At first, it was a trickle of pioneer practices across the country that signed up to become Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH). Today, the PCMH model has grown and proven itself by delivering better outcomes at a lower cost. The best outcome of all? Patients are happy with access to the team-oriented care that focuses on helping them get well and stay that way.
[Read more…] about PCMH Improves Practices and OutcomesHealth IT for Primary Care Quality Improvement
Recently the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research issued a white paper on health information technology (IT) best practices for primary care practices. Health IT is often underused for supporting quality improvement in primary care, and the paper provides information, while encouraging the adoption of IT practices.
[Read more…] about Health IT for Primary Care Quality ImprovementTelehealth in Oregon
A few weeks ago I talked about the role of telehealth in promoting patient-centered health care. Recently, Oregon’s Senate Health Committee sent Senate Bill 144 to the floor (with unanimous, bipartisan support), moving telemedicine services beyond the hospital or clinic setting into a patient’s home. This bill was supported by collaborative efforts from the Telehealth Alliance of Oregon. If passed, this bill would require health insurance companies to cover and pay for services provided by a doctor or nurse practitioner remotely through secure video conferencing.
[Read more…] about Telehealth in OregonPerinatal Oral Health
There is a misconception among some health care professionals that preventive and restorative dental treatment during pregnancy is not safe, and is therefore not advised. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Good oral health can improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, and it contributes to improving the health and well-being of their children as well.
[Read more…] about Perinatal Oral HealthOregon Rural Health Conference
I just came back from attending the 31st Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference in Sunriver, Oregon. The conference, presented by the Oregon Office of Rural Health (located at Oregon Health & Science University [OHSU]), brought together about 200 clinicians, administrators, academicians, coordinated care organization members, government officials and students, all committed to the idea of “Making Healthcare Reform Work for Rural Oregonians.” This conference was a wonderful opportunity for people to get together and not only talk about the issues facing rural communities but to proactively discuss ways to address and help to remediate these issues.
[Read more…] about Oregon Rural Health ConferenceWelcome to InnovaHealth Innovations
Understanding Healthcare Change
Hello, and welcome to our blog. InnovaHealth Innovations (IHI) is a new, Portland, Oregon-based company created to helping medical practices respond to changes happening across the healthcare system. IHI conducts audits and compliance reviews and provides technical assistance to ensure that practices are complying with new regulations and programs under the Affordable Care Act. Our company is qualified to evaluate the Health Resources and Services Administration federally qualified health centers to ensure compliance with program performance and outcome measures.
[Read more…] about Welcome to InnovaHealth Innovations