Kansas Department of Health and Environment

The meeting covered a Trauma Systems Update, noting that the Advisory Committee on Trauma (ACT) will contract with Dr. Maxson in early 2024 for a system-wide evaluation of the trauma system, which includes linking EMS data with trauma registry data. Concerns were raised regarding the potential negative impact of more hospitals transitioning to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status on trauma center admissions. The Registry Update included an announcement regarding the extension of the 3rd Quarter Submission Deadline to January 31, 2024. Discussions focused heavily on training needs, including report writing assistance, the suggestion of a case study-based training for new users, and group interest in a two-day workshop and a User Manual. Specific support requests included guidance on filling out new tabs in the Level IV data dictionary and training on coding specific injury types. It was also mentioned that submitting late data delays the quarterly Benchmark reports for all facilities.

The Kansas Highly Infectious Disease and Pandemic Plan provides strategies to reduce morbidity, mortality, and social disruption related to highly infectious diseases and pandemics. It addresses influenza, coronaviruses, and viral hemorrhagic fevers, outlining preparedness, response, and recovery phases. The plan emphasizes community resilience, biosurveillance, surge management, information management, and countermeasures, integrating federal and state roles to ensure a coordinated response.

The meeting included discussions and decisions on several key topics, including the safe use of antidepressant medications for all ages. The board reviewed and approved revised prior authorization criteria for Crohn's Disease Agents, Oncology Agents, Opioid Products Indicated for Pain Management, Plaque Psoriasis Agents, Psoriatic Arthritis Agents, and Ulcerative Colitis Agents. New prior authorization criteria were approved for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Agents, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) Agents, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Agents, and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Agents. The board also discussed and nominated interventions for Fee-for-Service Retrospective Drug Utilization Review.

The meeting agenda includes discussions on Mental Health Medication Advisory Committee (MHMAC) recommendations regarding ADHD, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, focusing on safe use for all ages. Revisions to prior authorization (PA) criteria for Crohn's Disease Agents, Oncology Agents, Oncology Auxiliary Treatment Agents, Migraine Prophylaxis Agents, Weight Loss Agents, Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Agents, Minimum Requirements Prior Authorization, Opioid Products Indicated for Pain Management, and Atopic Dermatitis Agents will be reviewed. The agenda also includes the appointment of a chairperson and interim chairperson.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) 2023-2026 Strategic Plan focuses on advancing fairness and opportunity across all divisions, including Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance. It aims to reduce health disparities, promote community participation, and address environmental health challenges through data-driven decision-making and collaboration. The plan emphasizes fairness and opportunity both internally and externally, with specific strategies for recruitment, retention, engagement, data-driven decision-making, health outcomes, and communications to ensure broad access to care.