By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
Today is National Resolution Planning Day.
We all know the best way to achieve our goals is to make a plan. The new year offers the perfect time for a fresh start or renewed goals. But each year, only about 10% of people are successful at keeping their new year’s resolutions.
So how can you make sure your 2023 goals stick?
Here are a few tips:
by Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
Worldwide, 55 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects a person’s memory, thinking and behavior. While most of us experience some memory hiccups as we get older, dementia and Alzheimer’s are not a normal part of aging. While most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are age 65 and older, symptoms can affect younger people, too.
Alzheimer’s is called a progressive disease, meaning it worsens … Read the rest
What’s the Difference Between a Registered Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner?
By: Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
November 15, 2022
The nursing profession focuses on patient observation and care. Often known as the backbone of any hospital, clinic or other health care facility, nurses provide vital care and support to patients. Health systems employ many nursing professions and specialties. In honor of National Nurse Practitioner Week, let’s look at nurse practitioners (NPs) versus registered nurses (RNs).… Read the rest
Decisions, Decisions: Is Long-Term Care Right for Me?
By: Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
November 7, 2022
Planning for the future is essential to healthy aging. One key part of planning is finding a safe home where you can get the care or services you need. According to the National Institute of Aging, long-term care provides multiple services designed to meet a person’s health or personal needs during a short or long period of time.
No … Read the rest
Safe and Sound: Patient Safety in Health Care
By: Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
October 22, 2022
Within the complex systems of health care, patient safety is a primary concern. During National Health Care Quality Week this week, we are focusing on how health care systems can reduce risks and errors and how all of us can help improve patient safety. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), patient safety requires clear policies, leadership support, skilled health … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
One in every eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States, accounting for one in every three new cancers diagnosed in women each year. Breast cancer diagnoses are on the rise. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates 287,850 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
July 22, 2022
We have all heard the common advice for good health: Eat a balanced diet. Exercise three times a week. Get at least seven hours of sleep a night. Avoid eating too much sugar and always remember to wear sunscreen. But how often have you heard perhaps the most important advice of all? Go out with your friends on a Friday night!
When talking about maintaining good physical and … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
May 5, 2022
Women play important roles in each of our lives. They are teachers, mothers, doctors, writers, administrators, organizers, helpers, caregivers and so much more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “two out of every three caregivers in the United States are women, meaning they provide daily or regular support to children, adults or people with chronic illnesses or disabilities.” Unfortunately, however, women who are … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
April 12, 2022
The term “health disparity” is used more and more these days, but what does it mean?
When a population’s race or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, income or even where they live contributes to higher rates of a disease, health condition or their inability to access needed health care services, that group of people is experiencing a health disparity.
Talking about health disparities goes hand-in-hand with talking about … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
February 9, 2022
The Super Bowl is an event known for friends, football and, of course, food—but the festivities are not known for being healthy. It’s easy to see that bowl of chips and the seven-layer dip and think, I’ll just have a few. And don’t get us started on the desserts! Those brownies the neighbor made are to die for! Seem familiar? But indulging in the fat, salt and … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
January 27, 2022
Eating healthy isn’t always easy, especially when on the go, living with picky eaters or living on a budget. But it is possible—with a little research and pre-planning.
Eating healthier can lead to a longer, healthier life for you and your family and reduce your risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and more.
Creating new habits and identifying problem foods in your current diet … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
December 2, 2021
When people struggle to feel the holiday cheer, that struggle often stems from the pressure and stress the holiday season can bring. If you are not feeling all that cheerful, here are three tips to better manage holiday stress and focus more on the joy and festivities of the season.
1. Be realistic about family expectations and your budget.
If we … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
October 19, 2021
October is American Pharmacists Month, and October 17-23 is National Pharmacy Week. This is a great opportunity to thank our pharmacists for the important role they play in our health and our care. Pharmacists are a readily available resource who can answer questions about medications, vaccinations and much more.
Mountain-Pacific Quality Health sat down with one of our own pharmacists, … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Pacific Quality Health
July 21, 2021
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a new vaccine for adults. PREVNAR 20™ (Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugate Vaccine) helps prevent invasive disease and pneumonia caused by the 20 Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) serotypes, or subgroups, in the vaccine and is recommended for adults age 18 years and older. Pneumococcal disease can include pneumonia, meningitis and other infections caused … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Pacific Quality Health
July 8, 2021
Though you use our eyes every day, how much do you know about keeping your eyes healthy and your vision clear? Here are some tips to help you see your best.
1. Routinely see an eye doctor.
Even if you feel like you can see just fine, you could have eye problems and not know it. Many eye diseases do not … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
Updated May 12, 2023
Memorial Day is a day to honor those in the military who died while serving their country. Many people observe the holiday by spending time with family and friends, watching a parade or visiting a cemetery. For many, the holiday also marks the unofficial start of summer. Along with the sunny weather and outdoor fun comes more exposure to ultraviolet … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Pacific Quality Health
May 20, 2021
In this blog, we learned about what pneumococcal disease is and how it spreads. Now, we will learn how we can help prevent the disease.
