David Owens

The American Public Health Association welcomes the Surgeon General's Advisory on Firearm Violence This important advisory will help to educate the public about the devastating toll that gun violence takes on the health of our nation through suicide, violent crime and unintentional shootings. It also includes important recommendations outlining a public health approach to addressing this crisis, including improving research and data collection, implementing community violence reduction programs, requiring safe storage of firearms and keeping firearms out of the wrong hands through the implementation of universal background checks for all firearm purchases and extreme risk protection orders and domestic violence protection orders. In the United States, gun violence is a major public health crisis and a leading cause of preventable premature death. It is particularly stark among children and adolescents, a population for which firearm-related violence is the leading cause of death. In 2022, more than 48,000 individuals, including more than 4,600 children and adolescents, died as a result of gun violence and many more suffered nonfatal gun injuries. In addition to the direct loss of lives due to firearm violence, children and others are struggling with the mental health implications caused by the all-too-common acts of firearm violence in our schools, places of worship and other public venues where we gather with family and friends. Preventing death, disability and injury from gun violence requires a comprehensive public health approach. We welcome the Surgeon General’s advisory and the funding Congress has provided for gun violence prevention research. APHA will continue our efforts to advocate for this important funding and other measures to reduce gun violence, working with Congress and the Biden administration to address this ongoing public health threat. We also call on all Americans to raise their voice and take action to end gun violence.” Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gYfUa93C #PublicHealth #Violence #Advocacy #APHA

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⚖️ Ask Congress to Pass the Living Donor Protection Act (LDPA) (H.R. 2923/S. 1384) ⚖️ Bill - H. R. 2923 - Living Donor Protection Act of 2023 Congress.gov link: https://lnkd.in/ejwZnZuB. ⚖️ Bill - S. 1384 - Living Donor Protection Act Congress.gov link: https://lnkd.in/eatNPzWj ⚖️ The Living Donor Protection Act (LDPA) is a bipartisan bill intended to: 🔹Prevent insurance discrimination against living organ donors by prohibiting life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based solely on organ donor status. 🔹 The LDPA seeks to include living organ donation as a qualifying event under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), ensuring organ donor job protection during surgery and recovery. ❓ Did you know that roughly one in four living organ donors face difficulties obtaining or affording life, disability, and long-term care insurance after their selfless act of donation? 📈 This statistic is not just concerning; it is unacceptable, especially when 12 kidney patients die each day waiting for a transplant. ⚖️ Together, we can ensure that living organ donors can give the gift of life without fear of insurance discrimination or job loss. 📧 How can you support the Living Donor Protection Act of 2023 (LDPA)? Please take a moment and send the letter using the link below to ask Congress to support the Living Donor Protection Act of 2023. Thank you for your time. National Kidney Foundation #mykidneyvoice

