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Three exciting models in Oregon rely on community-clinical partnership, using traditional health workers to help patients navigate the health system and access appropriate self-management education and needed social services.

Toyota has developed a practical application of a human-centric production system that is deeply rooted in management philosophies and workplace culture. This philosophy, which they’ve dubbed the Toyota Production System (TPS), is built off of Lean concepts and elimination of waste. Sound familiar? In recent years, the “buzzwords” and strategies of Lean have trickled their way into the healthcare system as a way to improve delivery of care. Although different industries, we can learn a lot from Toyota about how Lean can help the healthcare system move toward ideal patient care.

Eliminating preventable patient harm continues to be the siren song in the health care industry.  Finding ways to reduce harm across the industry has been met with varying degrees of success. To achieve robust improvement in preventable harm, Marshall, Pronovost and Dixon-Woods (2013) describe the need for an integrative improvement science program of learning. Beginning the Fall 2017, the University of Portland Graduate School is offering such a program of study.

In 2017, Oregon’s coordinated care organizations (CCOs) will be accountable for reducing cigarette smoking prevalence among their members. To support CCOs, clinics, and providers working on this incentive measure, the Oregon Health Authority Transformation Center recently released a list of the best evidence-based resources for tobacco cessation counseling.