This week and last, I have noticed that even the most enthusastic and committed people involved in this project get tired, discouraged and need a break.  Some others not intimately involved in the on-the-ground daily work of innovation might mistake our human response to rapid change as a reduction in commitment or motivation.  This is not the case.  Rather, it is a good reminder that we are not in a sprint...which is a short term race where you go all out and only have to hold on for a few moments or minutes. 

We are in a marathon- healthcare transformation takes time.  Every day we need to spend time focused on the changes we are  making, identifying roadblocks, communicating successes, updating the plan.  Even more importantly, we need to look back and see how far we've come...even if we're only at milepost 2 in a 26.2 mile adventure.  And we need to congratulate ourselves on choosing to join the event.  This is quite an endeavor and not for the faint-of- heart.   

We also can look around at those who act as our support team.  In any marathon event, there are people who encourage us, help give us a perspective.  Perhaps they have taken us away from intensity and helped us laugh, helped us relax.  For some, our support comes from co-workers, family, friends- maybe the dog.  Thank those support team members and let them know they too are making a difference in Whatcom County and beyond.   

So, as we pause to take a break, renew our resolve and move forward, remember...we are making a difference one relationship at a time.  Even in a marathon, you can take time to "smell the flowers and feel the sunshine/rain"

12:26:45 PM     comment []   Google It!  

You might note my month in review is late...sometimes, lives and projects move so quickly, we literally run to catch up.  And it's worth the extra effort because it's amazing what is happening in Whatcom County.  Below is a listing of activities in August...read them and know that many folks in this community are focused on something bigger than any one individual or organization. 

• All grant funded  positions filled with addition of Christine - data analyst
• Completion of the Clinical Care Specialist forms for intake of diabetic, CHF, and dual DM/CHF patients; Review and revision of several patient handouts for CHF.
• Final approval of the written Shared Care Plan (SCP),  continued process work on  use of the SCP when patients go to the clinics. Additional challenges include when and how the SCP is updated, particularly with the paper version.
• Began the CHF Registry implementation at Center for Senior Health and planned introductory "classes" for clinic staff and providers to facilitate same.
• Subgroup for the Electronic Shared Care Plan has met to define the entities  their attributes and the requirements definition document.  Also made progress toward web-site application security
• Moved into new St. Joseph’s donated space in the Chestnut building
• Completed Basic Metric Practice Data Collection for 4//5 pilot sites - Center For Senior Health, SeaMar, Family Health Associates, Ferndale Family Medical Center. North Cascade Cardiology is scheduled to do their Basic Metric Data Collection in September. This involved relationship building with staff, forms generation and implementation and training presentations.
• Touch screens Hardware Installed for the Patient Satisfaction Survey at Family Health Associates, Ferndale Family Medical Center. We are working on pre-wiring for the other 3 pilot sites for the hardware installation.
• Developed recruitment process for patient/family input.  Sign-up for patient/family representatives have begun.  Arrangements made with LifeQuest to give patients participating in redesign work to get discount on classes
• SeaMar identified their  diabetic patient population, trained the clinical staff on Last Word and use of the Diabetic Registry, trained staff to set-up patient accounts in Last Word and started the process to set-up diabetic patient accounts in Last Word.
• Interview with Kellogg Foundation and subsequent submission of materials for their review and possible funding
• IHI Technical assistance re:  reports – changes being planned to reports
• Jeff Graham instrumental in setting up connection with Washington Healthcare Authority Administration who agrees in concept with funding new services of redesigned healthcare system.  Invited to Systems Dynamics demo in October
• Joslin Diabetes Center contact yields their commitment to visit community and provide Diabetes education materials /intervention to interested community groups free of charge.  Patient and Clinician presentations planned.
• CHIC meets to discuss relationship between P2 and ongoing community work
• P2 Staff visit Eugene Senior Health and Wellness Center and Greenfield Idealized Site in Beaverton in prep for practice redesign/planned care changes
• Hospital work begins in earnest to support the chronic care model alignment on the Cardiovascular unit

12:05:18 PM     comment []   Google It!