To help public health professionals respond to the problem of limited health literacy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have launched a free “Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals Online Training” program. The purpose of this training is to educate public health professionals about limited health literacy and their role in addressing it in a public health context.

This is a web-based course and can be accessed 24/7 by any computer with Internet access. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. Trainees can earn a variety of continuing education credits. You can access the training program from: http://www2a.cdc.gov/TCEOnline/registration/detailpage.asp?res_id=2074.

For a link to CDC’s and other HHS’ agencies’ health literacy sites, check out AHRQ’s Health LIteracy and Cultural Competence Resource Links at: http://www.ahrq.gov/browse/hlitres.htm [Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)]

The Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce has released a new topic page on http://PHPartners.org. PHPartners is a collaboration of U.S. government agencies, public health organizations, and health science libraries. The mission of PHPartners is to help the public health workforce find and use information effectively to improve and protect the public’s health.

The How to Access Journal Articles topic page is now available at http://phpartners.org/howtoaccess.html. The page includes information on how to access free full text journal articles, strategies to obtain journal articles through professional organizations and libraries, and paying for full-text journal articles.

PHPartners.org welcomes suggestions of public health resources to post on the site. Links can be suggested at http://phpartners.org/suggestlink.html.

To keep up-to-date with public health news and new content posted to PHPartners.org, you can subscribe to the PHPartners RSS feed at http://phpartners.org/rss_phpartners.xml, or to the weekly email announcement list at https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=phpartners_link&A=1.

The National Institutes of Health announced on March 18, 2010 that it is creating a public database that researchers, consumers, health care providers, and others can search for information submitted voluntarily by genetic test providers. The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) aims to enhance access to information about the availability, validity, and usefulness of genetic tests.

http://lists.aamc.org/t/56147/190817/4322/0/

A Message from Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology

March 2, 2010

Today the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) outlining the proposed approach for establishing a certification program to test and certify electronic health records (EHRs). The HITECH Act mandates the development of a certification program which will give purchasers and users of EHR technology assurances that the technology and products have the necessary functionality and security to help meet meaningful use criteria. While we are making significant strides toward modernizing our health care system, these efforts will only succeed if providers and patients are confident that their health information systems are safe and functional.

The proposed rule incorporates two phases of development for the certification program to ensure that eligible professionals and eligible hospitals are able to adopt and implement Certified EHR Technology in time to qualify for meaningful use incentive payments. The rulemaking process will take time, so this phased approach provides a bridge  to detailed guidelines to support an ongoing program of testing and certification of health IT.

The first proposed program creates a temporary certification process under which the National Coordinator would authorize organizations to assume many of the responsibilities that will eventually be fulfilled under the permanent certification program. For the permanent certification program, the rule proposes transitioning much of the responsibility for testing and certification to organizations in the private sector.

Publication of the proposed rule on the Establishment of Certification Programs for Health Information Technology is an important first step in bringing structure and cohesion to the evaluation of EHRs, EHR modules, and potentially other types of health IT.  The programs will help support end users of certified products, and ultimately serve the interests of each patient by ensuring that their information is securely managed and available where and when it is needed.

Your input is essential to bringing this important process to fruition.  We encourage your participation in the open public comment period.

Additional information on both of these programs and how you can comment can be found through the HHS news release issued today and at the http://HealthIT.HHS.Gov website.

The vision of the HITECH Act is unfolding rapidly, and all of us at ONC look forward to continuing to work with you to achieve the meaningful use of EHRs.

Please save the date and join us for the next National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern/Atlantic (NN/LM SE/A) Region’s BeyondtheSEA Web Conference.

Presentation: Healing Begins with Knowledge: The Increasing Importance of Health Care Literacy in the Medical Team

Date: March 17^th, 2010

Time: Noon to 1:00 pm (EST)

Guest Speakers: Dr. Erin Dunbar, Neurosurgeon

Bio: Dr. Dunbar joined the faculty of the University of Florida in the Department of Neurosurgery in 2007 as Assistant Professor, and is honored to serve as Co-Director of the Preston A. Wells, Jr., Center for Brain Tumor Therapy and Neuro-Oncology Program, Director of Neuro-Oncology clinical-research, its database and clinical trials office, administrator of the medical Neuro-Oncology service, and member of the state legislature-mandated Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research.

Dr. Dunbar is an active member the academic societies involved in the care of primary and metastatic brain and spinal tumors, including the Society of Neuro-Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncologists, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. She is involved in numerous translational and clinical research initiatives at both UF and in collaborations with other institutions, including Johns Hopkins. Through both the Preston A. Wells, Jr., Center for Brain Tumor Therapy and the Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Dunbar is committed to providing patients with the highest level of comprehensive and compassionate care.

As we face the ever increasing need to reduce health disparities in the US and the world, health literacy education for patients and health professionals is paramount. Lead by Dr. Dunbar, the University of Florida launched health care literacy initiatives hoping to improve outcomes of patient care – Many of these initiatives directly involve librarians. Dr. Dunbar presented on this topic at the April 2009 Florida Health Sciences Library Association (FHSLA) meeting and will be providing an updated version for Beyond the SEA including the progress of the University of Florida health care initiatives outlined in the original presentation. The original presentation can be found on the FHSLA site under “Presentations”:   http://www.fhsla.org/annual-meetings/2009/main.htm (but we will be using an updated PPT for our webinar).

How to get connected:

What do you need to join these conferences?

• A computer (with Flash installed)
• A telephone

How do I connect?
Go to this URL: http://webmeeting.nih.gov/beyondthesea
Enter as a Guest
Sign in with your first and last name
Follow the instructions in the meeting room to have Adobe Connect call your phone or call 1-800-605-5167 and enter the participant code 227471 when prompted.