Which vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease in adults?
There are two vaccines used in the United States to help prevent pneumococcal disease: PCV13 and PPSV23. In addition, getting an … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
May 18, 2021
High blood pressure, or (hypertension), affects 75 million Americans. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to dangerous complications, including heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. The good news is high blood pressure is treatable and can be managed with a visit to your doctor and some lifestyle changes.
Here are six tips to help manage your blood pressure:
1. Get active!… Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
May 14, 2021
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two out of every three caregivers in this country are women. Being a caregiver means providing regular care to children, adults or people who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. While being a caregiver is often fulfilling and rewarding, it can also take a physical and mental toll, creating increased … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Pacific Quality Health
May 6, 2021
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pneumococcal pneumonia causes 150,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States. In 2018 alone, pneumococcal meningitis and bacteremia killed nearly 3,500 people. While pneumococcal disease in adults often ranges from mild to serious, the disease can be deadly. However, the disease is preventable. … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
April 22, 2021
One in three American adults is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a serious disease that can lead to complications like kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, blindness and even amputations. Type 2 diabetes prevention and management means knowing what affects the sugar levels in your blood. In addition to regular, mild exercise, a healthy diet is a big part of healthy … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
March 19, 2021
Like many other businesses, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health has learned a lot from the COVID-19 outbreak. As more and more vaccines are distributed and there seems to be a long-awaited light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, we are being thoughtful about how to continue to apply our many lessons learned.… Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
March 12, 2021
Join us in welcoming three new board members! Each of our new directors has a strong desire to improve the patient’s health care experience and develop solutions to provide better health outcomes for their communities.
The board is composed of directors from Alaska, Hawaii, Montana and Wyoming. Board membership represents academia, business, consumer representatives, health information, law, medicine, payors and rural … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Pacific Quality Health
June 24, 2020
Communities across the country are emerging from COVID-19 stay-at-home orders at different rates, leaving many concerned about keeping older residents and other high-risk community members safe.
June is National Safety Month, an annual observance that spotlights safety in the workplace. This year, on-the-job safety is especially focused on good health. While feeling as safe as possible at work is … Read the rest
How to Create Meaningful Interactions with a Person Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s DiseaseBy Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
June 16, 2020
Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain in a way that creates memory loss, difficulty thinking and changes to a person’s behavior. This disease becomes a greater risk in people over the age of 65 and affects more than five million Americans. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and according to the Alzheimer’s Association,
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
June 10, 2020
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition caused by experiencing or seeing a traumatic event. While it is natural to be upset or have trouble sleeping, most people start to feel better after a few weeks or a month or two. People who are still suffering symptoms after … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
May 19, 2020
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called a silent killer, because you can have high blood pressure and not know it. Deaths related to high blood pressure continue to rise in the United States, and worldwide, high blood pressure affects nearly one in every three adults. For Blood Pressure Education Month this month, let’s learn some of the blood pressure … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
May 10, 2020
Every year, Mother’s Day marks the start of National Women’s Health Week. Led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health (OWH), the annual observance is a reminder for women to make good health a priority. This year for National Women’s Health Week, OWH focuses on how to stay healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Tony King, PharmD
Director of Pharmacy Programs, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
May 1, 2020
A lot has changed in the pharmacy world in the past few years, but nothing has spurred as much change as the past few weeks. However, one of the most respected and accessible health care professionals continues to be available to assist you in your times of need.… Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
April 29, 2020
Our health care systems are flooded with people who have the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or are experiencing symptoms and need to get tested. So what should you do if you need to get in to see a doctor for non-COVID-19 reasons? Or what if you or a loved one has a health emergency amid the outbreak?… Read the rest
Watch Out for Scams during the COVID-19 PandemicBy Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
April 24, 2020
As most of the world takes protective measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), an ugly side of humanity is emerging to take advantage of our vulnerabilities. Scammers are developing new and sophisticated attempts to steal personally identifiable information (PII), extract bank account and routing numbers, hack into virtual conference calls and deploy destructive viruses into computers.… Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
April 22, 2020
For some of us, uncertainty, isolation and fear are the toughest part of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The disease has caused waves of panic, as people rush to stores to stock up on supplies, clearing shelves and bringing about nationwide shortages of disinfecting wipes, toilet paper and other household essentials.
It’s not surprising a pandemic makes people feel helpless … Read the rest
There are new dates for Medicare and some of the Medicaid state SLR attestation systems.
Following are the attestation deadlines for the 2016 reporting year for both the Medicare and Medicaid (states in our region) EHR Incentive Programs.
Medicare Program Attestation Deadline
Medicaid Program Attestation Deadline
