AHRQ launches new site to promote, recognize best practices

The aptly named Health Care Innovations Exchange is an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) program designed to support healthcare professionals in sharing and adopting innovations that improve the delivery of care to patients. Explore this site to find innovative strategies and quality-related tools, and learn how to improve your organization’s ability to innovate and adopt new ideas, and interact with innovators and adopters. Click here to delve into the innovations.

Report: Measuring the ominous future of health care

The U.S. health care system is on an unsustainable path. Health plan providers must help shape and lead the health care transformation or risk being marginalized. Click here for the future-trending report.

One size does not fit all: Meeting the health needs of diverse populations

In a new report released April 21, the Joint Commission suggests that hospitals should assess patients’ cultural and language needs and then improve policies to meet those needs. The report includes a framework for practices that address diverse needs, as well as a self-assessment tool that hospitals can use to evaluate how well their practices are working. Click here for the report.

Dental hygienists seek to expand role

Dental hygienists want dentists to loosen supervisory controls to let them provide a broader range of care and alleviate an acute shortage of oral health services in poor and underserved areas. State lawmakers and policy experts are starting to agree, and a Maryland bill passed this session gives hygienists the ability to provide preventive care — such as cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatments — in public health settings. Click here for the story.

Stay current with election bloggers

As the primary campaign winds down to a single candidate, hopefully the political rhetoric will turn to how both the Republican and Democratic candidates will lead our country IF they are elected in November. One way to stay connected is to check out a new site that Weekend Edition Sunday’s Host Liane Hansen introduced last week. The site brings together reporters that are covering the election. Click here to stay informed on this essential topic.