KENTUCKY REGIONAL EXTENSION CENTER

Kentucky REC Premier Partner Award – KHIE

Kentucky REC Premier Partner Award – KHIE

Kentucky REC is proud to work with so many organizations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our fellow Kentuckians. Presentations were made at our Annual Conference on Oct 24th in Lexington.

Premier Partner Award – KHIE

The Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE), under the leadership of Andrew Bledsoe, Deputy Executive Director of the Office of Inspector General and KHIE, has been a driving force in transforming healthcare connectivity across the state.

For over fourteen years, the partnership between KHIE and the Kentucky Regional Extension Center (KYREC) has been essential in fostering a truly connected healthcare environment in Kentucky.

Through their tireless efforts, KHIE has helped healthcare providers adopt EHRs, promote interoperability, and build a foundation for better patient care and more effective public health reporting.

This award recognizes KHIE’s longstanding commitment to advancing health initiatives and improving community well-being.
Thanks to Andrew’s leadership, KHIE has led the charge, ensuring seamless data sharing, improving care coordination, and driving innovations in health information technology. KHIE’s unwavering dedication to collaboration has not only elevated patient outcomes but also set the benchmark for interoperability and technological excellence in healthcare.

KHIE’s work over the years has redefined what’s possible when health organizations unite their strengths. By bridging technological gaps and creating innovative solutions, KHIE has become a model for success in interoperability, making a lasting impact on public health in Kentucky.

The Premier Partner Award is a testament to the visionary leadership and continued commitment to enhancing healthcare for all Kentuckians. Congratulations, KHIE! 

 

Kentucky REC Client Excellence Awards – Norton Healthcare

Kentucky REC is proud to work with so many organizations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our fellow Kentuckians. Presentations were made at our Annual Conference on Oct 24th in Lexington.

Hospital Promoting Interoperability Award – Norton Healthcare

Norton Healthcare is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and beyond. The not-for-profit hospital and health care system has five Louisville-based hospitals, three hospitals in Southern Indiana and one under construction in West Louisville, scheduled to open next month.

Our primary contact at Norton for the Medicare PI Program is Kathleen Lyons. She is the Manager of Hospital Promoting Interoperability at Norton Healthcare in Louisville, and has been with Norton for almost 20 years. She received her Associate’s in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Kathleen has over 30 years of experience in healthcare, ranging from bedside nursing, practice administration and research to healthcare informatics. 

We began our partnership on the Medicare PI Program in 2014. We have monthly calls, provide education, and really drill-down on program details. Kathleen is usually the first client hospital to contact us when new legislation drops. She has an incredible work ethic and Norton Healthcare is lucky to have her. We help monitor their PI reports to track trends in their data. Kathleen shares weekly reports with us. Year after year, Norton exceeds requirements and successfully attests to the Medicare PI Program. 

Over the past 10 years, we have not only developed a great working relationship, but a friendship as well. We are so proud of Norton’s consistent PI performance.

Congratulations to Norton Healthcare on your award, it is very well deserved. We hope to work together for another 10 years!

 

Kentucky REC Client Excellence Awards – Kentucky Health Center Network

Kentucky REC is proud to work with so many organizations committed to improving the health of our fellow Kentuckians. Presentations were made at our Annual Conference on Oct 24th in Lexington.

HIPAA Excellence Award

Kentucky Health Center Network (KHCN) supports 27 organizations comprising over 600 clinic sites, playing a pivotal role in advancing healthcare security across Kentucky. Under the leadership of CEO Jennifer NeSmith, KHCN has set the gold standard for HIPAA compliance and data security in community health centers.

The continued funding provides technical assistance and support to help safeguard electronic protected health information and keeping the supported organizations up to date and compliant with HIPAA regulations. This unwavering commitment to HIPAA security not only strengthens patient trust but also elevates the entire healthcare system in Kentucky.

Jennifer NeSmith’s leadership has been instrumental in the powerful partnership between the Kentucky Health Center Network and the Kentucky Regional Extension Center. Together, we have driven significant advancements in health IT adoption, security, and interoperability, ensuring that health centers can focus on delivering exceptional, patient-centered care.

Thanks to Jennifer’s vision and KHCN’s support, community health centers are better positioned to protect sensitive health information, while streamlining care for Kentucky’s most vulnerable populations. Her efforts have undeniably helped create a safer, more efficient healthcare system, making KHCN a worthy recipient of the HIPAA Excellence Award from Kentucky REC.

Congratulations to Kentucky Health Center Network for their HIPAA Excellence Award!

Kentucky REC Client Excellence Awards – Commonwealth Sleep and Rehab

Kentucky REC is proud to work with so many organizations committed to improving the health of our fellow Kentuckians. Awardees were chosen by the advisor team and presentations were made at our Annual Conference on Oct 24th in Lexington.

Commonwealth Sleep and Rehab is a small practice in Lexington that overcame many challenges and obstacles this past year. Their practice and EHR were greatly impacted by a cybersecurity event that caused challenges for practices across the nation. Through their dedication to their MIPS processes and quality workflows, they were able to keep momentum not just for the program, but for the wellbeing of their patients.

