The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Baltimore, MD (May 16, 2012)The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has announced the appointment of Craig Stofko as the Health Officer for Somerset County Health Department effective today. He has served as Interim Health Officer since August 2011.

" "We are delighted that Craig accepted the position as leader of the Somerset County Health Department," said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, DHMH Secretary. "We look forward to having him join Maryland's public health leadership team."

"Mr. Stofko began his state service in 2001 as Director of Behavioral Health for the county health department. During his tenure, he developed and implemented several programs including the Somerset County Co-Occurring Initiative; a treatment program geared for Spanish speaking individuals and a highly rated behavioral health program for the state.

"He has a proven track record in obtaining public health funds. Over the past 11 years, he secured 25 million dollars in grant funding. As part of a grant writing team, he currently has $2 million dollars pending approval.

" "Mr. Stofko has been an exceptionally effective leader while acting as the Interim County Health Officer, said Douglas Taylor, Somerset County Administrator. "His extensive knowledge of health related issues and programs, coupled with his deep commitment to Somerset County, will make him a valuable asset to our county citizens."

"Mr Stofko attended Salisbury University where he earned a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Education.

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Baltimore, MD (May 15, 2012) -The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today released for public comment a draft standard for birthing hospitals to address non-medically indicated elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks gestation. The incorporation of the new standard into the Maryland Perinatal System Standards will allow the Department to continue to monitor such deliveries through hospital site visits by the Morbidity, Mortality and Quality Review Committee and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems. It will also require all hospitals to develop policies to address these non-medically indicated deliveries.

"Reducing infant mortality is one of Governor O'Malley's 15 strategic policy goals. This effort will help us continue our success in improving birth outcomes statewide," said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Secretary of DHMH.

Deliveries prior to 39 weeks without medical indication contribute significantly to neonatal morbidity, infant mortality, and hospital costs. As part of comprehensive efforts to improve birth outcomes in Maryland, DHMH has strongly supported the Maryland Patient Safety Center and its Perinatal Learning Network in the goal of eliminating non-medically indicated deliveries prior to 39 weeks gestation.

"The Maryland Patient Safety Center is proud to be in the vanguard of this effort to reduce elective deliveries at less than 39 weeks and appreciate the support of DHMH in our efforts," said Robert H. Imhoff III, President & CEO of the Maryland Patient Safety Center. "Working with DHMH, our member hospitals and the dedicated doctors and nurses in our learning network, we are making significant inroads toward improving the care of mothers and infants in the State of Maryland. Our work in this area continues and we look forward to even greater improvement."

Through this initiative, the majority of birthing hospitals in Maryland have committed to eliminating these unnecessary and medically risky early deliveries through the adoption of strong policies and compliance monitoring plans. These efforts have resulted in a 93 percent reduction in elective induction of labor prior to 39 weeks and an 83 percent drop in early elective cesarean sections since January 2009 among participating hospitals.

"The Department is committed to working with Maryland's birthing hospitals to assure that all infants are delivered safely and without unnecessary risk, and we congratulate those hospitals that have taken great strides toward eliminating unnecessary early elective deliveries," said Frances B. Phillips, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services.

The Maryland Perinatal System Standards were originally developed in 1995-1998 by a DHMH advisory committee as a set of voluntary standards for Maryland hospitals providing obstetrical and neonatal services. The standards were updated several times since, most recently in 2008.

A draft standard is posted at http://fha.dhmh.maryland.gov/mch/SitePages/Perinatal_public_comments.aspx . An opportunity for public comment is available for 30 days. You can also link to the draft standard by clicking on "Comment Period on Perinatal Standards " under 'Hot Topics' at www.dhmh.maryland.gov . The final standard will become effective on July 1, 2012.

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Recognition Builds on Maryland's Innovative Efforts to Encourage High Quality, Coordinated Care

Baltimore, MD (April6, 2012) -Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown announced today that all 52 Maryland Multipayer Patient Centered Medical Home (MMPP) practices have achieved the prestigious Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition from the NCQA, the most prominent health accreditation and recognition organization in the nation. The Maryland Patient Centered Medical Home Program, first championed by Lt. Governor Brown during the 2010 legislative session, is designed to improve patient health and elevate the role of the primary care provider in our health system. NCQA recognition will allow Maryland PCMH practices to continue providing high quality, coordinated care and will provide access to additional funding and incentives.

