Topic:

Update on AG Committees

Discussion:

Advanced Directives Committee

Wendy updated the group on the activities of this committee.  Currently a draft legislation is being prepared to go before the legislature.  Surrogacy and DNR issues were pulled from this initial document and will be addressed as a separate issue.

The issue of providers needing to be in the forefront of the surrogacy issue and it’s necessity was discussed.   

How do we address some of the issues that surround this particular topic?

Pain Committee

This Committee met several times in October and is nearing agreement on wording for a Pain Policy.  Diana will be talking with BISHCA and suggesting that they look to Blue Shield and Blue Cross as a model.  There continues to be concern that not all stakeholders have been part of the planning process.  Diana pointed out that we are really creating a broad societal change and that this will therefore take time.

Madeleine discussed an upcoming initiative by the VMS to gather physician providers to look at a credentialing process (like yearly fire safety or CPR classes) focusing on pain management.  Possible test sites are Bennington, Rutland, and FAHC.

Wendy also mentioned a fax that had been brought to her attention – sent by RX Medical Marketing, Inc.  She was looking for more information regarding this company and what they are offering.

Action:

Topic:

Update on Opportunity Award – Reports from sub-committees:

Survey Subcommittee: Partnership Development Subcommittee:

Grant Activities Subcommittee:

Discussion:

Survey Subcommittee:

Zail and Sharon updated re:

IVR equipment is in; subcommittee has met with Rich re:  death certificate data; survey will include all naturally occurring deaths during the months of August and September in 2004 which is an expansion of the original project; Sharon and Jessa are working on the IRB;  letter requesting data along with copies of the IRB will be sent to Rich; invitation to survey participants will be sent out after the first of the year so as to be respectful of the holiday season.

Partnership Development Subcommittee:

Awaiting results of the upcoming survey.

Grant Activities Subcommittees:

Zail was able to speak with Ira Byock and he suggested that RWJ is pretty well closed down to grants at this point. 

Action:

Survey Subcommittee:

Sharon and Jessa:  IRB□

Zail:  Letter to Rich□

Partners for funding:

Patty to talk with Jill Olson of VAHHS and have her contact Zail □

Marilyn will contact rep from Purdue □

Letha will contact rep from Janssen □

Vermont Pain Initiative

Judith updated the group on the Pain Initiative.  The current focus is on public awareness with a focus on the media.  Monthly media events are scheduled. 

The group is also looking to train nurses and social workers to give talks about Power Over Pain, along with distributing the curriculum to hospitals around the state.

The group is also very interested in talking to patients who have been mistreated by the current system of pain management and who are interested in telling their stories.  Could we use the website to ask for input?    

Patty:  Talk with Jill Olson re:  possibility of Judith presenting at the next QIF meeting. □

Follow-up with Helen re:  using the VPQHC website to request pt stories□

Judith:  Send out Power Over Pain Presentation□

“Advanced Directives and The Changing Landscape of Medical Decisions”

Diana updated the group re: progress with the Bud Hammes conference.  John Campbell has been very busy organizing the event which is scheduled for February.

Diana is currently working on a grant application to NHPCO for the Bud Hammes Conference.

Could we get Governor Douglass to sign an Advanced Directive, perhaps meet with Zail and John prior to signing, the signing and the specifics of the directive would be private but his support of the process and his ability to talk about the process would be public? Who else might be helpful in this process – Madeleine Kunin, Barbara Snelling?

Bud Hammes Conference is scheduled for 8-3 at the Capital Plaza on February 7, 2005.

Patty:  Follow-up with Helen re:  VPQHC’s co-sponsorship of this event□.

Scheduling of ExCEL Steering Committee meeting schedule

The committee felt strongly that ExCEL is moving in the right direction and that the regular meetings and updates are helpful, however it was decided that bi-monthly meetings would work well ; continuation of the Co-chair Conference Calls; e-mail updates on the months that the group does not meet.

See attached sheet – 2005 ExCEL Meeting Schedule