCOMPASSimplementation
groupsacrossthecountry.
Amongthoseenrolledforatleastfourmonths:
 72%havesigni icantlyimprovedtheirdepression
 28%achieveddepressionremission
 59%nowhaveanA1c(levelofbloodglucose;theprimarytestusedfordiabetesmanagement)less
than8,and
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 60%nowhaveabloodpressure(measureforhypertension)below140/90whoinitiallyhadan
elevatedbloodpressure.
Everyoneisasking,“What’snext?”ThecommonresponseisnotwhetherCOMPASScollaborativecare
managementwillcontinue,buthowitwillcontinuebasedonlessonslearnedandbestpractices.
PremierMedicalAssociateseffectivelyinnovateswhilebalancingopportunitieswithevidence‐based
approaches.TheirapproachtoCOMPASSisnodifferent.
Premier’sChiefOperatingOf icer,JoanneWall,andDirectorofValueBasedCare,JamesCostlow,MD,are
continuallyconnectingdailyworktoorganizationaloutcomes.That’swhyPRHIisworkingwiththese
leaderstopromoteCOMPASS’sustainabilitybybuildingchampionsfromwithin.
PRHIDirectorofEducationandCoachingMarkValentiisleadingthiseffortby
conductingongoingPerfectingPatientCareSM(PPC)qualityimprovementand
motivationalinterviewing(MI)workshopsforPremier’sleadershipandpractice
teams.Heisalsoworkinginthe ieldwithcarecoordinatorsAmySchultz,RN,and
BethVrbanic,RN,whowereidenti iedaschampionsbytheirsupervisor.
Aschampions,AmyandBethshareCOMPASSresourceswiththeirfellowcare
coordinatorsandidentifyimprovementopportunities.Forqualityimprovement,
BethandMarkreviewoperationalandclinicaldataandworkthroughrootcause
analyses.
Similarly,Amy,whowaspreviouslytrainedinmotivationalinterviewingbyMark,
notonlyutilizesherMIskillsinherworkwithpatients,butisnowdeveloping
Beth Vrbanic (left), RN, coachingskillstohelpfellowcarecoordinatorsadoptmotivationalinterviewing.
and Amy Schultz, RN, PCCs, are sharing COMPASS resources and identifying process improvement opportunities at Premier Medical Associates . WithMark’sguidance,Premierisusingamodi iedMotivationalInterviewing
TreatmentIntegrity(MITI)scaletoassessthecarecoordinators’abilitytolistenfor
“changetalk”duringpatientconversationsandguidepatientstowardbehavior
change.
AsJune30approaches,thePRHIteamistransferringitscoachingandqualityimprovementskillstothe
internalchampions,sotheycontinuetoinnovateintothefuture.
TheprojectdescribedwassupportedbyGrantNumber1C1CMS331048‐01‐00fromtheDepartmentof
HealthandHumanServices,CentersforMedicare&MedicaidServices.Thecontentsofthisarticlearesolely
theresponsibilityoftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyrepresenttheof icialviewsoftheU.S.Departmentof
HealthandHumanServicesoranyofitsagencies.
8 PRHI, Quality Insights Officially Sign QIN-QIO Contract; Newly-Launched Version
of Tomorrow’s HealthCareTM Supports Virtual Learning across 5 States
AnurseinNewJerseywantsadviceonhowtopreventresidentfalls.APennsylvaniaphysicianseeksself‐
managementresourcesforMs.Jones,who’soverwhelmedbyherrecentdiabetesdiagnosis.Arural
practiceinLouisianawantstoimprovepatientoutreachbycrunchingmedicalrecorddata.
Thesehealthcareprofessionalscanturnon‐demandtoaspecialversionofTomorrow’sHealthCareTM,
PRHI’sonlineknowledgenetwork,designedtocatalyzequalityimprovementforprovidersacross ive
statesparticipatinginaQualityInnovationNetwork‐QualityImprovementOrganization(QIN‐QIO)
projectsupportedbytheCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServices(CMS).
PRHIispartneringwithQualityInsights(aCMS‐
contractedQIN‐QIO)toreducehealthdisparities,
promotechronicdiseasemanagement,andlower
costsinPennsylvania,WestVirginia,Delaware,
NewJersey,andLouisiana.Asasubcontractorof
QualityInsights,PRHIisprovidingaccesstovirtual
learningopportunitiesforworkersatalllevels
throughTHC.
PRHIandQualityInsightsof iciallysignedtheir ive
‐year,multi‐milliondollarcontractinApril.QIN‐
QIOparticipantsnowhaveaccesstoTHC’ssuiteof
Lean‐basedPerfectingPatientCareSMtrainingand
educational/trainingopportunitiesthatsupport
projectgoalsrelatedtocardiachealth,diabetes
care,healthIT,long‐termcare,hospital‐acquired
infections,carecoordination,andvalue‐based
qualityreporting.
ThenewversionofTHCfeatures“MyQI
The version of Tomorrow’s HealthCareTM designed for the QIN‐
Communities”dedicatedtoeachofthoseproject
QIO project features “QI Communities” tailored to project goals, where participants can access resources, news, and upcoming goals,whereproviderscanaccessresources,news,
events, and share successes and challenges through a forum. andupcomingevents,aswellassharebest
practicesandpoolthewisdomofthecrowdsthroughablogandforum.TeamsfromPRHIandQuality
Insightsmeetregularlytodevelopnewcontentandresourcesforthegrowingnumberofproviderswho
arejoiningtheQIN‐QIOcontract.
