News and Media

Welcome to Quality Buzz. Quality Buzz is dedicated to bringing you all the latest news and information to help you improve the quality of your health care. We update this section weekly and hope that it will become an important resource for you.

April 07, 2009 — New Resource: Massachusetts Patients and Providers Share Through Videos

I am pleased to announce the release of the first in a series of videos focusing on practical steps individuals can take to be "great patients" and get safe and effective health care. In this series, you will hear personal stories and practical tips from consumers, physicians and a pharmacist. In the first video, Dana Safran, a Partnership Board member, discusses her personal story about the importance of carrying a medication list. We will release a new video each week. Please give us your feedback on the videos and suggest ideas for future topics and other people who might share their stories.

New data released last week by the Massachusetts Health Quality Partners shows that Massachusetts doctors exceed national averages on quality measures of preventative care, chronic-disease management, and the appropriate use of medication and tests. However, the data also shows that variation in quality still exists among medical groups. I recommend checking the new data to find out how your doctor's medical group measures up.

And lastly, a recent article in the New York Times on health literacy reminds us about the importance of asking your doctor questions. Simple strategies such as double checking with your doctor to make sure you understand everything at the end of the visit can lead to better care.
Feeling hopeful on Opening Day in Fenway Park...

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March 31, 2009 — Few Hospitals Use E-Records

It is widely believed that greater use of information technology by hospitals and physicians will improve quality of care and reduce costs. Recent studies, however, indicate the enormous challenges involved. The New York Times cited a recent study that found only 9% of all hospitals nationally have electronic health records. WBUR's CommonHealth raised the issue of patient privacy concerns as personal information becomes more widely available and shared among physicians caring for the same patient. With $19 billion budgeted by the Administration to spur adoption of health care information technology, there will be much debate on how best to spend the money.

In other news, the New York Times reports that a strong doctor-patient relationship can encourage patients to ask more questions, follow through with regular visits and seek preventative care. This idea of "connectedness" is something to keep in mind, especially when choosing doctor. Having a doctor you feel comfortable with may indeed lead to better health.

Let me remind you that National Health Care Decisions Day is coming up on April 16th. Take the opportunity to speak with your loved ones about your wishes for end-of-life care. You can prepare your own advance directive without a lawyer. A free form for Massachusetts residents is available on the Massachusetts Medical Society website.

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March 24, 2009 — Health Care IT Discussion Continues

Happy Spring to all! As we wait for it to warm up outside, the discussion about electronic health records and health care reform continues to simmer. An article in last Tuesday's Washington Post weighed in on the benefits and risks associated with e-records, citing caution around the largely expensive and unproven nature of new health IT systems. A subsequent article in the Wall Street Journal introduced the idea of helping patients through "information therapy," or delivering reliable health information via electronic means. These ideas among others will no doubt come into play with President Obama's appointment of Harvard University professor David Blumenthal as the new national coordinator of health information technology. Dr. Blumenthal will have a big impact in rolling out the $19.5 billion dedicated to health care IT in the economic-stimulus package.

In other news, a report from Press Ganey Associates Inc. gives us an interesting perspective of the current safety in our nation's hospitals. This first-of-its-kind report surveyed more than 42,000 hospital employees across the country to get their perceptions of their facilities' safety practices and culture. The survey indicates that administrators have a far "sunnier" view of patient safety than registered nurses and physicians in training. The report goes on to suggest that improved communications among staff at all levels and greater transparency are needed to create a culture oriented towards improvement in patient safety. To learn more about specific safety practices in your hospital, check out the hospital links in our guide.

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March 17, 2009 — Patient Safety Awareness Week a Success in MA

Last week's Patient Safety Awareness Week offered consumers an opportunity to get involved as individuals and collectively in the debate about health care quality in Massachusetts. Health Care For All sponsored a great event where Massachusetts consumers shared their personal experiences and talked about what needs to be done to improve the quality of the overall health care system. And congratulations to Massachusetts Hospital Association and Massachusetts Organization of Nurse Executives on winning the Betsy Lehman Patient Safety Award for Patients First, which encourages hospitals to embrace new strategies to reduce medical errors and improve patient safety.

