2020 Quality Improvement Awards, Is Your Health Center Helping Kids Catch-Up?, and More! HRSA PHC Digest

A Newsletter from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

HRSA BPHC Primary Health Care Digest

August 25, 2020

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Celebrating Health Center Quality Improvement
Today, HHS announced over $117 million in Quality Improvement Awards (QIA) to 1,318 health centers across all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia. The QIA recognize the highest performing health centers nationwide as well as those health centers that have made significant quality improvements from the previous year.

Health centers are recognized for achievements in various areas, including:

  • Improving cost-efficient care delivery, while also increasing quality of care.
  • Reducing health disparities.
  • Increasing both the number of patients served and patients’ ability to access comprehensive services.
  • Advancing the use of health information technology.
  • Achieving patient-centered medical home (PCMH) recognition.

Health centers that ranked in the top 1 to 2% in one or more key areas—behavioral health, diabetes prevention and management, and heart health—received designation as National Quality Leaders (NQL).

The top 30% of health centers that achieved the best overall clinical performance received designation as Health Center Quality Leaders (HCQL).

See the fiscal year (FY) 2020 QIA recipients.

Health Center Program Awardee Data pages display the QIA badges that a health center has received. If your health center received an NQL and/or an HCQL, you will receive certificates and QIA badge images to display on your website or in promotional materials. This year, certificates will be delivered electronically through HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) and will be mailed at a later date. Contact Health Center Program Support for questions about certificates and badges, or to request a high-resolution QIA badge.

To learn more about the overview and impact of QIA, and the FY 2020 QIA categories, criteria, payout, badges and terms of award, please join us for a webinar:

Thursday, September 3
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the webinar the day of session
Call-in: 888-469-1066
Passcode: 8944659


CATCHUP

New “Catch-Up to Get Ahead” Campaign to Promote Childhood Immunizations
In support of National Immunization Awareness Month, HRSA urges health centers and health care providers to “catch-up to get ahead” on childhood immunizations.  Your health center can promote the importance of childhood immunizations by using social media messages and graphics from the Catch-Up to Get Ahead Toolkit.

In a bulletin last week, shared specific ways health centers can boost immunization rates. We also invited you to share your success stories with us. 

If clinicians in your health center have questions about vaccines, these resources have answers:


Stepping Up When It Matters Most
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Health centers across the nation have distinguished themselves in responding to the current pandemic. Here are some examples:

  • Marias Healthcare Services Inc. (Shelby, MT) used their COVID-19 funding in numerous ways: establishing a curbside pharmacy, providing PPE, and implementing a multi-pronged testing strategy (including rapid and antibody testing). They also led community education efforts including assisting the local business community during Phase 1 reopening, teaching how to monitor employees and helping businesses develop workflows.
  • In addition to setting up drive-up testing and mobile testing sites, CommUnityCare (Austin, TX) set up a medical hotline to handle patient questions about COVID-19. If needed, a nurse would triage the caller, possibly directing them to a testing site. They also established a coronavirus dashboard to publicize their latest testing information.

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Jump To:  COVID-19  |  HIV  |  Workforce  |  Telehealth  |  Additional Resources


What's New

Advancing Health Center Excellence
The Advancing Health Center Excellence Framework aims to help HRSA and health centers advance health center maturity and innovation in key domain areas that align with HRSA’s mission and the mission of the Health Center Program.

The seven domains are: Access and Affordability; Patient Experience; Quality, Patient Care and Safety; Population Health and Social Determinants of Health; Financial Sustainability; Workforce; and Governance and Management.

The basic level of performance builds on Health Center Program requirements, while integrating meaningful activities to assess performance along a four-level continuum of health center maturity within each domain. The framework will assist health centers to:

  • Self-assess their current state of performance across the seven domains.
  • Identify a desired future state of performance.
  • Identify data-driven and evidence-based capabilities, activities, behaviors, and resources needed to reach and sustain a higher level of domain performance.

The framework will also help HRSA make decisions about deploying resources, including providing technical assistance (TA) and funding, with more intention and transparency.

Join a webinar to learn more:

Wednesday, August 26
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Call-in: 888-989-6520
Passcode: 3855256


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Natural Disaster Reporting
We are thinking of our colleagues who are impacted by wildfires and, potentially, tropical storms or hurricanes.

HRSA has asked Primary Care Associations (PCAs) to take the lead in gathering critical health center information and reporting impact data back to us on the operational status of delivery sites. For health centers in areas impacted by natural disasters, we ask that you report site-level operational status to your PCA.

Please also visit the HRSA Health Center Program Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Resources website for important guidance documents and resources to help health centers, including information on change in scope for temporary sites, 340B Program enrollment under emergency declarations, and FTCA coverage in emergency events, including volunteer health professionals. 


