340B Rebate Updates
On Wednesday, February 25th, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced an updated deadline for public comments on its proposed 340B rebate model.
📅 New Comment Deadline
April 20, 2026
Extended from the previous deadline
🔍 Current Status
The current upfront 340B discount model remains in place during this review period
HRSA continues to seek feedback on how a rebate-based approach would work operationally and financially. We'll continue monitoring this evolving issue and share updates as further guidance, comments, and regulatory actions emerge.
⚠️ Measles Update and Reminders
If Measles Is Suspected
Isolate Immediately
Place patient in a negative pressure/single room with HEPA filtration. Use Airborne/Contact precautions (N95 or PAPR). Keep room closed 2–3 hours after patient leaves.
Confirm Immunization Status
Verify MMR history (1 dose ≈93% effective; 2 doses ≈99%).
Inform the Health Department
Contact the local or state health department (24/7) if measles is suspected.
Assess & Document
Recent travel or exposure within 21 days, respiratory symptoms (the 3 Cs), rash timing/location, and differential diagnosis.
Key Facts
Transmission
Airborne virus; can linger up to 2 hours after exposure
Incubation
Symptoms begin 7–14 days (up to 21 days) post-exposure
Common Signs
High fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots, and spreading rash
Testing (High Clinical Suspicion)
- Acute Measles Panel (IgM + PCR) or PCR swab per protocol
- All PHS CHCs have testing supplies
- Report positives immediately to health department and notify nurse manager
Project Catalyst Weekly Update
We're making strong progress and meeting our deliverables, with several areas already ahead of schedule. Thank you to the Core Team, Health Systems Applications Team, and all committee members for the continued collaboration and momentum.
April 7, 2026
Live Claims Testing — Validates that claims can successfully move through the system end to end, ensuring payer connectivity, billing workflows, and revenue cycle processes are functioning as expected.
May 19, 2026
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) — Super Users and Testers validate real-world workflows in the system. Operational testing to confirm the system supports how we deliver care and manage workflows.
August 4, 2026
Epic Go Live — Full system launch. All preparation phases lead to this critical milestone.
How Does PHS Prepare?
UAT Super User Testers will begin training in the coming weeks — stay tuned for an email with details
Leadership teams support testers with dedicated time for training and testing
Workflow questions and gaps should be surfaced early when reviewing trainings or attending meetings
Who is involved? Our SubCommittee Super Users and Testers work in conjunction with the Core Team during this phase. Click here to view the Super Users and Testers Team roster.
FloresHR helpful tips:
When accessing the updated FloresHR.com website, please note that the system now uses your Social Security Number (SSN) in place of the old Personal Identification Number (PID).
Although the login screen may prompt for an “Employee Number,” this field should be filled in using your SSN, not an employee ID or former PID.
This change applies to all employees, so be sure to enter your SSN when logging in to ensure successful access.
🚨 PHS NEWSFLASH! ICM Team Visit Coming Soon — Get Ready!
A PHS interdisciplinary team will be visiting departments soon to complete the Joint Commission–required Intracycle Monitoring (ICM) process. The team includes Quality, Infection Control, Nursing, Operations, and Environmental Safety.
Why It Matters
ICM is a continuous compliance activity required by The Joint Commission between survey years. It helps assess standards, identify improvements, and strengthen patient safety.
How You Can Help
- Be available and engaged during tracers
- Know policies related to your role
- Be ready to explain your daily processes
- Ask questions — this is a learning opportunity
Celebrating Our Caregivers: Upcoming PACE Events
This week, event flyers for PACE caregiver events will be arriving in our clinic waiting rooms. Join us for a special event titled "Caring for Caregivers":
📍 Burlington
March 25th
📍 Pittsboro
March 26th
This event is designed to:
- Connect caregivers with valuable community resources
- Provide opportunities to meet and support one another
- Share more about the range of services PACE provides
- Give caregivers space to recharge, feel appreciated, and gain helpful tools
⛈️ Severe Weather Preparedness Week
We encourage you to share this information at staff meetings and conduct an exercise surrounding Severe Weather. It does not have to be on Wednesday only — a short exercise document has been attached to assist with a scenario and questions to ask.
