Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health

Recognition for reducing hospital readmissions

Posted by:
JudyAnn Bigby, MD, Secretary of Health and Human Services

 

One of the top priorities for the Patrick-Murray Administration and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services is to find ways to deliver quality care to individuals and contain the rising costs of health care in the Commonwealth. A key avenue for reducing costs is to lower the rate of hospital readmissions throughout the state by improving the coordination of care people receive across hospital and other settings by multiple providers. Every year (since 2005), the state’s Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction honors a healthcare provider, health organization, or individual for their leadership and innovation in patient safety with the Betsy Lehman Patient Safety Recognition Award. The theme for the 2010 Betsy Lehman Award highlighted the importance of issues related to patient care transitions. A six member Lehman Center Award Review Committee used a set of criteria to evaluate nominees on how well they could demonstrate that their efforts to make improvements had resulted in safer and more effective care transitions for patients across the healthcare continuum.  This year’s award recipient, MetroWest Medical Center/Vanguard Health Systems (MWMC), successfully implemented interventions that resulted in lowering the rate of readmissions for certain patients with congestive heart failure. MWMC has been a participant in the multi-state, multi-stakeholder State Action on Avoidable Re-hospitalizations initiative known as STAAR.

Weekly Flu Report, February 24, 2011

As RTF: Download Weekly_flu_report_2_24_11  As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_report_2_24_11

Rates of flu-like illness in the state continued their upward creep this week. If past normal flu seasons are any guide, it's likely that we'll see flu rates hit their peak over the next few weeks. That's the good news -- the flip side of that is that we can expect flu to continue circulating in our communities even into spring.

What to do? Get a flu shot if you haven't gotten one already. Plenty of vaccine continues to be available -- contact your health care provider, your local health department or pharmacy to find the flu vaccine closest to you.

Bundled Payments: What and How?

 

 
Today, the most widely used method of paying for health care services in Massachusetts is fee-for-service – where each service provided is priced and paid for separately.  Virtually everyone agrees that one of the ways to lower health care costs is to move away from fee-for-service and to explore alternative payment methodologies.

So what are bundled payments?  Bundled payments (also known as episode-based payments) aim to make a single payment for all services related to a treatment or condition, at times, spanning multiple providers in multiple settings.
 
As the health care delivery system continues to evolve toward integrated and coordinated approaches, it is essential that we all have a fundamental understanding of such alternative payment methodologies and how they may help us to achieve lower costs and better quality.
 
Section 64 of Chapter 288 of the Acts of 2010 directs the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (Division) to provide support to providers and payers in developing bundled payment programs.  To that end, the Division has organized a symposium to provide technical assistance to those considering bundled payment arrangements.  We are convening a panel of experts from the practitioner, payer, and academic fields who are currently undertaking or considering bundled payment models.

The event is scheduled for Monday, February 28th at 9:00 a.m. and will take place at the State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116.

Organizations represented will include: Baycare Health Partners, BayState Health Systems, Harvard Business School, Health New England, Mass General Physicians Organization, and Wellpoint.

Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, will open the event, followed by panelists who will present information on the design and implementation of their bundled payment programs, and related successes and challenges.

Following the panel presentations, Dr. Philip Gaziano, from Hampden County Physicians Association, will moderate a question and answer discussion.

Due to the overwhelming number of responses we’ve received, this event is completely booked, and we will not be able to accommodate those who did not receive confirmation emails from us.

However, we will have event materials on our website, and I will be sure to share with you what we learn at the symposium... Stay tuned!

 

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As a part of our commitment to transparency, the Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy uses several social media tools including Twitter, blogs, and RSS feeds. We use these tools to keep you informed about the work we are doing and as a way to get feedback.You can follow us on Twitter, and you can learn more by visiting the Commonwealth Conversations: Mass Health Care blog.