9 Inhaler Training Course Boosts PCRC Staff Confidence, Ensures Smooth Care
Transitions for COPD Patients
Adozennewinhalerproductshaverecentlyhitthemarket,complicatinglifeforCOPDpatientsand
providersalike.Withthesemedicationsfrequentlyprescribedupondischarge,patientsmaybelefttrying
tolearnhowtousethembythemselvesathome.Thatlackofexpert,in‐hospitaleducationhelpsexplain
whyanestimated31%ofpatientsdemonstrateimproperinhalerdosingtechniques—andwhypeople
withchronicconditionslikeCOPDareoftenre‐hospitalized.
ToensurethatCOPDpatientscancon idently,effectivelyusetheirinhalers,PRHIhasdevelopedan
inhalertrainingcourseformorethan30nurses,pharmacists,andrespiratorytherapistsparticipatingin
thePrimaryCareResourceCenter(PCRC)project.InMarchandApril,stafffromthesixPCRChospitals
committedtoreducingreadmissionsandenhancingcaretransitionsreceivednewtoolsandstrategiesto
educatecomplexpatientsaboutusingtheirinhalers.
Duringthree‐hourtrainingsessionsheldatButlerHealthSystem,ConemaughMemorialMedicalCenter,
MonongahelaValleyHospital(thePCRCpilotsite),andWheelingHospital,PCRCstaffengagedingroup
andpersonaltraining,tookonthepatientperspectiveduringrole‐playingexercises,andreceiveda
trainingmanualaswellasakitofplaceboinhalerssopatientscanlearnabouttheirprescribeddevice
beforedischarge.ThesessionswereledbypulmonologistBrianCarlin,MD;MonongahelaValleyHospital
CareManagerSusanCampus,RN;andPRHIQuality
ImprovementSpecialistGlennThomas,RN.
Thestandardizedtrainingprogramfurthersoneof
thePCRCproject’skeytenets:thateveryCOPD
patientadmittedtothehospitalreceivesinhaler
trainingandateach‐backassessmentbeforeshifting
toanothercaresetting.ThetrainingalsohelpsPCRC
staffmasternewdevices,enablingthemtobetterhelp
theirpatients:86%ofthosewhoparticipatedsaid
thattheirknowledgeoftheinhalersincreasedorheld
stable.
InearlyJune,PRHIChiefMedicalOf icerandPCRC
As part of PRHI’s new inhaler training course, more than 30 nurses, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists received a ProjectDirectorKeithKanel,MD,andthePCRCteam
kit of placebo inhalers so their patients are comfortable using the devices before discharge. willsharewithatheirtechniquesforcreatinga
standardizedinhalertrainingprogramacrossmultiple
healthsystemswithanationalaudienceattheCOPDFoundation’sCOPD9usaconferenceinChicago,IL.
Duringanadditionalfourotherpresentationsattheconference,thePCRCteamwillalsosharesuccess
storiesinengagingpatients,integratingpharmacistsintocareteams,reducinghospitalreadmissions,and
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creatingamultidisciplinaryCOPDclinicalpathway.
“WithinthePCRCs,ourgoalistocreateanintegrated
teamthatwilltransformcareintheircommunities,”
saysDr.Kanel.“Theinhalertrainingcoursebolsters
caremanagers’con idence,andhelpsensurethat
patientshaveeverythingtheyneedtothriveoutsideof
thehospital.”
PRHI Quality Improvement Specialist Glenn Thomas, RN, and Indiana Regional Medical Center Care Coordinator Barbara Detwiler, RN, engage in a role‐playing session during the inhaler training course. TheprojectdescribedwassupportedbyFunding
OpportunityNumberCMS‐1C1‐12‐0001fromtheCenters
forMedicare&MedicaidServices.Thecontentsofthis
articlearesolelytheresponsibilityoftheauthorsanddo
notnecessarilyrepresenttheof icialviewsoftheU.S.
DepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesoranyofits
agencies.
PRHI Leadership Invited to the COPD Foundation’s 2nd Readmissions Summit
Byconductingoriginalresearchandexpandingcommunityhospitals’abilitytocoordinatetreatmentfor
patientswithchronicdiseases,PRHI’sPCRCteamhasgainednationalattentionforitsworkinreducing
COPD‐relatedreadmissions.OnMarch26and27,JHFandPRHIBoardMemberLarrySternandKeith
Kanelwereinvitedtocollaboratewithnationalinvestigatorsatthe2ndCOPDReadmissionsSummitin
Washington,DC.
SponsoredbytheCOPDFoundation,the
ReadmissionsSummitbroughttogethernearly200
physicians,scientists,nurses,pharmacists,therapists,
andpatientstoreviewnewdevelopmentsinCOPD
careandplanapathforward.
PRHI Board Member Larry Stern (left) and Chief Medical Officer Keith Kanel, MD, the PCRC project director, at the 2nd COPD Readmissions Summit in Washington, DC . PRHIhasalongstandingpartnershipwiththeCOPD
Foundation,whichprovidedcustomizedtrainingand
spirometerstoPCRCstaffinthefallof2013.
