CCM & Quality Newsletter
December 2022
In this edition:
- BP Drop-In Clinic Celebrates Their 1 Year Anniversary
- What Does 2023 Hold? Getting Ahead With Preventive Screenings
GSAA 2023 FOCUS: Preventing Heart Attack and Strokes
- GSAA Current Performance
CQC Outpatient Quality- What's new in 2023?
How can you help increase A1C testing in 2023?
Diabetes Resources
GSAA Diabetes Pathway Pilot- Patient Experiences
Diabetes Awareness Day Winners!
- Healthy Holiday Eating
Avoiding Depression During The Holidays
BP Drop-In Clinic Celebrates Their 1 Year Anniversary
Our BP Drop-In Clinic Celebrated their first year anniversary on December 6th, 2022!
Since opening the BP Drop-in Clinic, we have taken over 28,000 Blood pressures, outreached to 40,000 members; provided patients with Monday – Saturday blood pressure appointments and drop-in care and built trusting relationships with patients by providing care on their schedule. Since the clinics are stationed in Healthy Living Centers, we have bridged chronic conditions care with Health Education resources, which has enabled us to have the highest rate of controlled hypertension in the region!!
The BP Drop-in Clinic has served as a venue for providing GSAA Quality team’s mission, which is to be the best advocate for our patients (especially the vulnerable population) so that they can navigate the resources and get the care they deserve in Kaiser Permanente. Thank you to all who have helped us along this journey!
Fremont BP Drop-In- December 14, 2022
What Does Our Staff Say About the BP Drop-in?
Griselda Rodriguez, MA
San Leandro
My practice at the BP clinic is to care for patients the way you would care for someone you really love. When I treat our patients this way, it builds trust and relationships with our members. I feel like that is how we get our "regulars" who come in for regular BP checkups as well. When I make connections with my patients, it makes me feel like I have accomplished something, not just within myself but with someone else.
In terms of our team, we work so well together that it makes the environment fun and the operations feel seamless. I think that positive energy and environment we have within our clinic transpires to the patients when they receive their care.
Katrina DeGuzman, MA
Union City
What I like the most about working here in the BP Drop-in, is the patient’s convenience, patients can walk-in whenever they are available. I had a walk-in patient who came in to pick up medication, he seen our sign that says "walk-ins" and asked if he could get his BP checked. The patient was due for colorectal cancer screening, diabetic retinal screening, diabetes A1C screening. Initially, he was a bit discouraged only because he works 7 days and thought he would not have the time to get all of this done. He commented that he has to wait several minutes just to get an appointment by phone so he could not imagine how much time this would all take. I informed him that he could get these services completed today if he had some time. I helped the patient download MDO and taught him to email his doctor for any concerns, make appointments, check his labs, and order his medications so that he would not have to make phone calls to get all these services.
After his BP check he went directly to Ophthalmology to get his walk-in diabetic retinal screening. I gave him a fast pass to the lab so he could complete his A1C lab test, and I provided a fit kit as well with instructions so he could complete the screening in the convenience of his home.
The patient was extremely happy, and grateful as he hardly has the time to take care of himself. Our patients enjoy being able to get multiple services at their convenience, whenever they are available either by appointment or by walking in.
Delphia Davis, MA
Fremont
Caring for our patients in BP Drop-in makes me feel grateful and honored. Every time we see a patient in our clinic, we are helping to save their life and others around them. When patients come into our clinic, they always complement how calming and relaxing it is. They are always so surprised that the clinic has been open for so long and they did not know about it. After checking their blood pressure, they say we have the "magic touch", and if they ever need their blood pressure check in the future they will always come back here.
For the BP clinic celebrating it's one year anniversary, my biggest congratulations to the team on working so well together to help our patients while also providing the highest quality of care!
What Do Our Patients Say About the BP Drop-in?
The Medical Assistant was very kind and welcoming as she walked me to the clinic where she was going to take my blood pressure. She tried making small talk in Spanish along the way asking me "how my day was going?" and smiling behind her mask. When I arrived to where my blood pressure would be taken, I was struggling to take my jacket off and without asking her, she helped me pull my arm out of my sleeve. She told me to sit down and rest as she took my blood pressure. Another patient who was in the clinic waiting said, "Wow, what great attention!" I told her, "yeah, I got lucky today!" It was the first time ever that I have been helped in such a kind demeanor. The Medical Assistant was very compassionate, patient and did not make me feel rushed. Although my experience was quick and convenient, it was the most impressionable care I have ever received. I have been a Kaiser member for nearly 40 years and this time someone took the time, made the extra effort to be kind and provide that exceptional experience. It is great that Kaiser has a venue to monitor and continue to keep their members healthy, especially those of us who are aging. The clinic offered array of other health services and information as well. I would definitely recommend this clinic to my family and friends.
