SEPTEMBER 2015 EDITION
 
U-M developed value-based insurance design concept headed for Medicare Advantage pilot test


 
A health insurance model designed to improve care and cut costs ---- a concept that grew out of a decade of work at the University of Michigan ---- will be tested in seven states, according to an announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).


 
 
 
Easing the wait for cancer test results: Could telemedicine help?


In a recent issue of JAMA Oncology, Angela Fagerlin, Ph.D., U-M associate professor of internal medicine, and Ted A. Skolarus, M.D., M.P.H., U-M assistant professor of urology, authored a Viewpoint article titled "Rethinking Patient-Physician Communication of Biopsy Resultss ---- The Waiting Game." In the article, they conclude, "Telemedicine approaches can potentially relieve much of the anxiety associated with in-person consultations while delivering bad news in a timely, compassionate, and patient-centered manner."

 
 
Michigan's Medicaid expansion experience outlined in new article


One year into the expansion, Michigan's experience has confirmed some expectations but vastly exceeded others. In a Health Affairs Blog post, IHPI member and Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation Director Marianne Udow-Phillips, M.H.S.A., Richard Hirth, Ph.D., M.A., U-M professor of health management and policy, and IHPI Director John Ayanian, M.D., M.P.P., share Michigan's path to expansion.
 
 
 
U-M researchers explain why sepsis is largely unknown and why there is a need to rethink treatment and care

Most Americans have never heard of it, but according to new federal data, sepsis is the most expensive cause of hospitalization in the U.S. Jack Iwashyna, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of internal medicine, and Hallie Prescott, M.D., M.Sc., assistant professor of internal medicine, wrote an article for The Conversation explaining why sepsis is so dangerous, and advocating for new thinking around the treatment and care of the condition.

 
 
Is it cyberbullying? New U-M poll finds parents' views differ on how schools should respond

The digital age has given teens new platforms for cruelty: A social media prank intended to embarrass a classmate. Spreading online rumors about peers. Posting unflattering pictures of others. While many parents are concerned about cyberbullying, they are conflicted when it comes to actually defining it and determining appropriate punishments, according to a new national results poll from the National Poll on Children's Health, run by IHPI members from U-M's C.C. Mott Children's Hospital.


 
 
Death & money in the ICU: Pneumonia findings surprise U-M researchers

What's the best place to care for an older person with pneumonia, both for their own chance of surviving, and the wisest use of healthcare dollars? New research just published by a U-M team yields some surprises about this common reason for seniors to end up in the hospital. In many cases, they find, the intensive care unit may be both the safest and the most cost-effective place for patients to get care.

 
  NEWS
 
 
U-M researcher discusses BRCA1 and BRCA2 screenings and early medical decisions

In the past, genetic testing was often an afterthought for a woman already diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. Now, screening is happening sooner. IHPI member Sarah Hawley, Ph.D., U-M professor of internal medicine, discusses BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and the subsequent odds of developing breast cancer later in life in HOUR Detroit magazine. For women who test positive for either mutation, the conventional recommendation is to have preventive surgery.

 
 



 
 

The Institute brings great minds together to address healthcare's biggest challenges. More than 470 investigators come to IHPI from U-M's top-ranked schools of medicine, nursing, public health, engineering, social work, law, business, and public policy, among others, as well as members of affiliated local research organizations. 

 
 
Nallamothu advocates for regionalized care for heart emergencies

U-M professor of internal medicine Brahmajee Nallamothu, M.D., M.P.H., recently published a column for MLive advocating for regionalized care for heart emergencies. By coordinating care across hospitals and encouraging them to work as partners, physicians could deliver the right resources to the right patient at the right time, saving lives, he says.


 
 
Adler-Milstein to be recognized as emerging leader in health IT

The American Journal of Managed Care is celebrating its 20th year of publication. As part of the year-long celebration, a new annual award was created to recognize an individual whose early achievements in managed care research demonstrate the potential for making an exceptional long-term contribution as a leader in the field. Julia Adler-Milstein, Ph.D., U-M assistant professor in the School of Information, will be awarded the Seema S. Sonnad Emerging Leader in Managed Care Research Award (ELMCRA) on October 28 at the journal's 20th anniversary celebration.