Currently,thetwoorganizationsareworkingtogether
tolaunchthePatient‐PoweredResearchNetwork
(PPRN),afederally‐fundedinitiativetoenroll75,000
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11 (ConƟnued from page 11)
patientsfromacrossthecountryinaCOPDregistrysotheycancommunicatedirectlywithexpertsinthe
ield,discoverclinicaltrials,andparticipateinanonlinelearningcollaborative.
Toconnectsomeofthe6,000‐pluspatientsenrolledinthePCRCswiththePPRNdatabase,Dr.Kanel
hostedawebinaronMarch12withleadershipfromthesixPCRChospitalsitesinPennsylvaniaandWest
Virginia(ButlerHealthSystem,ConemaughMemorialMedicalSystem,IndianaRegionalMedicalCenter,
SharonRegionalHealthSystem,UniontownHospital,andWheelingHospital).
REACH Earns No-Cost Extension from ONC-HIT, Expands
Work into Behavioral Health Integration
Fiveyearsago,theOf iceoftheNationalCoordinatorforHealthIT(ONC‐
HIT)entrustedPRHItoguideprimarycarepracticesandfederallyquali ied
healthcentersimplementingelectronichealthrecordsandworkingtowardmeaningfuluse.ButPRHI’s
RegionalExtensionandAssistanceCenterforHealthInformationTechnology(REACH)teamhasachieved
muchmore,helpinglong‐termcarefacilitiesgodigitalandtransformingpracticesbyenhancingpatients’
careaccess,self‐managementskills,andconnectionstocrucialnon‐medicalservicesthatin luence
health.
TheREACHteam’sfootprintinwesternPennsylvaniawillexpandeven
furtherthrougharecentone‐year,no‐costextensionawardedbyONC‐
HIT.PRHIistheonlyregionalcontractorinPennsylvaniatoearnano‐
costextensionthroughthespringof2016.
REACHwillcontinuetoprovideassistancewithEHRs,trainpracticesin
patient‐centeredmedicalhomeconcepts,andworktoelevatemedical
assistantstothetopoftheirlicensure.ButtheREACHteam’smedical
recordworkisenteringamoreadvancedstage,saysDr.BruceBlock,
PRHI’sChiefLearningandInformaticsOf icer.
PRHI’s REACH team, led by Chief Learning and Informatics Officer Bruce Block, MD, provides assistance with EHRs, trains practices in patient‐
centered medical home concepts, and works to elevate medical assistants to the top of their licensure. “We’reincreasinglyhelpingpracticesmovefromEHRimplementation
tousingtheirsystemtoimprovecare,”Dr.Blocksays.“Forexample,
identifyingadiabeticpatientwhohasn’tbeentotheof iceinsix
monthsandre‐engagingthem.It’saboutminingdatafromthemedical
recordandapplyingitforqualityimprovement.”
TheREACHteamwillalsonowworkwithpracticesonbehavioral
healthintegration,trainingproviderstoidentifypatientswithmental
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12 (ConƟnued from page 12)
healthandsubstanceuseissuesthatoftenexacerbatephysicalconditions.PRHIwillcalluponitstraining
andcoachingexperiencesgainedthroughthemulti‐statePartnersinIntegratedCare(PIC)andCOMPASS
(CareofMental,Physical,andSubstanceUseSyndromes)projects.
“Thoseinitiativespreparedustohelppracticesdeliverintegratedcare,andmakeconnectionsoutsideof
theof icesopatientsarelinkedwithsocialandbehavioralhealthservices,”Dr.Blocksays.“Allofthese
conceptsareessentialtothemedicalhomemodel.Theyemphasizethenotionthathealthhappens
betweenvisits.”
Karen Feinstein Talks Transformative Role of Regional Health Improvement
Collaboratives, New Patient-Provider Relationship at CMU Summit on US-China
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
WhenKarenFeinsteinvisitedtheToyotamuseuminNagoya,Japan,sheexpectedto indatributetopast
productsandprojects.Instead,shediscoveredaforward‐thinkingexampleofthesystem‐wideLean
thinkingthathasmadethecompanya
leaderinquality,safety,andvalue—and
hasinspiredtraining,coaching,andnew
modelsofcareatthePittsburghRegional
HealthInitiative.
“It'samuseumofthefuture,”Dr.Feinstein
saidwhilepresentingatthe2015Carnegie
MellonUniversitySummitonUS‐China
InnovationandEntrepreneurshiponApril
25.“Self‐drivingvehiclesthatpickup
peopleon‐demand,carswithsensorsso
theycan’tcrash.Toyotaharnesses
technology,andanticipates.Thesame
thingisgoingtohappeninhealthcare—
technologyisgoingtotransformwhen,
where,andhowwedelivercare.”
(L‐R): John Vu, director of CMU’s masters‐level Biotechnology Innovation and Computation program and a retired chief engineer and technical fellow for The Boeing Company, moderates a panel discussion on how IT is re‐shaping the world during the 2015 Summit on US‐China Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Panelists include JHF President and CEO Karen Feinstein; David Lu, vice president of Business Solutions Development and Technology Development for AT&T Services, Inc.; Jerome Pesenti, vice president of Core Technology for IBM Watson; Xiaoliang Wei, co‐founder of SmartStudy and SmartPigai; and Kevin Yin, chief technology officer of Cisco Research & Development Center in Greater China. Dr.FeinsteinexplainedhowRegionalHealthImprovementCollaborativeslikePRHIarefosteringtech‐
centeredtransformationduring“ITreSHAPEstheWorld,”apaneldiscussionattheCMUSummit
featuringthoughtleadersinusingITtoeducate,activate,andimprovequalityoflife.TheITpanelwas
partofthetwo‐dayCMUSummit,whichbroughtbusinessleaders,investors,andentrepreneursfromthe
U.S.andChinatogethertoforgepartnershipsthatstimulatetheeconomyonbothsidesofthePaci ic.