Their practice administrator was able to work closely with clinical staff and their coding and billing team to ensure that quality workflows were still being completed for patients and that documentation for MIPS reporting was maintained, no matter how many changes they needed to make. Their quick action and teamwork allowed them to maneuver effectively through these changes, reducing the impact to their patients and performance.

Congratulations to Commonwealth Sleep and Rehab for their Quality & Value Excellence Award!

QPP Webinar Oct 15: Hidden Quality Measures

QPP Webinar: HIDDEN QUALITY MEASURES: UNDERSTANDING IMPACTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS QUALITY PERFORMANCE*
Tuesday OCTOBER 15, 2024 @ 12PM ET

Did you know that your practice may be scored on more than the six required quality measures you submit to the Quality Payment Program (QPP)? While eligible clinicians and group practices are required to submit six clinical quality measures to receive a score for the quality performance category, there are an additional four administrative claims-based measures that may potentially impact your overall performance in the QPP.

Learn how these measures are triggered for inclusion and what you need to know to best prepare for evaluation. You will gain insight into the linkages between these “hidden” measures and their influence in the overall MIPS performance and future payment adjustments for your organization.

Interested in becoming a QPP client? As a client, you receive exclusive access to our analysis of all aspects of the Quality Payment Program. To speak with the team on how we can best support you, feel free to contact us HERE.

Mark your calendars for “HIDDEN QUALITY MEASURES: UNDERSTANDING IMPACTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS QUALITY PERFORMANCE*” on Tuesday, October 15th at 12pm EST.

*This webinar is for Kentucky REC contracted QPP clients only. If you are interested in this topic and would like to learn more about becoming a client, please contact us at (859) 323-3090 or email us at KY***@uk*.edu. We aim to be your trusted healthcare advisor!

Kentucky REC Annual Conference Oct 24th: SDOH Roundtable

Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speakers – In Person and Online

Oct. 24 2024, Lexington Kentucky, The Campbell House

Collaborative Solutions: SDOH Strategies and Innovative Approaches

Expert Roundtable

Join us for a dynamic roundtable discussion on how technology, policy, and community engagement converge to address social drivers of health. Our expert panelists will share insights on integrating SDOH data, fostering sustainable initiatives, and overcoming challenges in diverse communities.

Discover how you can apply innovative strategies and best practices that are shaping the future of health equity. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, policymaker, or community leader, this conversation will equip you with actionable solutions to drive meaningful change in your work.

Panelists:
Rachel Hogg-Graham, UK HealthCare
Tukea Talbert, UK HealthCare
Laura Eirich, UK HealthCare
Andrew Bledsoe, KHIE
Trudi Matthews, UK HealthCare

Questions? Contact us at KY***@uk*.edu“>Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.

Kentucky REC Annual Conference Agenda

Thursday, October 24

8:00 —Registration, Coffee with Advisors & Exhibitors
8:30 — Welcome
8:45 — Security Incident Response Plan - A Tabletop Exercise

Amy Daley, Kentucky REC
Colin Glover, CISA
Ryan Lewis, CISA

CISA Representatives Colin Glover and Ryan Lewis join Kentucky REC Security Team Lead Amy Daley in a tabletop exercise based on vetted cybersecurity scenarios that allow for active participation from the audience. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of the current incident response plans and/or policies to review during the exercise.

9:45 — Break & Networking
10:00 — Transforming Care: QI Approaches to Address SDOH

Trudi Matthews, UK HealthCare
Jessica Sass, UK HealthCare

Trudi Matthews and Jessica Sass will lead a discussion of evidence based quality improvement approaches to address social drivers of health and improve patient care and well-being. 

10:50 — Collaborative Solutions: SDOH Strategies and Innovative Approaches

Rachel Hogg-Graham, UK HealthCare
Tukea Talbert, UK HealthCare
Andrew Bledsoe, KHIE
Laura Eirich, UK HealthCare
Trudi Matthews, UK HealthCare

Join us for a dynamic roundtable discussion of how technology, policy, and community engagement converge to address social drivers of health. 

11:35 — Lunch
12:15 — KEYNOTE SPEAKER Harold Dennis Jr.

Destiny: Choice, Not Chance

Harold Dennis Jr, survivor of the worst drunk driving accident in US history, takes you on a journey from tragedy to triumph, sharing stories of grit and determination. 

1:30— Break & Networking
1:45 — Medicare Promoting Interoperability: Key Considerations for Hospitals

Robin Curnel, Kentucky REC

Expert Kentucky REC Advisor Robin Curnel will discuss the challenges posed to hospitals attesting to the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program. She will review PY 2024 requirements, SAFER Guides, and more.

2:15 — Human-Factors Design: Quality Improvement Strategy with Intention

Jessica Elliott, Kentucky REC

Quality Team Lead Jessica Elliott will discuss core concepts of human-factors design principles and their application in the creation of a safe, efficient, and patient-centered clinical care environment. 

3:15  — Closing Remarks

Questions? Contact us at KY***@uk*.edu“>Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.