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Provider Digest | Volume 124

Date: 05/22/24

New ECHO Course: Deflection Implementation and Leadership

The Oregon ECHO Network is offering a virtual, interactive program to learn and share best practices for deflection implementation.

Oregon’s HB 4002, signed April 1, encourages law enforcement to engage in deflection, in coordination with a new system of local deflection programs. A $20MM grant program was established within the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to support the establishment of new deflection programs.

The goals of this ECHO course are to:

  • Discuss deflection best practices with a multidisciplinary expert faculty team and your peers
  • Discuss multiple models of deflection and contextualize these to Oregon counties
  • Learn to apply a healthcare approach to substance use disorders and treatment
  • Share good ideas across county boundaries
  • Gain access to a deflection resources library

This 10-session course takes place on Fridays, from 1-2 p.m. It began on April 26 and runs through August 23. You can access recordings of previous classes on the ECHO website and sign up for future sessions.

For more information, download the Deflection Implementation and Leadership flyer (PDF) or visit the ECHO website.
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Lane County Public Health Supports PeaceHealth Rides Bike Share System 

How can health systems and community-based organizations work together to improve population health – and the health of patients?

Lane County Public Health (LCPH) is sure the clinical community is aware of the many benefits of physical activity. Many of you have probably seen, and perhaps tried, the PeaceHealth Rides Bike Share system available in Eugene and Springfield. But did you know that bike share memberships are free for folks enrolled in certain programs? Consider sharing information about PeaceHealth Rides with your patients:

  • Individuals 16 or older enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), SNAP, TANF, WIC or who live in Affordable Housing can contact access@cascadiamobility.org about free memberships.
  • Support patient/client access to transportation needs, health, and wellness by connecting them to PeaceHealth Rides free bike share membership program.
  • If you are in the Eugene/Springfield area, contact Cascadia Mobility at access@cascadiamobility.org for flyers and other material to promote these programs.

Active transportation programs and bike share systems have positive effects on community and individual health. A recent study calculated that through positive impacts on physical activity, air pollution, and traffic incidents, current bike share systems in the U.S. have resulted in:

  • 4.7 fewer premature deaths each year
  • 737 additional Disability Adjusted Life Years
  • $36 million in health economic impacts

The average cost of car ownership in the US is around $12,000 per year per vehicle, making a bike share membership (even at $15/month) a much more accessible way to get around.

Cascadia Mobility is an independent Oregon public benefit 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Eugene that operates equitable shared and active transportation programs in the Pacific Northwest. Their mission is improving access to healthy, shared modes and active transportation. Cascadia Mobility partners with PeaceHealth, the City of Eugene, University of Oregon, and Lane Transit District to operate the PeaceHealth Rides Bike Share system. A partnership with Oregon Health Authority makes bike share memberships available at no cost to people enrolled in programs such as OHP. Lane County Public Health appreciates these partners for investing in infrastructure that improves the health of the entire community.

For more information, please contact Teresa Roark, MPH, LCPH Community Health Analyst.   
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2024 Social Needs Screening Inventory Survey for Trillium Medicaid Providers

This year Trillium is launching this Social Needs Screening Inventory Survey to gather responses necessary to pass the new Social Needs Screening and Referral CCO incentive metric. The survey will be used to conduct an environmental scan to help us identify how members are being seen, the capacity of health-related social needs referrals, resources available, and the gaps that must be addressed. 

Organizations who complete this survey by May 31st may be eligible to earn a bonus which is outlined within Trillium's 2024 CCO Quality Pool Bonus Funds Program.

Note: If you would like to gather the information before taking the online survey, please view the Social Needs Screening Inventory Survey in PDF format.

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Lane County Public Health Alert: Increased Testing Needed for Pertussis/Whooping Cough

Lane County Public Health (LCPH) has observed a concerning surge in pertussis cases throughout the county, with over 20 confirmed cases currently under investigation across various age groups, including infants. Several schools have reported cases and outbreaks, prompting proactive measures such as contact tracing and school exclusion of unimmunized students.

In light of these developments, LCPH urgently advises clinicians and clinical support staff to thoroughly review immunization protocols and infection control measures for managing this highly contagious bacterium. It is imperative to promptly test individuals exhibiting symptoms indicative of pertussis, particularly those with a history of exposure or presenting with severe coughing.

Please review LCPH guidance and testing recommendations (PDF). 

Reporting: Laboratory confirmed and presumptive cases must be reported to Lane County Public Health within one working day to ensure rapid case isolation and contact investigation. (A presumptive case is a patient with a clinical syndrome consistent with pertussis for at least 14 days, or anyone with a cough illness of any duration and linked to a lab confirmed case.)

Please call Lane County Public at 541-682-4041 to report a case. This number is operational 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

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Our Journey: Lane County Intertribal Quarterly Cultural Collective Event 

"Our Journey" is an intertribal quarterly cultural collective event with the goal to create a cross-cultural space for both tribal and non-tribal peoples to learn, grow, share, and celebrate work that is being done in Lane County with an emphasis on health and improvement for the Federally Recognized Tribes and American Indian and Alaskan Native residents.

This family-friendly event is hosted by Buffy Hurtado, enrolled member and citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and PacificSource Tribal Liaison.

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