New HHS data show quality improvements saved 15,000 lives and $4 billion in health spending

Hospital Readmissions Fall by 8 percent among Medicare beneficiaries

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that new preliminary data show an overall nine percent decrease in hospital acquired conditions nationally during 2011 and 2012.  National reductions in adverse drug events, falls, infections, and other forms of hospital-induced harm are estimated to have prevented nearly 15,000 deaths in hospitals, avoided 560,000 patient injuries, and approximately $4 billion in health spending over the same period.

The Affordable Care Act is also helping reduce hospital readmissions.  After holding constant at 19 percent from 2007 to 2011 and decreasing to 18.5 percent in 2012, the Medicare all-cause 30-day readmission rate has further decreased to approximately 17.5 percent in 2013.  This translates into an 8 percent reduction in the rate and an estimated 150,000 fewer hospital readmissions among Medicare beneficiaries between January 2012 and December 2013. 

These improvements reflect policies and an unprecedented public-private collaboration made possible by the Affordable Care Act.  The data demonstrates that hospitals and providers across the country are achieving reductions in hospital-induced harm experienced by patients.  

HHS will continue to accelerate delivery system reform efforts by working with nationwide partners to capitalize on these promising results so that the nation continues on the path of increasing patient safety and reducing health care costs while providing the best, safest possible care to patients.  

To view the report, please visit: http://innovation.cms.gov/Files/reports/patient-safety-results.pdf.

USDA Announces Breastfeeding Program Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $60 million in grants to support state breastfeeding programs for mothersenrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The funding will support peer counselor programs in which WIC participants provide mother-to-mother support for addressing barriers to breastfeeding, which research shows may reduce infant’ risk for obesity later in life.

For a complete list of funds for each state including Utah, visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-0001-14

ADA Grant Opportunity

ADA Foundation Announces New Semi-annual Grant Opportunity to Nonprofits Working to Improve Oral Health in their Communities

The ADA Foundation (ADAF) invites U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that work to improve oral health to apply for a grant through its new Semi-annual Invitational Grant Program. The application deadline is July 31. 

ADAF will consider grant applications from organizations whose projects align with the ADAF’s goal of improving oral health through one of the ADAF’s four mission pillars: Charitable Assistance, Access to Care, Research and Education. In addition to alignment with the ADAF’s mission, applications will be evaluated based on criteria including clarity of the project description, reasonableness of the work plan and outcomes, the expectation of clear results and measurable outcomes, originality and creativity, presentation of a comprehensive and realistic budget, and other criteria the evaluating committee deems relevant in light of the ADAF mission pillar with which the grant request aligns. 

The dollar amount of any grant will depend on the number of applicants, the budget needs presented in the grant request, and the amount of funds available for such misson pillar category at any given time. All ADAF grant awards are within the sole discretion of the ADAF Board of Directors.

Interested organizations should download and review the ADAF Semi-annual Grants Program Guidelines and Application document from www.adafoundation.org and submit their proposal no later than the July deadline.

Children’s Autism Program Now Accepting New Applicants

For Immediate Release

May 5, 2014

Media Contact:

Kolbi Young

801-538-6847 or 801-231-6350

kolbiyoung@utah.gov

Children’s Autism Program Now Accepting New Applicants

Medicaid Autism Waiver Program Opens Enrollment 

(Salt Lake City, UT) – The Utah Department of Health’s (UDOH) Medicaid Autism Waiver program is open for enrollment and will accept applications until Sunday, May 18to fill 35 openings in the program.  The program was originally funded as a two-year pilot project, but was made an ongoing program during the 2014 legislative session (House Bill 88). The program provides treatment for approximately 290 children, ages two through six, who are clinically-diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  

Since its implementation, the Waiver has provided services to more than 300 children statewide.   During the first year of measurement, outcomes were extremely positive in both verbal and behavioral trajectories for the enrolled participants.  The program provides intensive individual support for children with ASD, as well as respite care for families.  Data have shown that early, intensive treatment gives children with ASD the best chance to reach their full potential.  

“The difference from a year ago is just unbelievable,” said one Utah mother whose six-year-old son has been enrolled in the program since it launched in October 2012.  “He is learning coping skills and learning to ask and take ‘no’ as an answer. It’s giving us as a family the tools to help with his issues and struggle. It’s a family process and not just about him.”

To enroll in the program, applications must be received by Sunday, May 18.  Applications can be submitted online at www.health.utah.gov/autismwaiver.  Parents can also print the application and submit it by fax (801-536‐0153) or by mail (UDOH, PO Box 143112, Salt Lake City, UT 84114).

Applicants are not selected on a first come, first served basis.  Once the application period ends, if more than 35 applications are received, random selections will be made by geographical area based upon on each local health district’s population, to ensure statewide access.  Children currently participating in the program will not need to re-apply.  

To be eligible for the program, a child must have a clinical diagnosis of ASD and be a Utah resident with a date of birth between December 1, 2007 and May 31, 2011.  The child must also not have assets (bank accounts, trust funds, etc.) of more than $2,000 in his or her name. Unlike traditional Medicaid, a parent’s income and assets are not considered when determining the child’s eligibility.  Children currently enrolled in traditional Medicaid will not be automatically eligible for the program and will need to apply.  

Another Utah mother of a four-year-old son added, “It has helped my child by helping him learn things that he wouldn’t be able to do on his own. He was totally nonverbal and now he is saying words.  It’s been a game changer for us and given us a lot of hope and help after having difficulties with autism.”

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-- 
Tom Hudachko | Public Information Officer

Utah Department of Health

(o) 801-538-6232

(m) 801-560-4649

www.health.utah.gov

www.twitter.com/utahdepofhealth

Refugee Health and Social Determinants of Health Highlighted in Report

A recent Utah Health Status Update highlights refugee health in Utah.  It also included an OHD analysis showing how local crime rates is related to birth outcomes.  See it here: http://health.utah.gov/opha/publications/hsu/1403_Refugee.pdf

Special Issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Focuses on Health Disparities

See http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0417-health-disparities.html 

Lowest college enrollment in a decade

Why Education Matters to Health

Why is education such a major factor in shaping health? The links are complex – and tied closely to income and to the opportunities people have to lead healthy lives in their communities. Smaller social networks, higher neighborhood crime rates, and exposure to childhood trauma are just a few reasons why those with fewer years of education tend to live sicker, shorter lives.

Last year, just 66 percent of high school graduates enrolled in college—the lowest proportion since 2003. Explore the reasons why education matters to health >