October 2022 | Issue 19
NOVEMBER OBSERVANCES: TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, or commonly, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Heritage Month. This month celebrates the heritage, cultures, traditions and experiences of Native and Indigenous peoples. Explore AIAN Heritage Month events from the National Indian Health Board, including a celebratory, virtual lecture series held every Monday during the month of November (no registration required).

If you missed it last year, you can also check out the recording of Joy Harjo, the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, and Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary, in a conversation with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden (running time: 30 minutes and 24 seconds).
-
American Diabetes Month
AIAN populations have a greater risk for developing diabetes than any other U.S. racial group, and in about two out of every three Native Americans with kidney failure, diabetes it the cause. Team-based and population approaches to manage diabetes and reduce kidney failure have contributed to important improvements among AIAN communities. Check out these tools and resources to support diabetes management:
-
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month
According to the CDC, the percentage of AIAN adults diagnosed with COPD has steadily risen over the last few years, and AIAN populations have the highest prevalence rate compared to any other race or ethnicity. Several national and world organizations offer information and resources for providers:
WHAT'S NEW FROM PATH
TeamSTEPPS Supplemental Guide | Access guide
This guide supports leaders and staff working in health care to improve collaboration,
teamwork and communication to provide safe and effective care by implementing TeamSTEPPS,
an evidence-based approach to improve organizational culture and reduce harm.
-
Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) Guidance | Access handout
Get a summarized overview of when and how to use the ABN form, also known as the
waiver of liability, for patients with Medicare.
IN THE KNOW
Medicaid and CHIP Beneficiary Outreach | Check out "unwinding" toolkit
When the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, states will resume routine operations,
including eligibility terminations for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Reviewing eligibility for these programs is called "unwinding," and health care providers
can play a key role in discussing unwinding activities and
retaining AIAN Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries. For more information, read this overview.
-
Indian Health Service Tele-education Webinars | Learn more
Sponsored by the IHS Tele-Behavioral Health Center of Excellence these educational webinars
are intended for health care team members. Upcoming topics include trauma and
stress disorders and integrating AIAN culture into clinics.
IHS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Onsite Visits are Back: Supporting Quality Improvement Face-to-Face
COVID-19 put the brakes on Partnership to Advance Tribal Health (PATH) team members arranging onsite visits with IHS hospital and area office staff. While any necessary precautions are still in place, quality improvement advisors (QIAs) are excited to once again get to work with IHS partners face-to-face. 

Learn how one facility took advantage of an onsite visit to support preparation for an upcoming patient-centered medical home (PCMH) survey.
PATH EVENTS OVERVIEW
Thank you to everyone who participated in our PATH Learning Circle session Workplace Violence ll: From Agitation to Aggression: Responses to Take with Patients and Visitors.

Your participation in polls, chat communication and post-event evaluations indicate how the PATH team can best support your facilities and help your peers with possible challenges. You can access the recording, key takeaways and additional documents from this session.
Registration is now open!
The PATH team is excited to host experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Indian Health Service (IHS) for a discussion on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Bacteremia and Clostridioides difficile (CDI) Laboratory Identified (LabID) Event Reporting. All staff who are currently working on, are new to or are curious about National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting are invited to attend. This event is free, but registration is required. Please be sure to save the meeting invite to your calendar once you have registered.

Session information: 
  • Day: Wednesday, November 9
  • Time: 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET l 12:00-1:30 p.m. CT | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MT | 10:00-11:30 a.m. PT
  • Register now.
  • Contact: PATH@Comagine.org
 
Looking Ahead
We are excited to host more PATH events! Upcoming topics include improving emergency department flow and use, Emergency Severity Index (ESI), NHSN reporting, staff-to-staff harassment, incivility, intimidation and more. More information to come! Keep an eye on your inboxes!
 
Did You Know?
We know life happens, and though you may have wanted to attend a live event, you were unable due to a time conflict or any other many possible reasons. Not to worry! PATH has got you covered. Many of our past event recordings, key takeaways, flyers and resources can be found on our event page on our website. 

Please feel free to check out our PATH Events page if you missed an event or would like a refresher. While you are there, check out some of our other postings and materials available to you.
PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE TRIBAL HEALTH (PATH) | Visit the PATH website
This material was prepared by Comagine Health for the American Indian Alaska Native Healthcare Quality Initiative under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. NQIIC-AIHQI-280-10/24/2022