In other encouraging news, the National Patient Safety Foundation introduced a nationwide effort to promote and strengthen collaboration between patients, families and their health care providers in order to improve quality. Hopefully this means more hospitals and doctors will be looking for patients to play a more active role on their health care team.

An article in the Wall Street Journal last week discusses how Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to sell lower priced systems for keeping electronic medical records, which would make this technology more accessible and affordable for doctors. Make sure to ask your doctor if they are using electronic medical records. And stay tuned for more news on this important issue.

And lastly, while it was nice to see George Clooney again on "ER" last week, the highlight for me was seeing "Dr. Benton" compel a fellow surgeon to use a surgical checklist. In this fictional case, the patient was "Dr. Carter" and the use of the checklist resulted in saving his life. I hope that the message of the importance of surgical checklists got out to the millions of viewers - both health care professionals and patients - who watched the show.

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March 09, 2009 — Weighing in on the Health Care Debate

This Wednesday, March 11th, I am speaking at a forum at the Worcester, MA Regional Chamber of Commerce Health Expo entitled "The Engaged Patient = One Solution to the Rising Cost of Health Care." For more information or to attend click here.

Last Thursday, President Obama hosted the first in a series of health care forums designed to spark productive conversations about ever-rising health care costs and the need to expand coverage throughout the country. Among Mr. Obama's principles of health care reform is the need for patient (and presumably family) centric care. 

An article in the New York Times last week underscores how critical both patients and doctors are to the success of any reform. This is particularly relevant when it comes to the Administration's plan to address the comparative effectiveness of medical treaments. Historically, consensus has been that "more expensive" means "more effective," despite numerous studies indicating that prescription medications or high-tech surgical procedures may be largely ineffective for certain conditions. Encouragingly, the economic stimulus plan includes $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness studies which will hopefully shed more light on this issue and bring it to the forefront.

If comparing relative effectiveness of procedures and treatments is to result in real savings and quality improvement, it may require that patients change their beliefs that "more expensive care is right care." Physicians will need support in communicating with patients about what can be difficult topics. 

So, how can we contribute to reforming today's health care model? I think communicating with our health care providers is a good place to start. If you are taking medication, ask your doctor about the benefits of generics versus prescription drugs. Staying informed and educated about our own health care options may not only be good for our health, but also for that of the larger system.

Other interesting news/articles this week include:

• Asking Tough Questions of Doctors, Wall Street Journal
• US System to Rate Health Therapies, Boston Globe
• How to Make Electronic Medical Records a Reality, New York Times

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March 04, 2009 — All Scans Are Not The Same: Why The Quality Of Medical Imaging Varies

A front page story in yesterday's New York Times highlights the uneven quality and high costs of imaging centers across the country. While imaging technology has seen dramatic improvements in recent years, many facilities continue to use older scanners which may result in less-accurate readings, unnecessary diagnoses and costly medical bills. Many centers are beginning to improve their capabilities by seeking accreditation with the American College of Radiology. But for those of us who may need a scan in the near future, experts recommend asking questions. For example, always ask your doctor if and why the scan is necessary and ask about the scanning technology they use.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, electronic health records are an important step towards making patient health histories more easily accessible for doctors. These records help to ensure better quality care and reduce duplication and preventable errors. Since the use of e-health records varies throughout the country, patients should check with their doctor to see how medical records are handled in their respective offices and hospitals. This may be one factor you keep in mind when choosing a physician.

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February 24, 2009 — Hospital Infections on the Decline

Representative Mary Grant (D-Beverly) and I are hosting a forum on "Health Care Quality: What's a Consumer to Do" at the Beverly Public Library, this Monday, March 2nd, from 9-10 AM. We will post feedback from the discussion in the coming weeks on the Buzz. If you are interested in co-hosting a discussion in your community, please be in touch with me at mkramer@partnershipforhealthcare.org.