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CONSUMERS, BEWARE OF FRAUDSTERS AND MERCENARIES in the hospice space: Program integrity is so important amidst the fraudulent activity in the hospice space. But there are ways to separate the “wheat from the chaff” so to speak. Hospice consumers deserve to know which providers are trustworthy and are in hospice care to help people die comfortably and with dignity. Hospice companies who are in the business for the right reasons do not need to worry about the need to escape “the ever-growing fraudulent activity in the space.” As my father always said: The cream always rises to the top.” Regulators know which companies are in it for the wrong reasons but if they do over-regulate to compensate for that—they will harm the good companies. There are providers who start a hospice company to capitalize on the volume of people entering their last years of life; only to flip the company in three years, pocket the profit, and move on. And then, there are others who plan to invest in hospices as a long-term money-making enterprise until they reach their personal financial goals. That is one of the reasons why I wrote my book called, “Surviving Hospice: A Chaplain’s Journey . . . It explains how to discern which providers place patients and their families as their primary stakeholders and which companies use dying people as a vehicle to generate a lot of money. I provide the critical information on making a good hospice selection in Part II of my book. No other hospice book includes this information. If you enjoyed the book, “The Big Short,” written by Michael Lewis, my book is narrated in the same format: Using patient stories to highlight the mercenary nature of investor-owned hospices. It’s unfortunate that the bad apples have given hospice care a black eye. I was determined not to let that be the final word. Hospice care is the best way to have a good death—if, you have a reliable partner who wants to uplift humanity instead of feeding the greedy monster within. No medical care is perfect; including end-of-life care, but I list the top nonprofit and for-profit hospices in the State of Wisconsin. The guidelines I give for choosing a good provider will work in every state. Do not be afraid of the idea of hospice; but do be wary of the fraudsters and mercenaries who have hijacked this amazing benefit. Unfortunately, the hospice company that hired me in 2010, was in it from the start with a very specific agenda: grow their company, sell to a private equity firm, recapitalize, and rake in the money. The original owners had expensive taste and opulent dreams. The vision was always about placating a hunger for experiences, real estate, and new business opportunities. I don’t usually care what folks do with their hard-earned money; but, not when it’s at the expense of the dying, their families, and the loyal hospice clinical teams who pour their hearts into compensating for those who maximize profits by reducing services to pts. www.hospicehelppro.com

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Why Rural Healthcare is the Lifeblood of a Thriving Community Rural healthcare is more than a set of services—it’s the backbone of a community’s ability to sustain itself and grow. When healthcare thrives in rural areas, it creates a ripple effect that touches every aspect of life. 🩺 Healthy Communities Lead to Healthy Economies Access to quality care ensures that people can work, provide for their families, and contribute to the local economy. Employers depend on a strong healthcare infrastructure to attract and retain talent. 🌱 A Foundation for Growth Communities can’t grow without people—and people won’t stay where they can’t get the care they need. Rural healthcare ensures families can plant roots and businesses can flourish. ❤️ Care Close to Home Matters For many rural residents, the nearest urban healthcare center can be hours away. Having care close to home is not just convenient—it can be lifesaving. 🌟 Healthcare as a Community Builder Healthcare facilities in rural areas often become central to community identity. They provide jobs, foster relationships, and offer a sense of security and hope. Rural healthcare is a challenge worth championing. It’s not just about providing care—it’s about building a sustainable future for our communities. As we continue to invest in healthcare in rural areas, we’re investing in the people who make these places so special. How has rural healthcare impacted your community? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments. Let’s keep this vital conversation going.

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Read the articles of the new issue of the #quality #patientsafety

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Sixteen national and international EMS, patient safety, and public policy associations have united to release a powerful Joint Statement on EMS Performance Metrics. This forward-thinking initiative prioritizes patient-centered care and the evaluation of EMS system effectiveness using a broad, balanced set of measures and is a call to action to both EMS leaders and elected officials. This is the future of EMS. #EMS #morethanresponsetimes

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We are gaining nationwide recognition for addressing the long-standing staffing crisis in our industry. It is crucial to acknowledge our industry's staff as professionals, invest in their development, and witness the growth of care and programming continuity. #staffingcrisis #professionaldevelopment #healthcareindustry

