What's New | March 02, 2011

Refugee Health

Refugees flee their homelands for many reasons, including violent conflicts, political or religious persecution, and famine. Refugees who settle in the United States often have disproportionate physical and/or mental health problems due to past traumatic experiences, refugee camp conditions, lack of access to health care, and economic hardships.

The featured Innovations describe three programs that enable refugees to receive health care and social and rehabilitative services that are culturally competent.

The featured QualityTools describe three toolkits that providers can use to educate refugees about lead poisoning prevention in children, nutrition, and healthy living.

Featured Innovations:

• Identification and Support of Refugees With Disabilities Enhances Access to Culturally Competent Rehabilitation and Social Services

• Physician–Nurse House Calls Reduce Barriers to Health Care and Social Services for New Refugees

• Trauma Therapy and Caregiver Support Improves Coping Skills and Academic Performance of West African Refugee Children

Featured QualityTools:

• Lead Poisoning Prevention in Newly Arrived Refugee Children: Tool Kit
Developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program; Office of Refugee Resettlement

• Refugee Nutrition Outreach Toolkit
Developed by U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Healthy Living Toolkit
Developed by U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

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Also in This Issue:

Innovations >

• Fall Prevention Toolkit Facilitates Customized Risk Assessment and Prevention Strategies, Reducing Inpatient Falls

• Immediate Post-Event Debriefing Improves Multiple Aspects of Response to Codes and Increases Staff Satisfaction

• Ongoing Monitoring, Prompt Feedback, and Reminders Improve Hand Hygiene in a Busy, Urban Emergency Department

• Transitional Care Program With Advance Care Planning for Frail Elders Reduces Emergency Department Visits and Readmissions

QualityTools >

• Fall TIPS (Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety)
Developed by Partners HealthCare System

• Improving Patient Safety in Hospitals: A Resource List for Users of the AHRQ Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture
Developed by Westat

• Model Public Report Elements: A Sampler
Developed by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

• Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Sample Forms
Developed by Center for Ethics in Health Care, Oregon Health & Science University

Articles >

• Pushing for Innovation to Achieve Healthy Weight for All