 

Practicing What She Preaches: Katia's journey to health

 
 Written by Katia Powell

Katia is a Doctoral student in Public Policy and an intern at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
 
 

My life has always been filled with people, love, laughter, and purpose. Despite this, I have always felt a sense of emptiness, and used food to comfort me and fill that void. At the young age of 26, I tipped the scale at 350lbs. ‘How did I get to this point?!’ I would ask myself. I was morbidly obese and had asthma, a bad back, and weak knees from the extra weight. In addition, I lost my job and dropped out of nursing school because of financial problems. I had reached the lowest point in my life.

Despite these events, I was determined to get my life back on track and go back to medical school someday. I was motivated to help others live healthier lives, but knew I had to start with myself. In addition, I was tired of always being told, “You have such a pretty face!” It was time to make a change.

I joined a local gym for a low cost and started working out 3-4 times a week. I slowly worked my way up to being active 4-5 days a week for 60-90 minutes. I changed my eating habits and wrote down everything I ate. Eating healthy can get expensive, but I found ways to eat healthy while staying within my small budget:

1. I rarely went out to eat and made my food at home
2. I stopped for fresh fruits and vegetables at local Farmers Markets
3. I clipped coupons and kept an eye on grocery ads for sales
4. I stopped buying cups of coffee and brewed it at home before leaving for work
5. I made my own 100 calorie snacks from larger packages
6. I planned my meals a few days in advance

Believe me, it was not easy. Yet, the benefits outweighed the costs.

  

In six short months I lost 100 lbs and felt awesome. It took me 3 years to lose the excess weight and arrive at the goal weight of 150 lbs. Since then, I have regained 30 lbs, but I have the confidence and determination to lose the excess weight.

As an African American woman, I’m at higher risk for obesity-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Let my story serve as an example of how to defy the odds. Not only did I reach my goal weight, but I’m back on track in my career as a student intern at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and a doctoral student in Public Policy.

Despite whatever is going on in your life, you can make a positive change and become a healthier you. If I can do it, you definitely can too! So join me in my journey toward healthiness today!

 

Share Katia's story: Tweet 

 

 

A Massachusetts milestone: health care payment reform legislation

Posted by:
JudyAnn Bigby, MD, Secretary of Health and Human Services

Yesterday marked a health care milestone in Massachusetts which I’m particularly pleased to blog about: Governor Patrick announced comprehensive health care payment and delivery reform legislation that is designed to control rising health care costs and improve patient care throughout the Commonwealth.

The Governor's proposal, “An Act Improving the Quality of Health Care and Controlling Costs by Reforming Health Systems and Payments,” builds upon the Patrick-Murray Administration's bold leadership and success in achieving universal access to health care in Massachusetts. The bill takes the next important step: it offers a solution to ensuring that health care is universally affordable.  This legislation changes the model for payments to providers and recognizes that doctors, nurses, and other providers want – first and foremost – to take care of their patients.

By encouraging the growth of “integrated care organizations” (ICOs), comprised of groups of providers that work together to achieve improved health outcomes for patients at lower costs, the bill offers alternatives to the current fragmented system that individuals find too complicated to navigate, especially when they have significant medical problems. Over the long term, providers who emphasize health and wellness or help individuals manage chronic medical issues, improve health and reduce system costs, but most importantly, make the patient experience better. In the current model, providers are not rewarded for those outcomes.  Through this legislation, the Commonwealth will change incentives in the payment system by providing the necessary infrastructure and support for global and other alternative payment methods and innovations. 

Weekly Flu Report, February 17, 2011

As RTF: Download Weekly_flu_ report_2_17_11  As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_ report_2_17_11

Don't be fooled by the milder temperatures the past couple of days -- as this week's flu report indicates, rates of flu-like illness continue to climb across Massachusetts. Flu season doesn't usually hit its peak until late February or early March, and flu continues to spread well into spring. So there's no time like the present to take advantage of the abundant supplies of flu vaccine still available. You can contact your health care provider to get a shot, or search this database to find the nearest flu clinic near you.