(ConƟnued on page 14)
13 (ConƟnued from page 13)
Despitespendingtwiceasmuchonhealthcarethan
anyotherdevelopedcountry,theU.S.lagsbehindin
keymeasuresofpopulationhealth,Dr.Feinstein
noted.That’sbecausetheU.S.hastraditionally
deliveredcareinthewrongsettings,tothewrong
patients,atthewrongtime.RHICslikePRHIare
changingthat,experimentingwithmodelsthatfocus
onpreventionandintegratedphysicaland
behavioralhealth.
“MuchlikeToyotanowfocusesonpreventing
crashes,ratherthankeepingpeoplesafeintheevent
ofacrash,we’refocusedonstrengtheningprimary
careandkeepingpeoplehealthysotheyneverenter
thehospital,”Dr.Feinsteinsaid.
Karen Feinstein explains how Regional Health Improvement Collaboratives like PRHI foster tech‐centered transformation during the 2015 Carnegie Mellon University Summit on US‐
China Innovation and Entrepreneurship on April 25. TheITpanelalsofeaturedDavidLu,vicepresidentof
BusinessSolutionsDevelopmentandTechnology
DevelopmentforAT&TServices,Inc.;JeromePesenti,vicepresidentofCoreTechnologyforIBMWatson;
XiaoliangWei,co‐founderofSmartStudyandSmartPigai;andKevinYin,chieftechnologyof icerofCisco
Research&DevelopmentCenterinGreaterChina.JohnVu,directorofCMU’smasters‐levelBiotechnology
InnovationandComputationprogramandaretiredchiefengineerandtechnicalfellowforTheBoeing
Company,servedasmoderator.
LudiscussedAT&T’sDomain2.0ServicesDesign,acloudcomputinganddatastorageinitiativeto
supportbusinesscollaboration.PesentishowcasedIBM’sWatsonDeveloperCloud,whichtapsinto
Watson’scognitivecomputingpowertoanalyzereamsofdataandprovideinformationthatfuelsthe
creationofdecision‐makingapps.WeiexplainedthatSmartStudyandSmartPigaiformavirtual
educationplatformthatanalyzesusers’responsesandbehaviortooffercustomizedlearningexperiences.
YinsaidthatMoore’sLaw–theconceptthatprocessingpowerdoubleseverytwoyears–isnow
outdated,withthe“doubleengines”ofcomputersandnetworksdrivingevenfastergains.
Suchtechbreakthroughssupportaneweraofengagedhealthcareconsumers,Dr.Feinsteinnoted,and
in luencedthedevelopmentofPRHI’sCenterforHealthInformationActivation(CHIA).
“Today’spatientshaveaccesstounprecedentedamountsofhealthdata,”shesaid.“They’reconcerned
aboutqualityandcost,andthey’retakingresponsibilityfortheirownhealth.Theydon’trelyupon
(ConƟnued on page 15)
14 (ConƟnued from page 14)
doctorsexclusively—theygostraighttoWatsonfordiagnosesandtreatmentoptions.Patientssee
doctorsaspartnersontheirquestforbetterhealth.InitiativeslikeCHIAhelpconsumerscontextualize
newtechnologyandinformation,andsupportthisnewpatient‐providerrelationship.”
Film Screening, Q&A Support Campaign to End
HPV Epidemic
HPV VACCINATION INITIATIVE
MAKING HEADLINES
“LettertotheEditor:GetYourKids
“SomeoneYouLove:TheHPVEpidemic”isa ilmthat
VaccinatedAgainstHPV’(PittsburghPost‐
documentsthehardshipsof ivewomentouchedbyhuman
Gazette)
papillomavirus(HPV)‐relatedcancer—howthevirusravaged
“GrandmotherPowerThrowsWeight
theirhealth,personalrelationships,andbodyimage.OnApril
BehindHPVVaccinationEffort”(Pittsburgh
25,JHFpartneredwithPlannedParentofWestern
Tribune‐Review)
Pennsylvania(PPWP)forascreeningeventtoeducatethe
communityonhowvaccinationcanpreventouradolescents
andyoungadultsfromenduringsimilarstrugglesbyprotectingthemagainstHPV‐relatedcancers.
ThescreeningwasheldatRowHouseCinemainLawrenceville,followedbyapaneldiscussionandQ&A
withlocalHPVexpertsandindividualsaffectedbythevirus.TheeventfurtheredJHF’scampaignto
eradicatepreventableHPV‐relatedcancersbyboostinguptakeratesoftheHPVvaccine.
(L‐R): JHF COO/CPO Nancy Zionts moderates a panel discussion and Q&A on the HPV virus featuring Frederic Lumiere, director of “Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic”; Planned Parenthood volunteer Audrey Baldwin; Richard Guido, MD, professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Thepanel,moderatedbyNancyZionts,
featuredAudreyBaldwin,ayoungstudentand
PlannedParenthoodvolunteerwhosemother
passedawayfromcervicalcancer;DavidA.