December 1, 2009, has been designated World AIDS Day, in order to bring attention to  the increasing prevalence of HIV and AIDS around the world. Organizations around the world will be joining together to promote awareness and education of HIV/AIDS through a variety of events.

For information from the National Library of Medicine, see http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/hiv.html with information on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and research

For more information on HIV/AIDS and World AIDS Day, please visit: http://www.aids.gov or http://www.worldaidsday.org . These sites contain personal stories, links to awareness and promotional materials, and a wealth of information on HIV/AIDS including print as well as audio and video podcast formats.

Further federal resources on the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief are posted at http://www.pepfar.gov/.

New Topic Pages on PHPartners.org:

Dental Public Health is available at http://phpartners.org/dentalhealth.html.

Public Health Genomics is available at http://phpartners.org/public_health_genomics.html.

Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce, PHPartners.org, is a collaboration of U.S. government agencies, public health organizations, and health sciences libraries. The mission of PHPartners is to help the public health workforce find and use information effectively to improve and protect the public’s health.

PHPartners.org welcomes suggestions of new links to post. Please suggest links at http://phpartners.org/suggestlink.html.

To keep up-to-date with public health news and online information resources, you can subscribe to the PHPartners RSS feed at http://phpartners.org/rss_phpartners.xml, or to the weekly email announcement list at https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=phpartners_link&A=1.

by Susan Brune Lorenzo, MLS, Maternal and Child Health Library, National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health at Georgetown University

The Maternal and Child Health Library released a new edition of the knowledge path, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. The knowledge path points to resources that analyze data, describe effective programs, and report on policy and research aimed at developing systems of care for children and youth with special health care needs that are family-centered, community-based, coordinated, and culturally competent. Separate sections address specific aspects of care and development, such as early intervention and special education, financing services, rehabilitation, screening, and transition. The knowledge path is designed for health professionals, program administrators, policymakers, educators, researchers, and families. The knowledge path is available at http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_CSHCN.html. Knowledge paths on other maternal and child health (MCH) topics are available at http://mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/index.html.

Comments are welcomed.

by Beth M Wescott, Network Access Coordinator, NN/LM SE/A

Let’s look at current, targeted, reliable MedlinePlus links to sites on the topic “Talk about Prescriptions.”

• Medicines health topic has new videos and tutorials.   See:
  • Tutorials
    • Taking Medicines  (National Institute of General Medicine Sciences) at http://nihseniorhealth.gov/takingmedicines/toc.html
  • Videos
    • Avoiding Drug Interactions (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) at http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm182745.htm
    • Avoiding Medication Mistakes (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) at http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm182942.htm
• Drug Safety health topic is key at all three recognized health organizations.   See:
  • U.S.Food and Drug Administration: Drugs at  http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/default.htm
  • The Institute for Safe Medication Practices at http://www.ismp.org/
  • SafeMedication.com (a service of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) at http://www.safemedication.com/

Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Health Information Technology (HRSA)

Health IT for Children Toolbox

The new Health IT for Children Toolbox is accessible through HRSA’s website at: http://www.hrsa.gov/healthit/

Developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Office of Health Information Technology, the Health IT for Children Toolbox is a resource meant to serve those within the children’s health community who seek to integrate information technology into promoting pediatric health and well-being.  It is a compilation of health IT information targeted at children’s health care needs, ranging from pediatric electronic medical records to enrollment in children’s health insurance coverage. This resource is designed for a diverse set of stakeholders, including State and Federal policy makers, providers, insurers, teachers and families and other caregivers. A variety of individuals and organizations, including the Nemours Health and Prevention Services (NHPS), the California HealthCare Foundation, The California Endowment and others have provided financial support to the HRSA toolbox for health IT for children. To access the Health IT for Children Toolbox please visit: http://www.hrsa.gov/healthit/.

Rural Health IT Adoption Toolbox

The Rural Health IT Adoption Toolbox is a resource created to address the needs of rural providers in the planning and implementation of health information technology. Resources compiled for this toolbox include information from both public and private sector entities, including government agencies, academic institutions, and research organizations. This toolbox is designed for rural health providers, but is intended to inform State and Federal policy makers, insurers, and other interested stakeholders regarding the special considerations for health IT adoption in rural settings. You can access the Rural Health IT Adoption Toolbox at: http://www.hrsa.gov/healthit/

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Emory University School of Medicine

Treatment algorithm for flu-like illness

CDC issues treatment algorithm for flu-like illness<http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinicians/pdf/adultalgorithm.pdf>

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Emory University School of Medicine have developed a treatment algorithm to guide healthcare professionals and their surrogates on when and how quickly to steer adult flu patients to care. The algorithm, on the CDC’s flu Web site, progressively assesses patients by age, vital signs, symptoms of severe disease, presence of underlying conditions, and membership in a high-risk group.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Disaster Alternate Care Facilities Selection Tool

“Disaster Alternate Care Facilities Selection Tool” is an interactive worksheet that assists users in selecting sites and identifying what they need to prepare these sites for use. It evaluates the characteristics of several potential facilities and calculates the results into weighted scores, which planners can use to select appropriate sites for care and plan for operations during a disaster.

“Disaster Alternate Care Facility Patient Selection Tool” is a decision support tool that matches a hospitalized patient’s clinical needs with the capabilities of an alternate care facility. This information may help clinicians determine which patients might be eligible for discharge or transfer to an alternate care facility to increase a hospital’s capacity for incoming patients.

Available on AHRQ’s Web site at http://www.ahrq.gov/prep/acfselection/.