Today With Macrae

Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Missed our most recent session? Watch the recording. We post the recordings, slides, and transcripts on our COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners webpage as soon as they’re available.

Here are some of the resources mentioned in last week’s session:

Next month’s Today with Macrae will include speakers from health centers and Primary Care Associations:

BPHC REACH and Health Equity Panel Discussion
Thursday, September 17
Access details coming soon.
Need a refresher on BPHC REACH? Review the slides from the June 29 Today with Macrae.


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2020-2021 Influenza Season: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices updated its recommendations for prevention and control of seasonal flu with vaccines for the 2020-2021 flu season. Influenza vaccination of persons aged ≥6 months to reduce prevalence of illness caused by influenza will reduce symptoms that might be confused with those of COVID-19.

Related, the National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP) is holding an informational session on Flu LEAD (Linkages to End Access Disparities). Flu LEAD is a pilot project from HRSA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to increase influenza vaccination coverage among residents of public housing agencies.

Wednesday, August 26
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Service Area Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity Released for May 1 Starts
HRSA released the FY 2021 Service Area Competition (SAC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), HRSA-21-006. This NOFO announces services areas where the current award recipient is in a 1-year project period that ends April 30, 2021. Applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, October 19, and in EHBs by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 19.

Current award recipients should refer to box 6 of the most recent Notice of Award to obtain their project period length and end date. TA materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.


New Resource to Help Health Center Staff Prepare for Site Visits
HRSA has released the Health Center Program Site Visit Protocol: Sampling Review Resource Guide. It guides health centers in understanding the sampling process when the health center has flexibility in deciding which subset of documents (samples) to provide to the site visit team. Use this resource in conjunction with the Site Visit Protocol and other resources available online to support a successful and smooth site visit.


Funding Opportunity for Rural Health Network Development Planning
HRSA recently released the NOFO for the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program (Network Planning) (HRSA-21-021). HRSA plans to award 20 grants to rural communities as part of this funding opportunity. Read more.


2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Open for Public Comment
CMS recently released the calendar year 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. Comments are due on the proposed rule by Monday, October 5. CMS seeks public input on telehealth services that should be permanently added to the telehealth list beyond the public health emergency. Submit a comment.


COVID-19

Health Workforce Connector
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many clinicians and clinical staff out of work, while at the same time their services might be desperately needed elsewhere. Through the Health Workforce Connector, organizations can search for staff available for COVID-19 response activities. You can search for and contact “emergency volunteers,” and can also post free listings for available positions. Visit the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps: COVID-19 FAQs webpage to learn more.


New Provider Relief Resources Available
While hundreds of thousands of health care professionals who have been impacted in the fight against COVID-19 have received billions of dollars from the federal Provider Relief Fund (PRF), there are still many more who have not yet applied. Check out our PRF resources and watch our PRF webcast to learn more about the program.


FAQs
We continually update our COVID-19 FAQs webpage. Other resources:


survey

Did You Complete Your Survey? Complete It Today to Help Us Help You
Did you know that your survey responses help inform the ongoing federal response to COVID-19? That’s right, your invaluable input allows us to track COVID-19’s impact on health center operations, staff, and patients to better understand and respond to your needs with funding, as well as TA and training.

Last week, 71% of health centers and 52% of health center look-alikes submitted data through the weekly COVID-19 survey. Please help us boost that percentage this week by completing your survey today!

The survey you received on Friday, August 21, is due by 11:59 p.m. ET today. Questions on how to complete the survey? Check out our User Guide. As always, thank you to all of the health centers and look-alikes that complete these weekly surveys!


COVID-19 and Dentistry: Challenges and Opportunities for Providing Safe Care
This recent article by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality identifies patient safety challenges in infection control and prevention in the dental office setting. HRSA recommends that health centers follow CDC guidelines for dental settings.


The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable’s Playbook on Colorectal Cancer Screening during the COVID-19 Pandemic
This new resource from the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable provides an action-oriented playbook for health centers to address colorectal cancer screening efforts appropriately, safely, and equally for all communities throughout the pandemic. It provides snapshot statistics on COVID-19’s impact on screening, new messages for colorectal cancer screening efforts, and aligning statements for health centers role in reducing mortality, morbidity, and ensuring health equity.


HIV

Ending the HIV Epidemic: USPSTF HIV Recommendations and PrEP Resources for Health Centers
Learn about the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s (USPSTF’s) Final Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Recommendations and PrEP implementation guidelines, as well as resources from The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP. Experts will share the latest guidelines and recommendations for HIV screening and PrEP prescribing practices for HIV-negative patients that may be at risk for contracting HIV.