 
 
Zimmerman receives $6M from CDC to advance youth violence prevention work   

A center at the University of Michigan focused on youth violence prevention has received $6 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to continue its study of what happens when blighted neighborhoods that contribute to violence are transformed. The Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center, directed by Marc Zimmerman, professor of health behavior and health education at the U-M School of Public Health, will study how improving vacant properties in three U.S. cities affects violence, property crimes and intentional injuries among youth.

 
 
Ellimoottil awarded article of the year

Chandy Ellimoottil, M.D., M.S., clinical lecturer in the Department of Urology, was selected as an awardee for the 2014 HCUP Outstanding Article of the Year Award for his paper in JAMA Surgery, "Effect of insurance expansion on utilization of inpatient surgery" (co-authored by Sarah Miller, John Ayanian, and David Miller). He was recognized at the 2015 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting in Minneapolis. The award was sponsored by AHRQ and AcademyHealth.   

 
  EVENTS
 
 
U-M health care "Vested Interest" conference featuring ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Richard Besser, M.D.

Date: October 1 -- 2, 2015
Location: University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School

The Center for the History of Medicine and IHPI are proud to co-sponsor the conference "Vested Interests: Who Really Influences American Medicine, Public Health and Health Policy" on October 1 -- 2, 2015 at the Rackham Graduate School.

The conference will kick off on October 1 with a public keynote talk from Richard Besser, M.D., ABC News chief health and medical editor, followed by a question and answer panel moderated by Jonathan Cohn, senior national correspondent for the Huffington Post. Panelists include:
  • John McDonough, Dr.P.H., M.P.A., professor of the Practice of Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health
  • Christopher Koller, president, Milbank Memorial Fund
  • Nicholas Bagley, J.D., associate professor of law, University of Michigan School of Law
On October 2, four unique RSVP-only academic sessions will convene for focused discussions on vested interests in:
  • Food Producers/Fast Food Industry
  • Big Pharma and Biotech
  • Environmental Health
  • Universities/Academic Medical Centers & Conflicts of Interest
 
 
U-M Opioid Overdose Summit

Date: December 1, 2015
Location: University of Michigan, Palmer Commons

Join IHPI and the U-M Injury Center for a day of science-based exploration and learning on an emerging public health issue: overdose injury and death related to opioids (prescription pain medications). Researchers, clinicians, and public health practitioners are encouraged to attend as well as the general public who have an interest in the topic.

 
U-M performed very first organ transplant in the State of Michigan; launches new hand transplant program

The University of Michigan performed the first tranplant surgery in the State of Michigan in 1964. That year, a surgery team performed the first live donor kidney transplant. Since its inception in 1964, the University of Michigan Transplant Center has become the largest and most experienced transplant center in Michigan and among the largest in the nation.

This month, the center launched the first of its kind hand transplant program in the State of Michigan. 

 
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ABOUT IHPI
The Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation is committed to improving the quality, safety, equity, and affordability of health care services

To carry out our ambitious mission, our efforts are focused in four areas:
  • Evaluating the impact of healthcare reforms
  • Improving the health of communities
  • Promoting greater value in healthcare
  • Innovating in IT and healthcare delivery

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IHPI Informs is published monthly by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation.
 
CONTACT US
U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation
North Campus Research Complex (NCRC)
2800 Plymouth Road, Building 16
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Christina Camilli-Whisenhunt
IHPI Communications Manager
[email protected]
734-764-9782

 

Kara Gavin

IHPI Research & Policy Media Relations Manager

[email protected] 

734-764-2220

 

Eileen Kostanecki

IHPI Government & External Relations Director

[email protected]

202-554-0578

 

Colleen Sherman

UMHS Corporate and Foundation Relations Associate Director

[email protected]

734-615-0040