Helpful Resources:
- ReadyNC.gov — North Carolina emergency preparedness
- Ready.gov — Federal emergency preparedness
Welcome to Our Technology Department Team
We're excited to welcome two new team members who will help strengthen our service delivery and support our growing technology portfolio across PHS.
Jordan Gray
Help Desk Support Specialist
Jordan joins our Help Desk Team with strong hands-on experience in end-user support, Microsoft 365 administration, and systems troubleshooting across Windows and macOS environments. With CompTIA certifications and a focus on cybersecurity, he brings both technical depth and a service mindset.
His approach to documentation, process improvement, and proactive troubleshooting will enhance our Service Desk operations and overall user experience.
Wendy Farrington
Technology Project Manager
Wendy joins us as our Technology Project Manager, bringing extensive experience leading large-scale technology implementations in healthcare and public sector environments. She has successfully guided complex, enterprise-level initiatives from planning through rollout.
Her expertise in project governance, stakeholder coordination, and structured delivery will strengthen how we manage our technology portfolio across the organization.
🗳️ VOTE VOTE VOTE — Best of Chapel Hill!
We are beyond excited to announce that Piedmont Health has been nominated for Best Pediatrician/Family Medicine in the Best of Chapel Hill awards — for the second year in a row!
🗓️ Voting Starts
March 2nd
Don't miss your chance to show your support!
This nomination is a testament to the dedication and excellence of our entire care team. Show your support and help us bring home the recognition our community deserves!
Black History Month Celebration at PACE Burlington
Events like this not only educate, but uplift, inspire pride, and strengthen community connections. Most importantly, the celebration created a space where PACE participants could see themselves represented in a beautiful and empowering light. What a wonderful way to close out Black History Month! 🎉
There was a powerful and meaningful celebration at PACE Burlington this week! In honor of Black History Month, participants enjoyed an inspiring event filled with:
Interpretive Dance
A moving and expressive performance that honored the cultural richness of Black history and heritage.
PACE Choir Performances
The PACE choir lifted spirits and brought the community together through song and celebration.
Black History Trivia
Engaging trivia celebrating the remarkable achievements of historical Black figures and their lasting impact on our world.
WIC Highlights 🎉
Participants Served
WIC served 489 participants across all sites this week
We're proud to celebrate some outstanding milestones on our WIC team this week:
🏆 Congratulations, Donnisha Cook!
Passed her Registered Dietitian licensure exam. What an incredible achievement — we are so proud of you!
🎂 Happy Work Anniversaries!
Gillian Bridges — 1 Year
Lily Nava — 2 Years on the PHS and WIC team
Thank you all for your continued dedication and impact!
Looking Ahead Together
As we close out another productive week, I'm filled with gratitude for the professionalism, resilience, and heart that each of you brings to this important work. The challenges we face in serving vulnerable populations are real and complex, yet your unwavering commitment to our mission gives me confidence that we will continue to make meaningful differences in people's lives.
The updates we've shared this week—from policy changes to program innovations to individual acts of excellence—all reflect a common thread: our organization succeeds because of the people who show up every day with dedication and purpose. You are not just implementing programs; you are changing lives, supporting families, and strengthening communities.
As you move into the weekend, please take time to recharge and care for yourselves. The work we do requires not just professional expertise but also emotional resilience, and sustainable impact requires sustainable practices. Thank you for everything you do, for the populations we serve, for each other, and for our shared mission.
I look forward to connecting with you again next week with more updates, more celebrations of your achievements, and continued partnership in this meaningful work we do together.
"Together, we are building something remarkable—not just programs and services, but a culture of excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those who depend on us."
A medida que avanzan hacia el fin de semana, por favor tómense un tiempo para recargar energías y cuidarse a sí mismos. El trabajo que realizamos requiere no solo experienciencia profesional, sino también resiliencia emocional y un impacto sostenible exige prácticas sostenibles.
Gracias por todo lo que hacen: por las poblaciones a las que servimos y por nuestra misión compartida.
Espero volver a conectar con ustedes la próxima semana con más actualizaciones, más celebraciones de sus logros y la continuación de esta valiosa colaboración en el trabajo tan significativo que hacemos juntos.
With gratitude,
Daniella Jaimes-Colina, PhD, MBA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
Piedmont's Weekly Update