Thursday, September 17
2:00- 3:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Workforce

STAR2 Center High-Functioning Managers Learning Collaborative
High-functioning managers play a pivotal role in employee retention and are vital to a health center's success and growth. The Association for Clinicians for the Underserved's* STAR2 Center invites health center managers to apply for the High-Functioning Managers Learning Collaborative, which begins next month. You’ll learn the core components needed to become a high-functioning manager and develop a personalized manager training plan to enhance your skills. (*The Association for Clinicians for the Underserved is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.)


Telehealth

Maternal Telehealth Access Project
HRSA funds will be used for new mini-grants providing time-limited funding around maternal health care services before, during, or after pregnancy. We encourage organizations delivering or interested in delivering maternal health care services via telehealth during COVID-19 to apply by 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, September 14.


Additional Resources

Social Determinants and Health Status: A Data for Decision-Making Speaker Series Webinar
Join HRSA for a webinar focused on better understanding SDOH and their impact on the health status of patients served by health centers. Many existing SDOH models are anchored around place-based constructs. Learn how we’re incorporating a population-based model and assessing the social determinants contributing most to patient health.

Tuesday, August 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here


PCMH Toolkit

Adopting the PCMH Helps Your Health Center Align With Medicaid
Medicaid is a principal third-party payer for almost half of all health center patients. PCMH recognition can help health centers align with Medicaid requirements that are designed to monitor and improve patient access, utilization, health care costs, clinical quality outcomes and the patient experience—domains found in key PCMH competencies. For more on overlapping requirements between PCMH and Medicaid, check out thecheck out the National Committee for Quality Assurance PCMH Toolkit for Health Centers.


New Resource from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center recently published, “Supportive Housing and Health Services for LGBTQIA+ Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Promising Practices.” It highlights health disparities faced by LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness as well as notable programs in three U.S. cities that have developed culturally-tailored programs to engage and support these youth. It also includes promising practices based on common themes across the programs.


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Technical Assistance & Training

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Visit the training calendar to learn details about or register for events.

Through September 1

Social Determinants and Health Status: A Data for Decision-Making Speaker Series Webinar
Tuesday, August 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

#RuralHealthChat Twitter Chat: Preparing Rural Healthcare Systems for COVID-19 Surge
Wednesday, August 26
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Learn more

Addressing Stigma, Health Disparities, and COVID-19’s Role in Affecting Workforce Retention
Hosted by the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s STAR2 Center
(The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is a HRSA-funded NTTAP)
Wednesday, August 26
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Flu LEAD Informational Session
Hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Wednesday, August 26
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Advancing Health Center Excellence
Wednesday, August 26
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Call-in: 888-989-6520
Passcode: 3855256

Recovery LIVE! Supporting Recovery for All: Racial Equity in Recovery Support Communities and Services
Hosted by SAMHSA
Thursday, August 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Highlights: Preparing for Value-Based Care through Sustainable Telehealth Workflows
Hosted by the HITEQ Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, August 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Upcoming

Clinical Best Practices and the Art of the Tele-Physical Exam
Part of the HHS Telemedicine Hack Learning Community
Wednesday, September 2
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Learn more or register

Introduction to the UDS Mapper
Wednesday, September 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Fiscal Year 2020 QIA Technical Assistance
Thursday, September 3
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the webinar the day of session
Call-in: 888-469-1066
Passcode: 8944659

Health Network: A Care Coordination Program for Mobile Patients
Hosted by Migrant Clinicians Network, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Tuesday, September 8
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Excelling in Your Role as a Health Center Leader: Being a Leader vs. Being a Boss
Hosted by NACHC, part of its Health Center Leadership Series
Thursday, September 10
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here

The New Normal: Tips to Make Telemedicine Part of Your Permanent Practice
Part of the HHS Telemedicine Hack Learning Community
Wednesday, September 16
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Learn more or register

**New Date** Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Thursday, September 17
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Access details coming soon

Ending the HIV Epidemic: USPSTF HIV Recommendations and PrEP Resources for Health Centers
Thursday, September 17
2:00- 3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

UDS Mapper Advanced Topic Webinar: New Features in the UDS Mapper
Thursday, September 17
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Excelling in Your Role as a Health Center Leader: Communicate Like a Leader
Hosted by NACHC, part of its Health Center Leadership Series
Thursday, September 17
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here

MHP Salud: COVID-19 and CHWs Virtual Technical Assistance
Hosted by MHP Salud, a HRSA-funded NTTAP
Thursday, September 17
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Get access information

UDS Mapper Special Topic Webinar: Food Insecurity and Opportunities for Health Centers
Wednesday, September 23
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Excelling in Your Role as a Health Center Leader: Leading Curiosity, Creativity and Innovation
Hosted by NACHC, part of its Health Center Leadership Series
Thursday, September 24
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here

**New Date** Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Thursday, October 1
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Access details coming soon

Excelling in Your Role as a Health Center Leader: Applying Workplace Emotional Intelligence Tools
Hosted by NACHC, part of its Health Center Leadership Series
Thursday, October 1
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.