Social Determinants of Health Z Code Webinar

Recently, The Joint Commission and The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released regulatory measures for hospitals to address social needs. This overlaps with DC Department of Health Care Finance/CRISP SDOH Initiative which aims to prioritize the collection, exchange, and use of social needs.

Join DCHA, in collaboration with the Haugen Education Group, for a live webinar to learn more about social determinants of health (SDOH) Z codes. Learn how to collect, document, use, report, map SDOH data codes, and how to increase use of SDOH Z codes to support your hospital in meeting these new initiatives. This activity qualifies for 1 AHIMA/AAPC CEU.

May 2023 Utilization Report

Hoogtepunten: A generalized increase in utilization metrics with respect to pre-COVID baselines was observed for May 2023 compared to April. All hospitals saw an increase in acute care admissions with totals going from -18% below baseline in April to -13% this month. Emergency department visits presented their highest volume in the past 15 months increasing from -22% below pre-COVID baselines in April to -18% this month. Observation admissions saw the biggest increase in volumes going from 15% in April to 34% over baseline in May, and psychiatric admissions and ambulatory surgeries also increased going from -25% to -20% and -5% to 6% over baseline respectively.

Bringing Equity to the Forefront: MedStar Health Research Institute’s Health Equity Plan

The Institute of Medicine’s Crossing the Quality Chasm Report points to equity as one of six pivotal aims health systems need to focus on in order to continue to improve the quality of care given to patients. All patients—regardless of race, ethnicity, age, social status, primary language spoken, sexual orientation, level of education, or place of residence—should receive a consistent level of care and have access to the most appropriate resources. MedStar Health Research Institute is committed to health equity and is taking significant steps to extend health equity efforts through the development of its Health Equity Plan.

The Health Equity Plan is a initiative with three goals:

  1. To ensure equity is a core component of research conducted across the MedStar system.
  2. To ensure researchers are trained in health equity and research grants are viewed through an equity lens.
  3. To engage in a participatory and partnered approach to implement the Health Equity Plan.

Tell Your Hospital Story with Data to Improve Health Equity

The majority of hospitals and health systems are collecting race, ethnicity, language and other data on demographic and socio-economic factors about their patients. But how can health care organizations use that data to tell a story that guides the delivery of quality care and improves outcomes for all patients?

A report, Using Data to Reduce Health Disparities and Improve Health Equity, from the AHA Center for Health Innovation describes how to use data to build new capabilities that improve health outcomes for patients and communities.

Healthy Hospital Initiative Reveals Winners of the Third Annual Cooking Competition

The DCHA Program Services Company, Inc, the District of Columbia Hospital Association’s non-profit arm, awarded its third Healthy Hospital Initiative (HHI) Cooking Competition winners, sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. DCHA recognized the exceptional teams and individuals for their best, plant-based healthy dishes. The teams and individuals were recognized at a virtual reveal on May 25.

“We are so pleased to recognize and celebrate individuals and teams for working to make hospital food healthy and delicious for patients, staff and the community,” said DCHA President & CEO Jacqueline D. Bowens. “For more than five years, DC hospitals have made healthy meal options a priority. These hospitals and chefs made mouth-watering dishes proving that healthfulness is possible whether cooking for one or 100.”

The 2023 HHI Cooking Competition Awards were given to the following hospitals and individuals:

MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital: Overall Winner

  • Chef Artis Crum

MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital: Best Entrée

  • Open-Faced Purple Carrots Ravioli

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital: Best Side Dish

  • Carrot Cilantro Couscous Salad

MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital: beste dessert

  • Vegan Carrot Halwa Pistachio Trifle

MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital: Taste & Appearance

  • Chef Artis Crum

Psychiatric Institute of Washington: Originality & Video Quality

  • Chef Kevin Brown

MedStar Washington Hospital Center: Nutrition & Creativity

  • Chef Matthew Galo

The dishes used carrots as the plant-based, secret ingredient, to make their dishes unique, creative, and delicious. Winners were presented with trophies, monetary awards, and most importantly, bragging rights on what hospital has the most delicious food.

Watch the recording of the reveal.

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The Healthy Hospital Initiative is a partnership between the DCHA Program Services Company, Inc., and DC Health to reduce the availability and consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and sodium intake, and to promote healthier choices in district hospitals.

 

Health Care Workers’ Appreciation Night at D.C. United

Come cheer on D.C. United on June 17 as they take on Real Salt Lake! DCHA members receives discounted tickets to the match. Use the link below to access up to 20% off D.C. United tickets.

BridgePoint Healthcare Opens First Ever In-Home Dialysis Unit

BridgePoint Healthcare, a leading post-acute health care provider, announced the grand opening of its new In-Home Dialysis Unit at their National Harborside location. BridgePoint Sub-Acute & Rehabilitation National Harborside will be the only skilled nursing facility in the Washington, D.C. area with the ability to provide in-home dialysis to its ventilator dependent residents, who previously had to transfer out of the District for those services. The state-of-the-art facility will be fully operational in June 2023. The in-home dialysis unit is located within the skilled nursing facility, providing residents with convenient access to a comprehensive range of medical services. The unit features the latest technology in dialysis equipment and offers individualized care plans to meet the unique needs of each patient.

DCHA is Hiring a Program Manager

Come work for the District of Columbia Hospital Association (DCHA), an amazing, growing association, as a Program Manager for the Perinatal Quality Collaborative (PQC).

The role of the position is to foster the work of the District’s Perinatal Quality Collaborative, as well as DCHA and its members, through management of the day-to-day operations of the PQC and associated projects, data analytics, quality improvement processes and liaison activities in support of priorities for improvement and strategic goals.

© 2024. District of Columbia Hospital Association.