Hoogtepunten
All except one of the focus utilization metrics saw an increase in volumes going from June to July 2024 compared to 2020 pre-COVID baselines. Ambulatory surgeries present the biggest jump in numbers going from -6% below the baseline in June, to 3% over the baseline in July. Comparably, acute care admissions changed going from -18% below the baseline in June to -16% in July, Emergency Department visits went from -28% to -25%, and psychiatric admissions increased in volumes going from -31% in June to -28% in July. Observation admissions is the sole metric with declining volumes going from 1% above baseline in June to -13% in July (see Fig.1 below).

Looking at observation admissions it is important to note that although there has been less variation over the past few months and volumes have recovered compared to the height of the pandemic, recent volumes have decline and gone below the median this month as shown in Fig. 2.

The District of Columbia Hospital Association has, for almost 45 years, worked to advance the missions of the hospitals and health systems of the District of Columbia by promoting policies and initiatives that strengthen the system of care, preserve access and promote better health outcomes for the patients and communities they serve. The role of the Director, Workforce Development is to assist in executing the Association’s strategic workforce priorities, including managing the work of the DC Health Care Workforce Partnership as a workforce intermediary.

DCHA is partnering with the DC Department of Health Care Finance/CRISP DC to provide our hospitals with access to an electronic advance care planning platform aimed at improving staff workflow and supporting the quality of patient care.

MyDirectives for Clinicians Integrated in the CRISP DC HIE
This user-friendly platform allows health care providers to create, upload, and view new digital advance care planning forms whenever and wherever they are needed across all patient care teams with access to the DC HIE. Advance care planning forms available through the platform include DC MOST, National POLST, Psychiatric Advance Directive and Universal Advance Digital Directive.

How MyDirectives for Clinicians Improves the Quality of Patient Care

• All care teams, including ambulatory providers, will have access to patients’ current care planning goals, objectives, and decisions across future, urgent, and end-of-life care.
• Facilitates care that is more personalized and aligned with the patient’s preferences and priorities.
• Enables smooth transitions between different care settings as all providers are aware of the patient’s care plans.