Patient and Family Advisor orientation video series: With feedback from many of our partners about needs and wishes for a resource that could be helpful to your Patient and Family Advisor programs, we have prepared an orientation video series. You can access the video at: www.khconline.org/pfa-orientation.
These animated videos (9-12 min. each) are designed so that your hospital can incorporate them into your PFA orientation programs. Most likely, these videos also would be worthwhile to view by your hospital staff members who also are working with PFAs.
The Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) — recruiting now
Improving health care quality is a complex task that requires the involvement of many stakeholders. KHC is working in partnership with HQIN, the new CMS Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Kansas. Hospitals and provider practices that join HQIN will focus on improving patient outcomes at the grassroots level while contributing to national quality goals for reducing opioid deaths, improving care coordination, and managing chronic disease.
As an HQIN member, you will participate in educational events and use improvement materials that are available to providers in all states. All HQIN members receive timely, relevant data analyses to guide their progress. In addition, you will benefit from state-specific networking and contact with locally based HQIN improvement experts who are familiar with your setting of care.
To learn more and/or join the network, visit: www.KHConline.org/HQIN.
If you have questions or would like more details, contact KHC Program Director Rosanne Rutkowski, MPH, BSN, RN, at (785) 235-0763 or email:
Addressing emotions on the front lines of COVID-19
A new AHA resource, “Addressing Emotions on the Frontlines,” provides techniques and scripting for front-line providers to use when patients are experiencing increased emotion, worry, or frustration. Using empathy, active listening, and transparency enables hospital staff to provide support for patients and their families, build trusting relationships, and diffuse conflicts even in times of crisis.
The AHA “Proactive Conversations that Support Providers and Patients” resource also provides scripting and support for front-line staff to identify and document a patient’s language preference, emergency contacts, and advance directives to ensure patient communication preferences and treatment preferences are understood and respected throughout the continuum of care.
NRHA telehealth webinar recording
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) recently hosted a webinar on the topic of “Transitioning to Telehealth in Rural and Critical Access Health Care Organizations during COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities.” You can access the recording here.
HIIN recognition
KHC and the AHA/HRET HIIN teams would like to thank all Kansas hospitals and partner organizations for your incredible work to increase patient safety and the quality of care during the HIIN initiative.
We have collaborated and worked together to improve the health and safety of all Kansans since the initial project started as HEN in 2012. We thank YOU for your commitment and engagement over these years.
We look forward to HIIN results that will be released by AHA/HRET and CMS, including total lives saved, patient harms prevented, and health care costs avoided.
KHC had planned to celebrate and recognize hospitals in partnership with the Kansas Hospital Association at KHA’s Spring District Meetings, normally held in early April. While those plans have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we plan to recognize hospitals as soon as the timing would be better for our hospital partners and the recognition of their HIIN efforts can get the broader attention that it deserves. Materials and suggestions for spreading the word about your hospital's recognition is available here.
Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid survey
The Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee is requesting feedback on the second year of implementation of the “Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Misuse and Overdose Strategic Plan 2018-2022.” Results from the survey will be used to generate recommendations for the annual update to the Strategic Plan. The committee is particularly interested in learning how COVID-19 has impacted organizations’ ability to implement the strategies. Survey responses are due Friday, May 29. Take the survey here.
KHC hires Executive Director
The Kansas Healthcare Collaborative (KHC) Board of Directors has selected Allison Peterson DeGroff as the organization’s Executive Director effective March 20. For the last year, Ms. DeGroff has served as KHC’s Managing Senior Director. She held that position concurrently with her roles as the Director of Communications and Director of Membership for the Kansas Medical Society (KMS), one of KHC’s two founding organizations along with the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA). Read more about Ms. DeGroff in the full announcement.
KHC Monthly Webinar
We invite you to join us for KHC’s monthly webinar starting at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 20. During this hour together, we will hear from KHC’s new executive director, Allison Peterson DeGroff, about our commitment and current focus as we navigate this time of pandemic. We also will share a summary of the feedback KHC received about Kansas hospital progress and priorities at the conclusion of the HIIN initiative. Current questions and recommended next steps for hospitals also will be reviewed. In addition, we will dedicate a time for an update on the Health Quality Innovators Network (HQIN), as well as what we know about the next anticipated CMS Quality Improvement Program for hospitals, HQIC. Register here.
Upcoming KHC events
KHC Monthly Webinar
10 a.m. June 24, 2020
KHC Monthly Webinar
10 a.m. July 22, 2020
If you have any questions about this update or other matters, please direct them to Jill Daughhetee, KHC Educaton Coordinator,