Clump,MD,PhD,aradiationoncologistat
UPMCShadysideRadiationOncology;Richard
Guido,MD,professorintheDepartmentof
Obstetrics,GynecologyandReproductive
Sciences,DivisionofGynecologicSpecialtiesat
Magee‐WomensResearchInstituteand
Foundation;and ilmdirectorFrederic
Lumiere.
Lumieresaidthathewas“shockedinto
makingthe ilm”whenhelearnedthatHPV‐
relatedcancerscanbepreventedbyvaccination.Dr.Guidoprovidedanoverviewofthethree‐doseHPV
vaccine,whichiscoveredbyinsuranceorthefederalVaccinesforChildrenprogram.Thevaccineis
recommendedforboysages11‐21andgirlsages11‐26,andcanreducetheriskofdevelopingHPV‐
(ConƟnued on page 16)
15 (ConƟnued from page 15)
relatedcervical,vaginal,vulvar,anal,back‐of‐the‐throat,andpenilecancersbyupto99%.
Baldwintoldtheaudiencethatnooneelseshouldhavetogothroughthepainthathermotherandfamily
haveexperienced.ShehopesforafuturewithoutHPV‐relatedcancers.
Ifyouareinterestedinhostinga ilmscreeningofyourown,pleasecontactHPVProgramCoordinator
SueSteeleat412‐586‐6710orsteele@jhf.org.
Closure Continues in Harrisburg to Promote Statewide End-of-Life Policy
Change
SinceOctoberof2014,morethan60medicalprofessionals,clergy,socialworkers,academics,policy‐
makers,andcommunityadvocatesinHarrisburghaveparticipatedinClosuresessionstoenhanceend‐of‐
lifecareintheirlocalcommunities.Now,theHarrisburggroupisworkingtoensurethatpatientsand
familiesacrossPennsylvaniahavetheirdesiredend‐of‐lifeexperience.
Harrisburgcompletedthesix‐sessionClosureseriesinMarch,butthegrouphelda irst‐everseventh
sessiononApril20focusedonadvancingstate‐widepolicyonpalliativeandend‐of‐lifecare.Thegroup
invitedNancyZiontstoprovideanoverviewofsuccessfulinitiativesinotherstatesandweighinon
policyrecommendationsdevelopedaspartofthegroup’sClosurecommunityactionplan.
Ziontsorganizedandmoderatedapanel
discussionontherecommendationsalong
withDavidKelley,MD,MPA,chiefmedical
of icerforthePennsylvaniaDepartmentof
HumanServices;JudithBlack,MD,MHA,
medicaldirectorforseniormarketsat
Highmarkandanexecutivecommittee
memberoftheNationalPhysicianOrders
forLife‐SustainingTreatment(POLST)
ParadigmTaskForce;andAnnTorregrossa,
executivedirectorofthePennsylvania
HealthFundersCollaborative.Harrisburg
philanthropistBobHaighfacilitatedthe
(L‐R): David Kelley, MD, MPA, chief medical officer for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services; Ann Torregrossa, executive director of paneldiscussion.
TheHarrisburggroup’spolicy
recommendationsincludedpromotingthe
the Pennsylvania Health Funders Collaborative; and Nancy Zionts discuss policies that could enhance end‐of life care. Philanthropist Bob Haigh facilitated the panel discussion, which also included (not pictured) Judith Black, MD, MHA, medical director for senior markets at Highmark and an executive committee member of the National POLST Paradigm Task Force. (ConƟnued on page 17)
16 (ConƟnued from page 16)
useofPOLSTformstodocumenttreatmentpreferencesofseriouslyillpatients,encouragingpain
managementandpalliativecare,andtransformingmedicaleducationsothatburgeoninghealthcare
professionalsareequippedtoconfrontend‐of‐lifeissues.TheHarrisburggroupwillcontinuemeetingto
advancetheirend‐of‐lifepriorities.
“Whileallofthepanelistsagreedthatchangingmedicaleducationiscrucial,wechallengedthe
Harrisburggrouptonotstopthere,”Ziontssays.“Anygraduatestudentwhomaycareforthosedealing
withalife‐threatingorlife‐limitingillness—includingthoseinnursing,pharmacy,andsocialwork—
shouldlearnhowtofacilitatetheseconversations.Thatinterdisciplinaryapproachisakeycomponentof
ournewFellowshiponDeathandDying.Wefeelthatthereshouldalsobecontinuingeducation
opportunitiesforproviders,soprofessionalsareupdatingtheirlearningaboutpatient‐centeredend‐of‐
lifecarethroughouttheircareers.”
JHF Facilitates Care Planning Conversations on National Healthcare Decisions
Day
NationalHealthcareDecisionsDayprovidesaplatformforindividualstodiscussanddocumenttheirend‐
of‐lifecarepreferenceswithlovedonesandmedicalprofessionals.JHFpromotesadvancecareplanning
andend‐of‐lifeconversationsyear‐roundthroughitsClosureeducation,planning,andoutreachprogram,
leadershipoftheCoalitionforQualityattheEndofLife(CQEL),andeducatorroleintheRAVENskilled
nursinginitiative.ButonApril16,Foundationstaffdevotedtimetohelptheircolleaguesengagein
As part of National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16, JHF staff hold “office hours” to discuss advance care planning and end‐of‐
life treatment with their colleagues. From brochures to creative nonfiction to Physician Orders for Life‐Sustaining Treatment forms, JHF staff offered a variety of resources to stimulate care planning discussions. (ConƟnued on page 18)
17 (ConƟnued from page 17)
dif icult,yetparamounttalksontheneedtosetinwritingdesiredmedicaltreatmentsandadesignated
healthcaredecision‐makerintheeventofalife‐limitingillnessresultingintheinabilitytomake
healthcaredecisionsforyourself.