In the news this week:

Encouraging news from the Associated Press tells us that doctors may be getting a toehold on preventing infections in the hospital. Citing a recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association, the article indicates that hospitals' increased efforts to wash hands and sterilize instruments have contributed to a decreased rate of staph infections in ICUs. A related Chicago Tribune article discusses a connection between increased hospital precautions and lowered patient infection cases. I urge everyone to check infection rates at your local hospital, and ask your doctor what measures they are taking to increase patient safety. For more information on how you can protect yourself from infection, visit our guide.

When talking with your doctor, it's always important to understand the benefits and risks of any recommended medications and treatments. According to a USA Today article, patients should always voice their questions and concerns about treatment options – even if the information seems obvious. After all, there's no such thing as over communicating when it comes to our health. For other helpful tips for preparing for your next doctor's visit, take a look at our guide.

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February 17, 2009 — Fighting Infection in Your Hospital

In recent months, we have all read reports about the dangers of hospital-acquired infections that can develop from routine procedures in intensive care units. How can we be certain that our own hospital is safe? A piece in the Washington Post tells us about a nationwide quality improvement initiative being embraced by hospitals across the country that includes the use of written checklists reporting results and developing strategies to improve patient care. Check with your local hospital to see what initiatives they have underway to prevent infection.

The same Washington Post article reports that infections acquired in the hospital typically add $25,000 to the hospital bill. Better quality and lower costs: that's a lesson we all need to remember in this economy.

When facing difficult choices about medical care for ourselves or our loved ones, it is difficult to know if there is one "right" decision. An article from the Associated Press reminds us that there is no single answer. Instead, experts suggest we have a duty as patients to learn about our conditions and develop questions—before setting foot in the doctor's office. For other ways to prepare for doctor's visits, I also recommend visiting our guide.

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February 10, 2009 — Good Advice for Improving Care

I hope you enjoyed this weekend's break from the cold weather. A piece in Sunday's PARADE Magazine reminds us that hospital safety shouldn't be taken for granted. Due to reduced staffing and the flood of data, medical oversights are now more common than ever. The good news is that many of these oversights are preventable by maintaining open and ongoing communication with our doctors. For more information about protecting yourself in and out of the hospital, visit our one stop guide.

In recent weeks I have highlighted several new tools for comparing hospitals. An article in the Boston Globe underscores how important doing your homework before choosing a hospital can be. According to the article, the State is monitoring heart programs at two Massachusetts' hospitals, Massachusetts General Hospital and St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, after it was discovered that both hospitals had relatively high death rates among patients who underwent cardiac catheterization procedures. 

The Boston Globe also reports on a new program aimed at preventing patients from returning to the hospital. At Boston Medical Center, nurses are using a personalized booklet to teach patients before they are discharged about their conditions, explaining necessary medications and promoting regular doctor appointments. The results are impressive—patients who participated in the new program were 30 percent less likely to return to the hospital. 

And finally, a report from the Arc of Massachusetts, a member of our Leadership Council, suggests that some health care professionals may lack the information and equipment necessary to assist adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This report offers families of those with special needs ways to advocate for the needs of their loved ones. I recommend taking a minute to look at the report: www.arcmass.org.

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February 04, 2009 — Vocalizing Your Medical Needs

An editorial in the Boston Globe adds a new twist to a topic we discussed a couple of weeks ago. Health care reformers suggest that doctors in operating rooms can use safety checklists by simply calling out the steps rather than going through written lists. As patients, we can practice this strategy ourselves by asking our doctors how they collaborate with their medical teams.

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette recently ran an article on the state's MyHealthCareOptions website. This new website is designed to help consumers compare hospitals based on cost and quality measures. I strongly encourage everyone to use this site as a "go-to" resource on hospitals in Massachusetts.

And finally, a new survey indicates that many hospital patients are unfamiliar with the names of people working on their medical team and their roles. The study focuses on patients and doesn't address the important role family members and advocates can play in helping patients keep track of the medical team. 

On Monday, the groundhog told us that we will have six more weeks of winter. Stay warm and take good care of yourself and your family.

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