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📢 Healthcare Professionals Alert: Continuing Education Opportunity! 🎓 Are you looking to stay at the forefront of healthcare administration and earn valuable CEUs? Then mark your calendar! 🗓️ The Florida Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Administrators (ACHCA) is thrilled to announce an all-day educational symposium via Zoom on Thursday, June 20th, 2024. This is an exceptional opportunity to connect with industry peers, update your knowledge base, and earn up to 6 LIVE NAB-approved CEUs! Here's what you can look forward to: 🔹 2-Hour Medical Error Prevention for APPs - Dive deep into best practices and strategies to minimize medical errors and enhance patient safety. 🔹 1-Hour Leadership Session by FHCA - Sharpen your leadership skills with insights from top industry professionals. 🔹 2-Hour NHSN Reporting and Survey Deficiencies by Alliant Health Solutions - Stay informed about the latest in NHSN reporting requirements and understand common survey deficiencies to improve your facility's compliance. 🔹 1-Hour Human Trafficking Course by One More Child - Gain crucial knowledge in identifying and responding to instances of human trafficking, an essential component of social responsibility in healthcare. Don't miss out on this comprehensive symposium tailored specifically for healthcare administrators and professionals! ✅ Registration opens on May 20th, 2024. Be ready to secure your spot for this enlightening event! #HealthcareAdministration #ContinuingEducation #ACHCA #FLChapter #HealthcareLeadership #MedicalErrorPrevention #HumanTraffickingAwareness #EarnCEUs #HealthcareProfessionals #ZoomSymposium #ACHCAFloridaChapter #ProfessionalDevelopment #HealthcareEvents #LeadershipTraining #HealthcareCompliance #PatientSafety Feel free to tag colleagues or share this post with anyone who would benefit from this symposium!

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Was honored that David M. Williams, Ph.D. asked me to create a podcast with him to discuss the launch of his new book - Transform Your EMS Organization with Quality as an Organizational Strategy. If you’re leading an ambulance service, you know the stakes are high. Quality as an Organizational Strategy: Building a System of Improvement offers a practical framework to help you streamline operations, improve outcomes, and build a culture of continuous improvement. Drawing from improvement science and W. Edwards Deming’s management philosophy, this book provides a roadmap to align every aspect of your service—from planning and measurement to execution—focused on quality. 5 Key Activities for Leaders: Purpose – Clarify and communicate your organization’s purpose. System View – Map how all processes work together to improve patient care and operational efficiency. Develop a vector of measures to act as vital signs of the system’s performance. Customer Focus – Use holistic relevant insights to understand the patient and community need the organization is fulfilling. Planning to Improve – A method to create plans that drive meaningful improvement. Management Improvement Efforts – Lead a portfolio of projects that deliver both immediate results and long-term success. Available via Amazon here: https://lnkd.in/g7q5qN2S https://lnkd.in/gxnRNXW3

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It’s #NationalHealthCenterWeek, and America’s more than 1,400 community health centers are a vital part of the clinical care foundation for neighborhoods and communities across urban and rural America. Access to care is one crucial component of what is needed to solve the challenges of improving health status, especially of rural communities. Federally qualified community health centers provide critical and affordable access to health care for rural residents affected by hospital closures and not yet fully served by remote clinical care or hub and spoke models. Rural populations continue to face significant health care disparities including access to specialty and obstetrical care, higher poverty rates, lower educational attainment, and overall worsening health status compared to urban populations. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Research and Action Institute emphasized that we must better define and address how to improve rural health with targeted solutions – including increasing geographic access and reducing barriers to care, as well as expanding social investments in rural communities such as poverty reduction and educational opportunities. Read our full brief on rural health:

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Are you a community hospital considering joint ventures or partnerships? The CHC presents 5 crucial discussion points for you to explore: - Shared resources and expertise - Risk sharing - Leveraging scale - Expanded service lines - Improved financial performance These key elements can guide your decision-making process and help you navigate potential collaborations successfully. #Healthcare #Partnerships #Collaboration

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The 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan is ready for public comment. The plan outlines federal health IT goals and objectives focused on improving access to health data, delivering a more equitable healthcare experience, and modernizing the nation’s public health data infrastructure. Comments on the draft plan are due by May 28.

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Health equity doesn’t exist in any state in the Union. Disparities are often manifested by non-medical drivers fueled by political determinants. Systemically, value-based care is meant to address these. Inherently, VBC frameworks are architecturally designed to close these gaps. Sadly, we are far from it as economic and payment models still incentivize services for isolated fees. It’s time for change! How? What do you think it’s needed? While progress is underway, what changes are still missing?

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