Nancy Zionts moderates Panel on Improving End-of-Life Care during 2015 JFilm
Festival
Aspartofits2015FilmFestival,JFilmfeaturedascreeningofFarewellPartyattheManorTheateron
April19.Themovieexaminestheverysensitiveandcontroversialissueofassistedsuicide,withagroup
ofseniorcitizenstakingmattersintotheirownhandswhenafriendisbeingkeptaliveagainsthiswishes.
AlthoughJHFdidnotsponsorthescreening,NancyZiontswasinvitedtomoderateapaneldiscussion
followingthemoviewithexpertsinend‐of‐lifeandpalliativecarewhospotlightedshortcomingsinthe
currentsystemandidenti iedimprovementopportunities.
TheexpertpanelfeaturedDr.BobArnold,medicaldirectorofUPMC’sPalliativeandSupportiveInstitute
andaprofessorofmedicineattheUniversityofPittsburgh’sDivisionofGeneralInternalMedicine;Rabbi
EliSeidman,directorofpastoralcareattheJewishAssociationonAging;andDr.ArvindVenkat,vice
chairofResearchandFacultyAcademicAffairsatAlleghenyHealthNetwork’sDepartmentofEmergency
MedicineandethicsconsultantforAlleghenyGeneralHospital.Thepanelunanimouslyagreedthatthere
areavarietyofwaystobetterservepatientsandfamilieswhoareconfrontedwithalife‐limitingillness.
During the 2015 JFilm Festival, (L‐R) Nancy Zionts; Dr. Bob Arnold, medical director of UPMC’s Palliative and Supportive Institute and a professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh’s Division of General Internal Medicine; Rabbi Eli Seidman, director of pastoral care at the Jewish Association on Aging; and Dr. Arvind Venkat, vice chair of Research and Faculty Academic Affairs at Allegheny Health Network’s Department of Emergency Medicine and ethics consultant for Allegheny General Hospital take part in a panel discussion on palliative and end‐of‐life care. 18 National Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony at Community Day School
Thelegacyofanti‐Semitism—andthehealingpowerofcommunity—isimbuedineachofthe6million
sodapoptabsthatformthe“KeepingTabsontheHolocaust”sculptureatCommunityDaySchool(CDS)
inSquirrelHill.Thosetabs,representingliveslostintheHolocaust,werecollectedbyCDSstudents,
faculty,parents,andcommunitymembersovernearlytwodecades.Throughthesupportofnumerous
partners,includingaleadershipgiftfromJHF,theStar‐of‐David‐shapedmemorialatthecornerof
ForwardAvenueandBeechwoodBoulevardismeanttoimpressuponvisitorsthescope,scale,and
tragedyoftheHolocaust.
DuringYomHashoah(HolocaustRemembranceDay)onApril16,CDSheldanoutdoorceremonyatthe
KeepingTabssculpturefeaturingmusic,prayerreadings,acandle‐lightingservice,andakeynoteaddress
byHolocaustsurvivorMosheBaran.
JHF’sgift,whichenabledtheprojecttobreakgroundandbuildadditionalsupporttowarditseventual
completion,ismarkedbya“gatheringspace”forvisitorstothememorial.Overtheyears,NancyZionts
(formerCDSboardchair)andPatSiger(formerco‐chairofthepoptabprojectandcurrentPRHIboard
chair)playedleadershiprolesinensuringthatfuturegenerationshaveaspacetolearnaboutandhonor
thosewhoperishedintheHolocaust.
Bill Walter (at the podium) addresses the crowd during a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Community Day School on April 16. Walter played an integral role in creating the “Keeping Tabs on the Holocaust” sculpture, challenging his students to honor those who perished by collecting the six million pop tabs that now fill the monument’s glass blocks. JHF’s support of the “Keeping Tabs” initiative includes a gathering space for visitors to the memorial. 19 Regional HIV Collaborative Working to Eliminate Care Gaps, Missed Chances to
Treat Co-Infected Clients
TheFoundationhostedthe ifthRegionalHIVCollaborativemeetingattheQI2TCenteronApril1,
gathering30‐plusstakeholderscommittedtostrengtheningHIVservicesinsouthwesternPennsylvania.
AIDSserviceproviders,of icialsfromthecountyandstatehealthdepartments,clinicians,and
researchersdiscussedcoordinatingservicesforclientsco‐infectedwithasexually‐transmitteddisease,
shiftingcarefromclinicstoneighborhoods,andensuringthatclientshaveavoiceintheCollaborative.
JHFformedandfacilitatestheCollaborative,a
partnershipbetweenmorethan15provider,
consumer,andcommunityactivistgroups.During
themeeting,tworepresentativesfromthe
PennsylvaniaDepartmentofHealth—Kenneth
McGarvey,directoroftheHIV/AIDSDivisionand
SteveKowalewski,aseniorpublichealthadvisor
fromtheTuberculosis/STDDivision—
demonstratedtheimportanceofeliminating
missedopportunitiestotreatco‐infectedclients.
