Practice Support Newsletter

January 2025 

Measure of the Month: January is Cervical Cancer Screening Awareness Month

The American Cancer Society highlights the progress in decreasing cancer deaths for women by screening and preventions, but there is still work to be done to improve the screening rates across the country.  

"Cervical Cancer was once a leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. Today, screening and prevention have greatly reduced the impact of this form of cancer. Still, approximately 13,820 women in the United States are projected to receive a diagnosis of cervical cancer in 2024 and approximately 4,360 will die from the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute"

The details of the clinical quality measure focus on screening women 21-64 years of age for cervical cancer. Here are some ideas of how your practice can improve screening rates:

• Design and implement targeted interventions for your team to facilitate education and awareness.

• Offer opportunities to patients to be seen by a female provider for screening (if possible). 
  
• Include a question on patient intake/history forms related to PAP’s and HPV testing and have the care team review it with the patient during rooming  
  
• Schedule blocked time (1/2 day, full day) for cervical screening appointments where providers, patient navigators, and care teams are focused on the screening to improve the patient’s experience 
• Empower your providers to actively discuss the screening with patients at all appointment types
• Offer same day appointments for screening when needed

• Utilize your EHR to identify patients who are due for or past due for the screening.

• Send reminders to patients that are due for screening via the patients preferred method of communication (phone, text, postcards, portal message).

• Work with a South Piedmont AHEC Coach to create an approach that works for you!

Coding Corner: Cervical Cancer Screening Coding Tips  

• If the patient has exclusion criteria, use the appropriate code:

• The patient has had a hysterectomy with no residual cervix or absence of cervix. 
  
• The patient is in palliative care

• Document the date and the specific procedure completed when reviewing the patient’s history.

• Use NC HealthConnex to find results of screenings provided in other offices.
  

• Submit applicable codes based on service provided

*Source: Quick referenceGuide, HEDIS MY2024, for more information visit NCQA.org

*Reference: Wellcare of North Carolina

Regulatory Reminders: Get your Infection Control Answers

SPICE is an excellent source for infection control answers, information, and resources. The AskSPICE button is a great option to get your specific questions addressed. SPICE makes every effort to have responses within 24 hours. 

For those not familiar with the AskSPICE button, it is located on the SPICE homepage.

North Carolina Controlled Substance Reporting System has Launched Clinical Alerts

On December 9th, the North Carolina Controlled Substance Reporting System launched Clinical Alerts to notify prescribers when a patient is at high risk for an overdose. Prescribers will receive alerts through the AWARxE dashboard, patient reports, and email notifications. These alerts aim to identify at-risk patients and prompt supportive conversations. For more information about the NC CSRS please visit NC Controlled Substances Reporting System | NCDHHS. If you need assistance with the NC CSRS please visit the PMP AWARxE Support Center.  

MIPS Update Reminder for Reporting

The Quality Payment Program has given many providers exceptions for 2024 but not everyone. If you have not been granted an exception for 2024 MIPS reporting, now is the time to connect with your South Piedmont AHEC Coach for your next steps. Reporting for MIPS will close on March 31st, 2025. You will need to be able to sign in through your HARP account. 

Double Trouble: Diabetes & Falls from Northwest AHEC

People with diabetes are at higher risk for falls. Etiologies include vision changes from retinopathy, damage to both peripheral and central nerves, side effects from medicines, and co-morbidities like osteoarthritis. 

Through use of a case study illustrating a familiar primary care patient encounter, learners will apply new knowledge, so they can anticipate and intervene appropriately in their work. An optional module on conducting the Diabetic Foot Exam is included.

This is a new self-paced and interactive training course developed by Northwest AHEC’s Leslie McDowell. It is available at no cost for your practices. 

Register online for Double Trouble: Diabetes & Falls.

End of Year Practice Checklist: Start 2025 Right!

Are you ready for the New Year? It is here! NC AHEC has developed an End of Year Checklist to support practices closing out 2024 and starting 2025 on the right foot. The checklist has been previously shared on the South Piedmont AHEC listserv but is also available here. If you’ve started, GREAT! If you would like help finishing it or reviewing your progress, contact your South Piedmont AHEC coach. The checklist dives into administrative, personnel and financial aspects of the practice. 

South Piedmont AHEC Class Spotlight: Results Based Accountability, Redefining Success and Measuring Impact

Results-Based Accountability™ (RBA) is a disciplined way of thinking and acting to improve complex social problems – sometimes referred to as wicked problems – and create measurable change in people’s lives, communities, and organizations. RBA teaches us to care more about going in the right direction rather than setting unrealistic goals. We embrace “Turn the Curve Thinking” to make decisions about what to do and see if what we do is working.

The NC AHEC RBA course is an introductory, highly interactive course. To learn more and register, visit South Piedmont AHEC.

South Piedmont AHEC Practice Support – Helping you meet the challenges!

In this time of great transition in health care practices need to position themselves for new payment models, incentive programs, and other health care reforms while refocusing on patient-centered care. South Piedmont AHEC is currently able to provide these direct, individualized services at no cost.

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