Bread for the City is Gleaning for GoodTuesday, August 9, 2011 1. CHC in the News: Bread for the City is Gleaning for Good
2. Article: Legislation would extend promise of EHRs to underserved communities
3. Article: CDC finds HIV infection increasing in young gay, bisexual men
4. Article: Washington Hospital Center safety program seeks to catch 'near-misses'
5. Article: New tech institute at CNMC to be led by Toronto doctor
6. Article: UMd., Hopkins docs to advise on new medical home program
7. Article: The health care world must learn convoluted new billing codes
8. Article: VA official established 'Blue Button' system to help veterans with EHRs
9. Update: Presidential Proclamation - National Health Center Week
10. Update: National Health Center Week – August 7th -13th 1. CHC in the News: Get Out and Give Back: Gleaning for Good
By Jane Hess Collins, Washington Life Magazine, August 8, 2011 Summary: Parker Farms partnered with Bread for the City for the last three years, allowing volunteers to haul away their leftover produce to feed more than 100,000 of the District's hungriest residents. On a road trip with Bread for the City to the cornfields, 25 volunteers discovered some surprising facts about corn and how much is really available to feed the hungry. Tonya Hamilton, Bread for the City's AmeriCorps-HealthCorps member and director of Glean for the City, estimated nearly 1,000 of the District's homeless and hungry will have the chance to taste the corn that the volunteers gleaned. Hamilton plans a return trip to Parker Farms in October to harvest the leftover broccoli. [For more info on the placement of HealthCorps members at your community health center or place of business, contact DCPCA Senior Community Relations Manager Eric Vicks at (202) 638-0252, extension 221.] 2. Article: Legislation Would Extend Promise of EHRs to Underserved Communities
MDnews.com, August 4, 2011
Summary: The American Academy of Physician Assistants welcomed legislation to amend the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act to extend electronic health record Medicaid incentive payments to all physician assistants who meet the act’s criteria in serving Medicaid patients. The Health IT Modernization for Underserved Communities Act of 2011, H.R. 2729, was filed earlier this week by Reps. Karen Bass (D-CA) and Lee Terry (R-NE). The amendment to the HITECH Act would apply to PAs whose patient volume includes at least 30% Medicaid recipients. The HITECH Act currently offers the incentive payments to physicians and nurse practitioners who provide primary care to the requisite 30% threshold of Medicaid recipients, but limits the EHR incentive payments for Medicaid services provided by physician assistants in rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers with PAs at the helm. [DCPCA's eHealthDC helps health care providers in the District achieve efficient, productive, and meaningful use of EHRs. There are currently 629 providers in the eHealthDC Community. For more info, email in...@ehealthdc.org or call (202) 638-0252, extensions 238 and 246.] 3. Article: National average stable; CDC finds HIV infection increasing in young gay, bisexual men
By Phil Reese, Washington Blade, August 3, 2011 Summary: Though nation-wide the average new infection rate for HIV hovered at 50,000 new cases a year, from 2006-2009 new infections among young men who have sex with men increased 34%. The rise in new infection rates among black men who have sex with men ages 13-29, increased 48% from 4,400 to 6,500. Men who have sex with men accounted for 61% of all new HIV infections in 2009. We cannot allow the health of a new generation of gay men to be lost to a preventable disease, said the director of CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. It's time to renew the focus on HIV among gay men and confront the homophobia and stigma that accompany this disease. [DCPCA CEO Sharon Baskerville serves on the Mayor's Commission on HIV/AIDS.] 4. Article: Washington Hospital Center safety program seeks to catch 'near-misses'
By Lena H. Sun, The Washington Post, August 2, 2011, 2011 Summary: As hospitals across the country are under growing pressure to reduce medical mistakes, the Hazard Alerting Loop system is designed to catch near misses before they turn into serious hazards. The shocking errors, such as operations on the wrong limb, get everyone's attention. What's harder to catch are the close calls that could hurt patients. The alert system encourages frontline personnel to report, anonymously if they prefer, even the smallest issues. The safety team at Washington Hospital Center thought it had a simple solution for identifying patients at risk of falling: have them wear yellow wristbands and yellow socks with nonskid soles to prevent slipping. Except the socks themselves turned out to be a danger because many were too big. Instead of averting falls, they were increasing the chance of taking a tumble. 5. Article: New tech institute at Children's National Medical Center to be led by Toronto doctor
By Ben Fischer, Washington Business Journal, August 5, 2011 Summary: Children's National Medical Center hired a Toronto surgeon to lead its nascent technology transfer program. Dr. Peter Kim will serve as vice president of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, an initiative funded by the $150 million donation in 2009 from the government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Besides overseeing the day-to-day operations of the institute, Kim will pursue his own research in developing surgical tools and simulation technologies. He replaces Dr. Kurt Newman, the hospital's previous top surgeon-executive, who will become CEO of the Northwest DC hospital on Sept. 1. 6. Article: UMd., Hopkins docs to advise on new medical home program
By Scott Dance, Washington Business Journal, August 4, 2011