Three‐quartersofthosewhotestedpositivefor
HIVinAlleghenyCountybetween2011‐14also
hadasexually‐transmitteddisease,McGarveyand
Kowalewskinoted.WhenHIV‐positiveindividuals
areco‐infectedwithanSTD,theirriskof
transmittingHIVincreases ivefold.McGarveyand
KowalewskisaidthatthePittsburghregionhastheconcentrationofcases,infrastructure,andengaged
leadershiptodeveloparesponseplanthatcanbeusedacrosstheCommonwealth.Toeliminatemissed
treatmentopportunities,stakeholdersshouldworktoreducebarrierstocare,increaseaccessto
AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartmentservices,andeducatethecommunity—particularlyHIV‐positive
youthwhoaccountforadisproportionatepercentageofSTDcases.
Steve Kowalewski, a senior public health advisor from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Tuberculosis/STD Division, tells HIV Collaborative members that Pittsburgh has the infrastructure and engaged leadership to develop a response plan to the rising number of HIV‐positive individuals who are co‐infected with an STD. MikeHellman,vicepresidentofALPHAPittsburgh,thendiscussedstrategiestoengageconsumersinthe
Collaborative.InadditiontotappingexistingconsumernetworksfromorganizationsincludingOpen
Door,PERSAD,thePittMen’sStudy,andProjectSilk,theCollaborativeplanstosolicitfeedbackthrough
townhallmeetings,patientsurveys,andsocialmedia.
20 SNAP Healthy Eating Program Coming to Pittsburgh; Henry L. Hillman
Foundation and JHF Provide Supporting Funds
SupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP)participantsinthePittsburghregionwillhave
greaterpurchasingpowerforfruitsandvegetablesthankstoafederally‐fundedpilotprojectdesignedto
encouragehealthyeating.Onceimplementedinthe irstyearofthethree‐year
program,Pittsburgh’sSNAPuserswillreceiveanadditional$2in“FoodBucks”for
freshproduceforevery$5theyspendatcertainfarmer’smarketsaspartofthe
U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture’snewFoodInsecurityNutritionIncentive(FINI)
program.
TheUSDArecentlyannouncedatotalof$31.5millioninFINIgrants,whichwill
supportSNAPhealthyeatinginitiativesin26states.TheFoodTrust,aPhiladelphia
‐basedorganization,receiveda$500,000grantforathree‐year,communitybased‐
projectthatexpandsitsFoodBucksprogramtoPittsburghthroughapartnership
withJustHarvest,HenryL.HillmanFoundation,andJHF.JHFisprovidingsmallgrantsoverthethree‐
yearperiodtosupportthelocalFoodBucksprogram.
Delegate Assembly Supports Education, Screening for Jewish Genetic Diseases
TheJewishFederationofGreaterPittsburghhelditssemi‐annualDelegateAssemblyonApril27,
gatheringstakeholderstoestablishandadvancecrucialpublicadvocacyeffortswithintheJewish
community.Duringthemeeting,theDelegateAssemblyapprovedaresolutiontopromoteappropriate
educationandpre‐conceptionscreeningforthegrowinglistof
preventableJewishgeneticdiseases.Thecommunityresolutionwas
sponsoredbyJHF,HillelJewishUniversityCenterofPittsburgh,and
theJewishCommunityCenterofGreaterPittsburgh.
NearlyaquarterofJewishindividualsareacarrierforatleastone
Jewishgeneticdisease.JHFservesasthe iscalagentandisan
advisorycommitteememberforJGenesPgh,whichraisesawareness
aboutAshkenaziJewishgeneticdiseasesandprovidesinformationandscreeningtoat‐riskyoungadults.
JHFConsultantDodieRoskies,MPH,servesasexecutivedirectorofJGenesPgh.
JHF Recognized as Champion for Health Insurance Coverage by CMS
JHF,alongwithmanycommunitypartners,hasstrivedtoconnectuninsuredindividualsandfamiliesin
ourregionwithaffordablehealthinsuranceplansthroughtheHealthInsuranceMarketplace.In
(ConƟnued on page 22)
21 (conƟnued from page 21)
recognitionofJHF’shealthinsuranceenrollmentefforts,
theCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServices(CMS)
recentlyrecognizedtheFoundationasaChampionfor
Coverage.
TheFoundationhasservedasaconnectingpointfor
localagenciesofferingcomplementaryoutreachand
enrollmentassistance.WithsupportfromThe
PittsburghFoundation,HighmarkFoundation,The
HeinzEndowments,JHF,andStauntonFarm
Nancy Zionts facilitates a community meeting with Foundation,JHFprovidedalmost$150,000inmini‐grants local market outreach and enrollment partners. tosupportenrollmentoutreacheffortsoforganizations
suchastheUnitedWayofAlleghenyCounty(UWAC)andtheConsumerHealthCoalition(CHC)forkey
sharedresources,includingthehiringofUWAC’sHarrietBaumasacommunityenrollmentcoordinator.
Throughinitiativeslikethese,morethan318,000Pennsylvaniansgainedhealthinsurancecoverage
throughthemarketplaceduringthe irstopenenrollmentperiod(October2013toMarch2014),and
morethan472,000signedupforcoverageduringthesecondenrollmentperiod(November2014to
February2015).
