In Brief April 2016

Strategy

Webinar: Board’s role in population health

The Center for Healthcare Governance is offering a recorded webinar available on demand titled “Gearing Up for Population Health: How Boards Can Lead With Influence.” The webinar outlines four key steps for boards: defining population health for the organization, translating that into a strategic priority, working to leverage contacts in the community and forming a population health committee. Visit www.americangovernance.com.

Staffing

Nonmedical workers may help to reduce readmissions

A study published by Perspectives in Health Information Management found that nonmedical workers — such as home health aides or social workers — can help predict whether a patient is at risk for readmission. The idea is to ease pressure on areas short of health care workers, nurses and physicians. A range of nonmedical workers can contribute, including personal care attendants, home meal delivery drivers, health coaches and community health workers. Visit perspectives.ahima.org.

Safety

Foundation turns to clinicians to boost health care safety

The National Patient Safety Foundation launched United for Patient Safety, a campaign designed to spark dialogue and promote action to improve the safety of the health care system for patients and the workforce. The foundation is collecting signatures from health care professionals who to read the NPSF “Free from Harm” report and discuss with colleagues one or more of the report’s recommendations. Also on the campaign’s website are educational materials. For information, visit www.unitedforpatientsafety.org.

Board Models

Collaborative governance explored in CHG study

Blue Ribbon Panel study conducted by the Center for Healthcare Governance explores the concept of collaborative governance. It’s a model that unites organizations with common interests and missions in integrated thinking, planning and doing, and it is likely to be the governance model embraced by hospitals and their partners to improve community health. For more information, visit www.americangovernance.org.

Disparities

A framework to address social determinants of health

A National Academy of Medicine committee in March proposed a framework and conceptual model for educating health professionals in the United States and abroad to address the social determinants of health. The committee recommends using the framework and model to help stakeholder groups “envision ways in which organizations, education and communities can come together to address health inequalities.” The report defines the social determinants of health as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age, including the health care system.” For more information, visit nationalacademies.org.

Policy

Last call for AHA Annual Membership Meeting

Registration is underway for the American Hospital Association’s Annual Membership Meeting from May 1 to 4 in Washington, D.C. The event brings together hospital and health system leaders from around the country to hear some of the top names in health care, government and media. One track will focus on issues of interest to trustees and will feature such well-known experts as Jamie Orlikoff, John Combes, M.D., JoAnn McNutt, Rick de Filippi and Constance Howes. For more information visit www.aha.org.