Summary: A group of doctors and nurses from the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University formed to advise participants in a statewide pilot program aiming to cut health care costs. They're joining with officials from the Maryland Health Care Commission and Community Health Resource Commission to form the Maryland Learning Collaborative. The collaborative will train and educate primary care practices taking part in the pilot Maryland Multi-Payer Patient-Centered Medical Home program. Primary care doctors act as home bases for patients and work with them and their specialists, hospitals, and home care providers to make health care decisions. The program aims to make health care more effective and efficient in the state, and the collaborative will be looking at how to best put it into practice. 7. Article: The health care world must learn convoluted new billing codes that divvy up victims of floods, tidal waves and torrential rains
By Ben Fischer, Washington Business Journal, August 5, 2011 Summary: After Oct. 1, 2013, billing codes on reimbursement claims sent to your insurance plan will get a lot more complicated. The federal government is ordering the transition to the much more complicated medical coding system, known in clinical circles as the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases. The old system had ~18,000 ways to code various medical diagnoses and procedures. The new one has ~155,000 ways. The old version is too basic to capture data crucial to modern reform efforts in public health, medical business, and public policy. Providers and insurers must shoulder the financial burden to prepare for this extraordinary effort. They must educate employees, upgrade their technology, coordinate with vendors and clients, and not miss a beat on actually providing health care. 8. Article: VA official Kim Nazi established 'Blue Button' system to help veterans print or download their medical records
Partnership for Public Service, August 8, 2011 Summary: The Blue Button system allows veterans to use Myhealth.va.gov to print copies or download digital files of their health data, providing instant access to critical information, and promoting personal management of their own health care. Unlike electronic health records that are owned and controlled by doctors, the health records available through the Department of Veterans Affair's Blue Button system are owned and controlled by the individual. This allows patients to take their health records to different appointments and doctors. The data can provide doctors with quick access to patient medications, allergies, and medical histories, and can make a big difference in a medical emergency. 9. Update: Presidential Proclamation - National Health Center Week
The White House, August 5, 2011 Summary: President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring August 7th - 13th National Health Center Week. The president encourages all Americans to celebrate this week by visiting their local community health center, meeting local health center providers, and exploring the programs they offer to help keep their families healthy. 10. Update: National Health Center Week – August 7 -13
National Association of Community Health Centers, August 2011 Summary: The second week of August each year is dedicated to recognizing the service and contributions of community, migrant, homeless, and public housing health centers in providing access to affordable, high quality, cost-effective health care to medically vulnerable and underserved people in the U.S. "Celebrating America's Health Centers: Serving Locally, Leading Nationally" is NACHC's theme for National Health Center Week 2011. This theme highlights the more than 45-year record of health centers in providing affordable, high quality, cost-effective health care to all people -- regardless of ability to pay. NHCW 2011 provides an opportunity to focus on the progress made towards fulfilling the goal of NACHC's "Access for All America" plan to provide a health care home to 30 million patients by 2015. Each year, the week also sets aside three days to focus on special populations who are often left outside of the mainstream health care system. Tuesday, August 9th will be observed as Health Care in Public Housing Day, followed by Health Care for the Homeless Day observed on Wednesday, August 10th, and Farmworker Health Day recognized on Thursday, August 11th. America's CHCs now serve 20+ million people (including 925,000 farmworkers and nearly 940,000 people who are homeless) in 7,000 communities in all 50 states, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Victory Over Diabetes!
Saturday, August 13th, 10 am
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Cooking demonstrations, exercise demos, and free health screenings and diabetes health information classes. The event will provide a full day program for people with diabetes, those at risk for diabetes, and anyone interested in healthy living. View the ADA's Save-the-Date flier (in English), and ADA's Save-the-Date flier (en Español). For more info, contact Melody Poindexter at (202) 331-8303. Special guest appearances from the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown, and celebrity spokesperson, Alana Beard, of the Washington Mystics. Sponsored by the National Capital Area American Diabetes Association. FREE admission, but you must register online. UDC-DCSL Annual Community Service Opportunities Fair
Wednesday, August 17th, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
4200 Connecticut Avenue NW, Building 39, Room 205 (second floor)
All students of the University of the District of Columbia – David A. Clarke School of Law provide a minimum of 40 hours of pro bono community service during their first year of law school. Meet the next generation of public interest lawyers. UDC-DCSL will provide space for you to meet with students and set out your materials. Please RSVP to this invitation by clicking the following link. For more info, contact Karen Forman, Director, Public Interest and Clinical Programs. Get HAPPY Roller Skating
Saturdays - August 20th, September 10th, 1 - 5 pm
Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion
1900 Anacostia Drive SE (north end)
Bring the family to roller skate for free and receive exciting health and wellness information and resources. For 2011 HAPPY Partnership Information, contact abanin...@gmail.com or (202) 439-6343. Health Activities Promotion Project for You (HAPPY) is presented by Aban Institute and Associations, Inc. Support is provided by the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative and the DOH Tobacco Free Ward 8 Network. Save-the-Date -- Saturday, October 1st -- Annual Wellness Fair. DCPCA's 2011 Annual Meeting
