April 22-26: Regardless of your role in healthcare, everyone says they’re here for one thing: to serve the patient. Well, this week is your chance to raise your game. It’s Patient Experience Week! Promoted by the Beryl Institute, “PX Week provides a focused time for organizations to celebrate accomplishments, re-energize efforts and honor the people who impact patient experience every day. From nurses and physicians, to support staff and executive professionals, to patients, families and communities served, the institute hopes to bring together healthcare organizations across the globe to observe PX Week.”
April 24: The backlash against the anti-vax movement continues to grow in statehouses. California’s Senate Health Committee takes up SB 276, which would require the State Department of Public Health to standardize the medical exemption request form. Currently, school officials can decide for themselves if they’ll accept an exemption written by a doctor. Senators in Washington state last week passed a measure—by a vote of 25-22—that would eliminate personal or philosophical exemptions. And lawmakers in New York are advancing legislation to end nonmedical exemptions.
April 25: CMS Administrator Seema Verma delivers a keynote address to the National Association of ACOs during the group’s spring meeting in Baltimore. Modern Healthcare will be on hand to report any breaking news.
April 27: Roughly 6 million Americans misuse controlled prescription drugs, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. During National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Drug Enforcement Administration works with community organizations to host nearly 6,000 sites to collect unused drugs. It’s the 17th drug take-back event. During the past 16 events—it’s held twice a year—the DEA and its partners have collected nearly 11 million pounds of pills.