To achieve NCQA recognition, practices must demonstrate the ability to successfully provide six elements of care, including: access during expanded office hours, use of data for population management, care management, support of a self care process, tracking of referrals and follow up, and implementation of continuous quality improvement. Maryland's 338 newly-recognized primary care clinicians are the majority of the 577 clinicians NCQA has recognized at 98 primary care practice sites under the new, more stringent, PCMH standards for 2011.

"National recognition of Maryland's Patient Centered Medical Home practices again positions the State as a leader in innovative efforts for improving health and wellbeing," said Lt. Governor Brown. "Maryland's PCMH program is helping to enhance the quality of health care and reduce costs by providing physicians with responsible incentives to spend more time with patients, coordinate care and promote prevention and wellness. NCQA recognition will allow these practices to continue moving forward with this advanced primary care model which has the potential to not only improve patient care and outcomes, but bend the curve of rising health care costs."

All large private health insurers and most Medicaid managed care organizations participate in the program by paying for the costs of adopting the PCMH model and sharing savings that result with practices in the program. The MMPP has garnered additional support from major Maryland employers and plan sponsors, including the federal government's employee health plan, the State employees' health plan, and the Maryland Health Insurance Plan (MHIP), the state high risk insurance pool. Most recently, the Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan, which serves US military families in Maryland, agreed to participate in the program.

Maryland practices' achievements are due, in part, to the innovative leadership provided by the Maryland Health Care Commission and the Maryland Learning Collaborative (MLC), a clinician-led organization composed of primary care physician leaders from the University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, and leading practice transformation experts from across the country. The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and major pharmaceutical companies have provided support to the MLC.

Practices participating in the program span the entire range of primary care delivery in Maryland, including large and small physician-owned practices, sole physician and nurse practitioner practices, health system-owned practices, and several community health centers. Legislation championed during the 2012 session of the General Assembly by Lt. Governor Brown will prioritize expansion of the PCMH program to primary care practices participating in Health Enterprise Zones, an innovative pilot program designed to reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic groups and geographic areas. The MMPP will continue until 2014, at which time the General Assembly will determine if the program should be expanded to a statewide initiative.

As Chair of the Maryland Health Quality and Cost Council and the Co-Chair of the Governor's Health Reform Coordinating Council, Lt. Governor Brown leads the O'Malley-Brown Administration's health care reform efforts. During the 2012 session of the Maryland General Assembly, Lt. Governor Brown successfully led efforts to pass legislation advancing Maryland's Health Benefit Exchange and is championing efforts to reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic groups and geographic areas by creating an innovative Health Enterprise Zone pilot program. Under the leadership of Governor O'Malley and Lt. Governor Brown, Maryland has implemented reforms that have expanded health coverage to over 310,000 Marylanders and put the State in position to maximize the Affordable Care Act.

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MD Hepatitis Coalition honoring Local Heroes

Baltimore, MD (May 8, 2012) -The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Maryland Hepatitis Coalition in observance of National Hepatitis Awareness Month. DHMH also joins the Maryland Hepatitis Coalition in honoring a number of local heroes for their exemplary work and dedication in the battle against this disease.

"Regrettably, most people with hepatitis don't know they are infected because of the asymptomatic nature of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C,” said Heather Hauck, Director of the DHMH Infectious Disease and Environmental Health Administration (IDEHA). “Treatment can improve and prolong life - getting tested is the first step."

Testing is critical to successfully treating hepatitis. Awareness and prevention are the keys to stopping its spread. Vaccines do exist, and DHMH urges Marylanders to talk with their health care providers about being vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B.

Hepatitis is a group of viral infections that damage the liver and can cause liver cancer. Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types of the disease. There are an estimated 3.5 to 5.3 million people living with viral hepatitis in the United States, and millions more are at risk for infection. Hepatitis A or HAV is spread mainly through contact with contaminated food and water, hepatitis B (HBV) is spread mainly by sexual contact, and hepatitis C or HCV is spread through sexual contact and injection drug use.

"Our community partners are critical in the success of addressing hepatitis," said Frances Phillips, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services. "DHMH commends the Maryland Hepatitis Coalition for honoring community stakeholders, who work to provide hepatitis education and health care programs, through The Hepatitis Heroes of Maryland Awards."

The Hepatitis Heroes of Maryland Awards ceremony is being held today, May 8, 2012, at Baltimore’s Healthcare for the Homeless facility. To learn more about the Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Program for the State of Maryland and other hepatitis activities in the state, including where you can go to get tested please visit: http://ideha.dhmh.maryland.gov/OIDPCS/AVHPP/SitePages/Home.aspx.

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Medication Distribution strategies in the Baltimore Region to be tested