Presented by 
Thursday, October 27th, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University
800 Florida Avenue NE
Please plan to attend our 14th Annual Meeting as we continue on our journey to achieve 100 percent health equity in the District of Columbia. Stay tuned for updates on our annual meeting. For additional information, contact Anastacia Arons, DCPCA Development and Communications Specialist, at (202) 638-0252, extension 217. Become a Sponsor for DCPCA's 14th Annual Meeting. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Karen Pierce, DCPCA Director of Development and Communications, at (202) 638-0252, extension 211. More Events... DCPCA Job Postings EHR Trainer, DCPCA HIE Implementation Specialist, DCPCA Network Support Analyst, DCPCA Community Health Center Job Postings Family Practitioner, Mary's Center - Georgia Avenue NW (posted August 2011) Administrative Medical Director, Mary's Center - Ontario Road NW (posted July 2011) Development Director, Mary's Center -- to start immediately (posted July 2011) Family Practitioner, Mary's Center (posted July 2011) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mary's Center (posted July 2011) Registered Nurse, Spanish Catholic Center of Catholic Charities (Division of Immigrant/Refugee Services) (posted July 2011)
Medical Assistant, Spanish Catholic Center of Catholic Charities (Division of Immigrant/Refugee Services) (posted July 2011) Other Job Postings Volunteers, Citiwide Computer & Nursing Assistant Center More Job Postings... New DCPCA Program eHealthDC
One of 62 federally-subsidized Regional Extension Centers, eHealthDC offers technical assistance, guidance, and information on best practices to support and accelerate adoption of electronic health records. eHealthDC is a neutral source and trusted advisor for credible EHR and health information technology -- offering direct, individualized, and on-site technical assistance to help more than 1,000 providers in DC achieve meaningful use and collect Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Incentive Payments. eHealthDC is committed to working with any provider -- regardless of specialty, affiliation, chosen EHR, or status of implementation. Currently, there are 575 providers in the eHealthDC community. Join now before the funding runs out! For more information, visit eHealthDC online, send an email to in...@eHealthDC.org, or call (202) 638-0252, extensions 238 and 246. You may follow eHealthDC on Twitter, like eHealthDC on Facebook, and connect with eHealthDC on LinkedIn. eHealthDC is a DCPCA program. DCPCA is Seeking Nominations for "Unsung Hero" Awards
Nominate someone special -- administrative or clinical -- whose exceptional dedication has been inspiring during our journey to health equity. DCPCA will present an "Unsung Hero" Award to each nominee during our 2011 Annual Meeting -- presented by Kaiser Permanente -- on Thursday, October 27, 2011. Simply complete the "Unsung Hero" Nomination Form and return it to us by Wednesday, October 5th. Please provide a specific example of why your nominee is a *star* and deserves to be recognized. We want to be able to share their story. Feel free to contact Anastacia Arons, DCPCA Development and Communications Specialist, at (202) 638-0252, extension 217, if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at our annual meeting this year! Free Training Your Role in Cancer Treatment Clinical Trials:
Washington DC Primary Care Provider Education Program
Ensuring Quality Cancer Care: Free Training with CME/CNE at Your Community Health Center
Primary care providers have an important role in ensuring patient access to quality specialty care. Your patients who are diagnosed with cancer need to understand all their treatment options. Participate in a free training program at your health center. The training is designed to enhance DC primary care providers' knowledge about cancer treatment clinical trials and their role in encouraging patients to consider clinical trials as an option for quality cancer treatment. This program is a joint training project of the Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials and the Howard University Cancer Center. The training is appropriate for MDs, RNs, NPs, PAs, and others who educate patients. Participants will be treated to a catered meal or refreshments, and CME and CNE credits will be awarded for sessions of 60 minutes or longer. For more information or to schedule a training, contact Melissa Werner, MPH, MAT, ENACCT Project Manager, at (202) 271-3503 (cell) or (240) 482-4958 (office). This program is funded, in whole or in part, by the DC Cancer Consortium through a DOH grant. New Reports Racial-Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Care: The American Experience
AHA/ASA Scientific Statement, A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, May 2011 (27 pages).
District of Columbia is Second Least Obese State in the Nation
Trust for America's Health, 2011. More Resources... How to Submit a Post:
Send a brief summary (100 words or less) to HealthEquityAlert (at) dcpca (dot) org. Include links for fliers and/or your organization. If you don't have a website or immediate posting capabilities, send an attachment. In the subject line, write HEA POST and the event's DATE. The District of Columbia Primary Care Association is a nonprofit health action and advocacy organization. Founded in 1996, DCPCA works to improve health care and health coverage for the District's low-income, uninsured, and medically vulnerable residents by ensuring that they receive high quality primary health care -- regardless of their ability to pay. DCPCA represents 14 primary care providers in 48 sites across the District of Columbia. DCPCA's Health Equity Alert is prepared to share with colleagues news about health reform efforts, DC politics, local events, jobs, and resources. The summaries are provided for your information only and do not necessarily reflect the views of DCPCA. The circulation of the alert is more than 8,600 recipients.
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