Advancing the Practice of Patient- and Family-Centered Care in Hospitals

Advancing the Practice of Patient- and Family-Centered Care in Hospitals As defined by the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care (link is external) (IPFCC), “patient- and family-centered care is an approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among health care providers, patients, and families. It redefines the relationships in health care by placing an emphasis on collaborating with people of all ages, at all levels of care, and in all health care settings. This collaboration assures that health care is responsive to an individual’s priorities, preferences, and values. In patient- and family-centered care, patients and families define their ‘family’ and determine how they will participate in care and decision-making.”

Reducing Non-Urgent Emergency Services

Reducing Non-Urgent Emergency Services The Innovations Exchange has identified reducing the use of emergency services for non-urgent conditions as a high-priority area. This month’s issue of the Innovations Exchange focuses on the Emergency Services (ES) Learning Community.

Innovations in Medication Therapy Management

Innovations in Medication Therapy Management The AHRQ Health Care Innovations Exchange has identified promoting medication therapy management for at-risk populations as a high-priority area. The Innovations Exchange’s new Medication Therapy Management Learning Community specifically explores the role of pharmacists within interprofessional primary care teams in Federally Qualified Heath Centers (FQHCs), which typically serve at-risk patients with one or more chronic conditions.

Value-Based Reimbursement Structures | AHRQ Innovations Exchange

Value-Based Reimbursement Structures | AHRQ Innovations Exchange

The featured Innovations describe three programs that implemented value-based reimbursement policies at the State level. One program offered health plans a capitated fee to deliver health care and social services to Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibles; a second adjusted individual hospital payment rates based on specific performance metrics; and a third program rewarded individual hospitals for reducing hospital-acquired conditions.

Nine-Hospital Collaborative Uses Patient Screening Criteria, Fast-Track Diagnosis, and Treatment Protocols to Reduce Sepsis Mortality by More Than 50 Percent

AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Nine-Hospital Collaborative Uses Patient Screening Criteria, Fast-Track Diagnosis, and Treatment Protocols to Reduce Sepsis Mortality by More Than 50 Percent

Participating hospitals reduced mortality among sepsis patents during the study period by 44 percent, 1-year poststudy mortality decreased by 54.5 percent, and the initiative has generated a positive return on investment.

Reducing Disparities Through Peer Support

AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Reducing Disparities Through Peer Support

The featured Innovations describe a mentor program for African-American veterans with diabetes that improved blood glucose control and an interactive education class for kidney transplant candidates that increased the percentage of African-American patients and people of lower socioeconomic status, who completed the transplant evaluation process. 

Innovation in Clinical and Community Relationships Post-Katrina: A Conversation With Eric Baumgartner, MD, MPH

AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Innovation in Clinical and Community Relationships Post-Katrina: A Conversation With Eric Baumgartner, MD, MPH

The local health care system in Louisiana was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A collaboration of local community clinics, the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI), and other partners decided to work on rebuilding the primary care capacity and building the foundation for a high performing, sustainable, community-based approach to health care and population health.