Workshop to Improve Collection & Use of Race, Ethnicity and Language Data

Accurate race, ethnicity and language (REAL) data on patient populations provide essential building blocks for assessing and addressing health disparities. Yet research indicates most hospitals do not collect such data accurately and consistently. SNI is hosting a one-day workshop in Oakland on Oct. 3 to provide the tools necessary to improve the collection of REAL data. Romana Hasnain-Wynia, Ph.D., of the Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET) will facilitate the convening and, with support from The California Endowment, SNI will offer HRET’s new toolkit (valued at $200) free to each participating CAPH member.

For more information, visit the SNI Calendar or contact Erin Bowman, (510) 874-7119.

LEAD Team Leader, José Martín, featured in UCSF's Leaders Advance

José Martín, Health Disparities Initiative Leader at CAPH-member Contra Costa Regional Medical Center was featured in the July Leaders Advance newsletter, published by UCSF Center for Health Professions. As a participant in the LEAD program, Martín developed a project for community outreach and staff training in cultural competency. Focusing on pregnant Latina women, female Latina health outreach workers partnered with Contra Costa County to promote preventative care programs in their areas. Click here to read the entire feature.

Medical Homes Help Promote Health Care Equity

A new report from The Commonwealth Fund highlights the trends in ethnic and racial health care disparities and describes why having a medical home—a health care setting that provides timely, well-organized care and enhanced access to providers—can reduce or eliminate disparities. When adults have a medical home, their access to needed care, receipt of routine preventive screenings, and management of chronic conditions improve substantially. To read the report in its entirety, click here.

SNI Seeking Quality Measurement Professional

SNI is seeking an exceptional individual for the full-time position of Senior Program Associate, Quality Measurement to advance SNI’s and CAPH’s quality agenda.  The ideal candidate has 3-5 years experience working in a health care setting, a clinical or masters degree in a health-related field, expertise in health care quality measurement, and strong quantitative and analytical skills.

 Please go to the SNI Web site under “What’s New” to view the announcement.

SEED Documents Success with Disease Registry Implementation

SNI's chronic care improvement program, SEED, is working in 10 health systems and 20 clinics across the CAPH membership in 2007. Teams are hard at work testing and implementing improved care for diabetic patients. One success for many teams has been the initial implementation of an electronic disease registry. One SEED clinic team succinctly captured their positive experience with their registry, stating, “It is rewarding to see our efforts produce results and the gains (however small) made in the focus measures...This has bolstered team enthusiasm. We are now focusing on implementing self-management tools and standing orders systems.” To learn more about the SEED program, click here.

CAPH Annual Conference: December 5-7 in San Francisco

July 30 Convening in Oakland on Specialty Care Referrals

Online Discussion of Telemedicine in the ED and ICU on August 23

IHI Systems Improvement Programs Coming Up—KP Scholarships Available