Nancy Zionts Shares JHF’s History,
Community Impact in Lancaster
OnApril20,NancyZiontswasinvitedtodiscuss
JHF’s25‐yearhistoryingrant‐makingandcreating
community‐wideopportunitieswithboard
membersandstafffromtheLancasterOsteopathic
HealthFoundation.Createdin1999withassets
fromthesaleoftheCommunityHospitalof
Lancaster,theLancasterOsteopathicHealth
Nancy Zionts (far right) discussed JHF’s 25‐year history of grant Foundationisdedicatedtoprovidingadvancement
‐making with Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation Executive Director Anna Kennedy (next to Nancy) and trustees. opportunitiesforhealthcareprofessionalsand
strengtheningbehavioralhealthservicesfor
children.
22 JHF-Supported Geriatric Care Initiative Featured in American Journal of HealthSystem Pharmacy
TheAprileditionoftheAmericanJournalHealth‐SystemPharmacyfeatures
UPMCSt.Margaret’sPharmacistCollaborativePracticeModel(PPCM),an
initiativetoprovidecontinuousmedicationmanagementforgeriatric
patientsacrossinpatient,outpatient,andseniorcampussettings.
ThePPCMaimstoeliminatemedication‐relatederrorsassociatedwithcare
transitionsbyintegratingpharmacistsintointerdisciplinaryteamsthat
includephysicians,nurses,mentalhealthspecialists,andsocialworkers.
Eachgeriatricpatienthasadesignatedpharmacist‐physicianpairinboth
inpatientandoutpatientsettings,whoshareinformationonthepatient’s
historyandmedicationsintheeventofacaretransition.
ThecollaborativepracticemodelisbeingevaluatedbyUPMCSt.Margaret’s
Pharmacist‐ledInterventionsonTransitionsofSeniors(PIVOTS)team,
whichreceivedfundingfromJHFaswellastheAmericanSocietyofHealth‐SystemPharmacistsResearch
andEducationFoundationandthePennsylvaniaPharmacistsEducationalFoundation.
JHF Hosts Eisenhower Fellow Focused on Strengthening
Saudi Arabian Primary Care
AsdirectorofbusinessrelationsforBupaArabia,SaudiaArabia’slargest
healthinsurer,FehrNazeristakingonthechallengeofcreatingoutpatient
clinicsforobstetrics,pediatrics,familymedicine,dentalcare,anddiabetes
treatmentthatoffergreateraccessandquality.OnApril21,the2015
EisenhowerFellowmetwithDr.BruceBlockattheJHFof iceaspartofaU.S.
triptolearnmoreaboutthekeyelementsofhigh‐qualityprimarycare.
Duringhistrip,NazeralsometwiththecardiacICUteamatForbesRegionalHospitalandtouredIndiana
RegionalMedicalCenter,oneofthesitesparticipatinginPRHI’sPCRCproject.
Debra L. Caplan Honored by Pittsburgh City Council for Distinguished Career,
Devotion to the Community
LongtimeJHFBoardofTrusteesSecretaryandHealthCareersFuturesBoardmemberDebraL.Caplan
recentlyannouncedherretirementafter27yearsinseniorleadershippositionsatWestPennAllegheny
(conƟnued on page 24)
23 (conƟnued from page 23)
HealthSystemandAlleghenyHealthNetwork.InhonorofDebra’s
commitmenttohealthcareexcellenceandthecommunity,
PittsburghCityCouncilissuedaproclamationdeclaringthatApril
2015wasDebraL.CaplanMonth.WeatJHFcongratulateDebon
herdistinguishedcareerandcontinuedworkwithJHF,HCF,and
themanyotherorganizationsinwhichsheplaysleadershiproles.
Debra L. Caplan (center) is honored by Pittsburgh City Council for her commitment to healthcare excellence and the community. PRHI Receives PCRC Project Funding Extension
PRHIreceivedapprovalfromtheCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServicesforano‐costextensionfor
thePrimaryCareResourceCenterProject,enablingPRHItocontinuetotakeunusedprojectfundingand
extendgrant‐fundedPCRCprojectsupportforourPCRChospitalpartnersintothefall.
Asofthelastreportingperiod,endingMarch30,2015,PCRCstaffhadengagedmorethan10,000target
disease—chronicobstructivepulmonarydisease(COPD),heartfailure(HF),andacutemyocardial
infarction(AMI)—admissions.ThecombinedCOPD/HF/AMI30‐dayall‐causereadmissionratewas4.1%
lowerthanthelikequarteroneyearearlier,andthe30‐dayall‐causeemergencydepartmentvisitrate
hadfallen8.2%.
“OurPCRChospitalpartnersarethrilledaboutthis,asisPRHI,”saysPCRCProjectDirectorKeithKanel.
“Theno‐costextensionenablesustopreservenearly$1.5millioningrantfundingtosustainthePCRC
projectinto2015;tocontinuethePCRCprotocolsinourPennsylvaniaandWestVirginiahospitals.Italso
giveustheopportunitytofurtherexplorethepositiveimpactwehavebeenseeingsincelate2014,and
re ineelementsoftheprojecttomakeitevenbetter.”
ThePCRCservestoimprovethetransitionsofcarefromhospitaltooutpatientcarefortargetpatient
populationsatriskforhighreadmissions,ensuringtheycontinuetogettheeducationandsupportthey
needinordertokeepthemfromreturningtothehospital.PatientswithCOPD,HF,andAMIaccountfor
thethreemostfrequentcausesforreadmissiontoPCRChospitalswithin30days.
24