What Does 2023 Hold? Getting Ahead With Preventive Screenings
Screenings save thousands of lives!
With the beginning of the year right around the corner, many of our patients will be due once more for their preventive screenings. We must stay proactive in reviewing PROMPT, rooming tools and BP with every encounter and booking screening appointments. It is critical that we book patients their appointments within 90 days of their 2023 due date.
GSAA 2023 FOCUS: Preventing Heart Attack and Strokes Everyday (PHASE)
How does controlling diabetes and hypertension prevent heart attacks and strokes?
Controlling Diabetes & Hypertension Saves Lives
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), a single percentage point reduction in Hemoglobin A1c can decreased risk of cardiovascular death by 45%.
GSAA Current Performance
GSAA is #1 in NCAL for Hypertension Control
For African American Hypertension, GSAA is #2 in NCAL
GSAA #1 Diabetes Blood Pressure
GSAA exceeding Regional target in Statin Appropriate Fill
Diabetes Performance
CQC Outpatient Quality- What's new in 2023?
How can you help increase A1C testing in 2023?
Add these columns to your schedules to improve diabetes in-reach. All patients need a normal A1C (<8) in the calendar year. Please prompt them to go to the lab same day, if you see that the A1C has not been completed in 2023.
Diabetes Resources
How will you leverage these diabetes resources?
GSAA Diabetes Pathway Pilot- Patient Experiences
These are two prime examples from our Senior Health Educator, Diana Cosio, on how the Diabetes Pathway has bridged the path to meeting the patients where they are in their diabetes wellness journey:
Patient A -
Female-Patient was hard to reach until Health Educator happened to call at a time when patient was commuting to her second job crossing the San Mateo bridge. When patient and Health Educator did connect, the patient was open about all her challenges for being healthier, 1) having 2 jobs, 2) having no time to exercise 3) eating what was convenient. We discussed her goals and what she wanted to change, giving her suggested options. The 2nd conversation revealed that she was meal prepping with healthy choices, walking the stairs, and losing 8 pounds. She purchased a climbing machine that she was expecting any day. When asked when she planned to use it she said, when she arrived home from work at 10 pm. After congratulating patient for having a great start I asked if she would mind me contacting her in about 3 weeks for updates, patient replied, "yes of course and hopefully by then I will be down a pant size!" She then thanked the Health Educator for the support and motivation.
Patient B -
Female - After a couple of conversations about glucometer use and suggested plans for choosing healthier foods and physical activity recommended Lo Basico Diabetes class. Patient showed so much interest, enthusiasm, and agreement. Patient has been taking strides to make small changes in her health. Patient missed the online Lo Basico class and after following up with the patient to determine how to support, she informed that she had been ill and would want to reschedule. The patient confirmed that she planned to log onto the class. The patient thereafter said, now I would like to take a moment to tell you something. "As I discussed with my husband, it is such a good feeling to know that someone out there, who I do not even know, cares about me and is concerned for my health getting better, it is not only nice, but it is motivating, I feel like there is a purpose and that I can share my success with someone who congratulates the small steps that I am taking. I do appreciate it".
Diabetes Awareness Day Winners!
Thank you to our Health Education Department for bringing on the BLUE spirit across the GSAA! They have been selected as the winners of our WEAR BLUE FOR DIABETES contest. Thank you to all who participated!
Healthy Holiday Eating
The holiday season can be a challenging time of year for foodies who like to eat to maintain their health. Many holiday gatherings include loads of sweets, fried and packaged foods that can damage our health. It doesn’t have to be that way, it is possible to create a healthy holiday meal without compromising on flavor and feeling great afterwards! Check out these recipes from the American Heart Association and other blogs:
Avoiding Depression During The Holidays
Some consider this to be the "most wonderful time of the year," but not everyone.
Whether it’s because of losing a loved one or being stressed for one reason or another, the holidays can leave some with a lonely feeling.
It may not be easy to explain the feelings of sadness, especially when others appear happy. Kaiser Permanente has resources to help combat Holiday Blues.