Weekly Flu Report, February 10, 2011

As RTF: Download Weekly_flu_report_2_10_11  As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_report_2_10_11

Rates of flu-like illness continues to rise in Massachusetts this past week, and are expected to continue to climb in the weeks ahead. We can't know for sure when rates will peak, but one thing we are certain about is that there's still plenty of flu vaccine available, and it's absolutely not too late to take advantage. Get your flu shot by contacting your health care provider or search this database to find a flu clinic near you.

Snow Shoveling Safety

Posted by:
Maya Mohan, Department of Public Health

  Maya is the Physical Activity Coordinator for DPH.

 

I have a confession to make. I have started writing this post about 5 times now and each time I’ve started, I end up stopping because I figured that by the time you read it, it will have stopped snowing and it won’t be necessary to shovel. 

Clearly, that may have been a little bit of wishful thinking on my part.  I am no longer confident that it will (ever) stop snowing so here is my post on snow shoveling safety. Enjoy! 

Shoveling snow can be risky business.  Especially with the amount of heavy snow we’ve gotten so far this year. 

Here are a few tips:

1.  Check with your health care professional first.  Shoveling can put a lot of stress on your heart, so if you have a medical condition or are not regularly active, you may want to think about hiring someone to shovel for you, or asking someone to help.

2.  Dress for it.  This means light, water-repellant layers, a hat, mittens or gloves, thick socks, and proper footwear with slip-resistant soles.

3.  Shovel early and shovel often.  Don’t do what I did and wait until the snow stops to start shoveling! It took me over 2 hours to shovel off all the heavy, packed snow from around my apartment.  My back is still mad at me for waiting so long!

4.  Try pushing the snow rather than actually lifting it. But, if you do have to lift it, here is how:

Shovel a small amount of snow onto your shovel.  Keep your feet apart and squat down, keeping your knees bent and back straight.  Do not bend at the waist!  Lift the shovel up by using the strength in your legs to straighten back up.  Hold the shovel close to your body and walk forward to where you want to dump it.  Protect your back by not twisting your body with a shovelful of snow to throw it somewhere off to the side or over your shoulder. 

Here are some more suggestions from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons on shoveling snow safely. 

You know, maybe now that I’ve actually written this post, it will stop snowing.  I guess only time will tell!

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Super Bowl Snacks

 

Posted by:

Lynn DiTaranto, Department of Public Health.

 

Lynn is a Nutrition Education Specialist with DPH.

 

 

February 6th is fast approaching and always a great excuse to get together with friends and family. Let’s face it—we all like to enjoy the food whether we care about the game or not.

Do your New Year’s resolutions fly out the window during the Super Bowl? Personally, if I am able to exercise on this day, I allow myself to enjoy the scrumptious appetizers.

Not all game day fare has to be unhealthy. Here are some tips whether you are hosting or bringing the munchies:

1. There are many dip mix options out there. Blend your own with fat-free sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Serve with baked chips or a large plate of cut veggies (such as carrots sticks, celery, red peppers, and cucumbers).

2. Make fresh salsa with black beans and corn for a twist or stir in diced peach and mango for a sweeter variation.

3. Create your own snack mixes with pretzels, dried cherries, sunflower seeds, and roasted nuts.

4. Use whole wheat dough to make homemade pizzas. Top the sauce with low-fat shredded mozzarella, turkey pepperoni and colorful vegetables.

5. Cut up fresh fruit and put them on toothpicks for easy-to-eat fruit kabobs.

What are some of your favorite Super Bowl Sunday foods? Let us know what you are planning to make!

Weekly Flu Report, February 3, 2011

As RTF: Download Weekly_flu_report_2_3_11  As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_report_2_3_11 (2)

Rates of flu-like illness in Massachusetts continue their slow but steady rise, as indicated in this week's flu report. We don't expect flu season to reach its peak until later this month or even into March -- so please consider getting vaccinated at any of the public clinics at this searchable database or by calling your doctor or health care provider to set up an appointment.