The WPSC has long served as a hub for educational resources dedicated to patient safety best practices. In an effort to expand in this role, we're constructing an online "toolshed" to supplement our current resource library. We want to make sure all WPSC members know not just what the patient safety issues are, but HOW to tackle them within their own organizations. Also, with the growing breadth of online toolkits dedicated to patient safety priorities, wouldn't it be nice if you could locate them all in one place? We thought so, too. Our first toolshed iteration will provide valuable resources to arm your work around four priority areas: opioids, rural health, behavioral health integration, and health disparities. In anticipation for the unveiling of the online toolshed, this week's Friday 5 provides you the latest news in these initial priority areas:

Stocking Our Toolshed for the Summer ☀️

1. Opioids | Optimization of opioid prescribing via a shared decision making tool. (Requires free registration to MedScape Online). Interested in learning more? The WPSC is currently working on SDM tools for opioid optimization, and we welcome all members to participate. Contact kveit@qualityhealth.org to join the medication safety workgroup, focused on opioids through 2017.

2. Rural Health | GOP Medicaid cuts and the future of rural health care. As rural hospitals struggle to stay in business, what could proposed cuts to Medicaid mean for access to vital healthcare resources?

3. Behavioral Health Integration | Closing the Behavioral Health Gap — featuring WPSC member UW Medicine: Interested in learning more? Check out local behavioral health integration efforts by the Bree Collaborative, including their recently adopted BHI recommendations.

4. Health Disparities | The US has the 3rd worst income based health disparities in the world. Looking to learn more about what your organization can do to mitigate disparities in service delivery? Join us June 28th for a lunchtime webinar: "Addressing Bias, Language Barriers, and Inequities in Healthcare" presented by Cheri Wilson, MA, MHS, CPHQ, and current faculty with IHI's Pursuing Equity program.

5. Language & Cultural Barriers | Dr. Eliseo Pérez-Stable breaks down language and cultural barriers to health care. “From this stage, I can see the opportunity to shape the field and promote the development of the next generation in minority health and health disparities,” Pérez-Stable said last week as he marked his first year as director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

More About Upcoming Lunchtime Webinar 🍴

Join us June 28th for our next lunchtime webinar: "Addressing Bias, Language Barriers, and Inequities in Healthcare" presented by Cheri Wilson, MA, MHS, CPHQ, and current faculty with IHI's Pursuing Equity program. Have you ever wondered why sometimes our thoughts don't match our actions? In this webinar, participants will learn more about implicit bias and how it affects our everyday lives in everything from healthcare and beyond, to areas of criminal justice, employment, housing, and media. Most importantly, participants will be equipped with tips and debiasing techniques for mitigating implicit bias as a strategy for reducing disparities in health and healthcare and for promoting health equity.