1) EMS Graphics Available: Appropriate Use of EMS System, Emergency Departments
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In an effort to support our EMS and hospital partners, the North Country EMS Program Agency created a set of graphics to help the community determine when it is appropriate to call an ambulance or to visit an Emergency Department. The graphics also help community members prepare a plan for if/when they are in a situation requiring a call to 9-1-1 and what information to have available in order to get assistance as quickly as possible.
These graphics will be shared through our social media channels, and we encourage you to share on yours. We are happy to make them available to you directly to use in any other communication tools you may use. Please email Krista Kittle, Communication Coordinator, if you would like any/all of these graphics.
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In 2021, 100% of NCI’s qualifying primary care partners maintained their annual recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a NYS Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) practice at the 2017 standard, the most recent standard available. The partners are:
- Carthage Area Hospital
- Child & Adolescent Health Associates
- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center
- Clifton-Fine Hospital
- Complete Family Care & Laser Center
- Family Medicine of Carthage
- Nancy A. Girard, DO
- Lowville Medical Associates
- North Country Family Health Center
- Ogdensburg Family Practice
- Pediatric Associates of Watertown
- River Hospital
- Samaritan Medical Center
- Watertown Internists
- Watertown Pediatrics
PCMH recognition is given to practices in NYS that meet a rigorous set of qualifications within six concept areas:
- Team-Based Care and Practice Organization
- Knowing and Managing Your Patients
- Patient-Centered Access and Continuity
- Care Management and Support
- Care Coordination and Care Transitions
- Performance Measurement and Quality Improvement
The principles of patient-centered care align with the momentum toward value-based payment, and ensuring that patients get the right care at the right time, at the right place.
Since 2010, FDRHPO’s team of Practice Transformation Specialists has assisted primary care practices in Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, and St. Lawrence Counties achieve PCMH recognition. For more information about FDRHPO’s Practice Transformation services, visit https://fdrhpo.org/health-information-technology/practice-transformation/. For more information about NYS PCMH, visit https://www.health.ny.gov/technology/innovation_plan_initiative/pcmh/faqs.htm.
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3) Digital Inclusion Coalition
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This Digital Inclusion Coalition is a collaboration between FDRHPO and Adirondack Health Institute (AHI) and is an extension of a long-standing relationship working on expanding and supporting regional telehealth initiatives. This is an initiative made possible by the New York Digital Inclusion Fund, which is designed to support innovative partnership models that accelerate digital inclusion across New York State and recognizes the need for affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills. The purpose of this funding is to increase the number of digital inclusion partnerships across communities throughout New York State and to advance digital equity by addressing barriers to digital inclusion.
This project first involves the formation of the coalition, made up of a diverse group of telehealth experts and providers in the region including healthcare professionals, community leaders, telecommunications professionals, broadband advocates, local universities, library systems, and other digital equity stakeholders. In this coming year, the coalition meets monthly after the initial meeting held during the first quarter of 2022. The work of the coalition includes assisting in conducting a needs assessment informed by both community members and healthcare organizations and developing implementation plans to address digital inclusion barriers, ultimately ensuring telehealth services are sustainable, accessible, and affordable throughout the North Country region.
One of the coalition's first priorities is to develop a survey designed to identify barriers to telehealth access and implementation, with the goal to identify what barriers are most common for our regional stakeholders (broadband access, technology access for community members, low digital literacy, or any others).
For more information about this coalition, please email Megan Donato at FDRHPO.
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4) Meet Our New Team Members!
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Mariah Baker joins FDRHPO as an Administrative Assistant to support IT/Compliance, Workforce, Population Health, and Behavioral Health teams. She comes to us from Beltone Hearing Care, where she has been a Patient Care Coordinator, working in Teams and Excel to create weekly goals, organize schedules, organize marketing events, and interface with patients. Mariah also has nearly two years of experience as a tier one help desk specialist.
Mariah is originally from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and has resided in the Watertown area for two years. She is passionate about baking and enjoys spending time outdoors with her two dogs, Olive and Chief, and husband Jake.
Heather Petrie joins North Country Initiative as a Practice Transformation Specialist. She comes to us from the North Country Family Health Center (NCFHC) where she has been working as a Community Health Worker since 2019. Her work has revolved around addressing patient barriers to care, to include social determinants of health. She has extensive work in care gap closures, EMR documentation to include ICD coding for quality compliance, working with HealtheConnections, and has been instrumental in helping NCFHC provide transitional care management to their Medicaid patients. Heather has an associate degree in Humanities and Social Psychology and soon will be receiving her bachelor’s degree in Human Development. She is also trained in Bridges Out of Poverty, Health Literacy, and Trauma-Informed Care.
Heather is originally from Detroit, Michigan and currently lives in Adams Center. She has three children at home ages 15, 14 and 11. In her spare time, Heather likes to read and volunteer in the community.
Please join us in welcoming Mariah and Heather to our team!
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MARCH TELEHEALTH COLLABORATIVE
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The North Country Telehealth Partnership March Telehealth Learning Collaborative will feature regulatory updates from DOH, OMH, OASAS, and CMS. Our featured presentation will be given by Nancy DelMastro to provide information on the new North Country Digital Inclusion Coalition.
Monday, March 21, 2022
2 - 3 pm
To register, click HERE.
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BROADBAND DISBURSEMENT MATERIALS
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In Governor Hochul's State of the State, she announced two key broadband initiatives as priorities for NYS: the Broadband Assessment Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Feel free to share these informational flyers with your clients to either 1) encourage their participation in the Broadband Assessment survey or 2) be made aware of the Affordable Connectivity Program internet access opportunity that may be available to them. These flyers can be accessed by clicking on the images above or in the description of each initiative.
- Broadband Assessment Program – To increase public participation in our state’s broadband mapping efforts, this survey will be a key tool in directing future funds and better understanding local broadband needs. Click HERE for more information.
- Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – The ACP is an FCC program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. Click HERE for more information.
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HAPPY DOCTORS' DAY - MARCH 30
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National Doctors' Day is celebrated each year on March 30th to honor and recognize the commitment, compassion, and expertise that physicians dedicate to their patients, profession, and community. Throughout the COVID pandemic, and every day of the year, we are grateful for your compassion, commitment, and expertise in caring our families, friends and neighbors.
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