MHA, MPCA reach improved agreement over evaluation method of pharmaceutical waste : Mar 05, 2010

On Feb. 26, MHA received approval from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Commissioner Paul Eger on an improved agreement known as the "alternative method for evaluating pharmaceutical waste."

The improved agreement removes controlled substances from the list of risk criteria groups that hospitals must consider when determining if a pharmaceutical waste should be handled as hazardous. The new agreement also includes an updated list of MHA hospitals [DOC], thus expanding the number of facilities that may operate using this approach.

To view the complete "alternative method for evaluating pharmaceutical waste" document, visit our  page here.

In 2005, the MHA and MPCA reached the original agreement on the "alternative method for evaluating pharmaceutical waste" after hospitals found it very difficult to gather the specific data required to determine if pharmaceutical waste was lethal under Minnesota hazardous waste rules. This agreed-upon method has minimized an otherwise significant diversion of time and resources away from patient care, while retaining the protection of human health and the environment.

MHA will host training programs featuring MPCA regulators May 26 in Baxter, May 27 in Plymouth and June 3 in Morton. Further details are also available on the MHA events Web site.

Hospital leaders are encouraged to share information about the improved agreement and MHA training programs with safety, pharmacy and laboratory directors. The training programs will also feature a breakout session for clinic and long-term care staff.

For more information contact Ann Gibson, MHA federal relations director at (651) 603-3527.

Save the Date: Minnesota rural health conference set for June 28-29 : Mar 12, 2010

Duluth event details now online

Prospective attendees of the Minnesota rural health conference, scheduled for June 28-29 in Duluth, can read about plans for the event here.

The conference is organized by the Minnesota Department of Health's Office of Rural Health and Primary Care; the Minnesota Rural Health Association and the Rural Health Resource Center. The conference will take an in-depth look at issues involving:

• federal and state health care reform;
• health information technology;
• quality;
• work force; and
• finance and reimbursement, with a Monday focus on critical-access hospitals and the challenges and changes that specifically affect them.

Nominations for the Rural Health Hero award and the Rural Health Team award are due May 4.

The lodging reservation deadline is May 28.

Details about the awards, lodging and sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available this link.

For other information contact Minnesota Rural Health Conference organizers at (218) 727-9390 at this e-mail address.

MHA Healthcare Executives' Institute session to offer American College of Healthcare Executives credit : Feb 26, 2010

Friday morning session approved for three ACHE Category I credits

A session at the upcoming Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) Healthcare Executives' Institute has been approved for three American College of Healthcare Executive Category 1 credits.

"Organizational Transformation: How Leaders Make Good Better" will take place Friday morning, March 12. The institute in Plymouth begins Wednesday, March 10.

During the half-day presentation, health care consultant Thomas Atchison will discuss how case- study data can be used to create change processes fundamental to organizational transformation. He will also define the major factors that lead to high performance, as well as methods for measuring high-performance factors within an organization. In addition, Atchison will discuss techniques for changing elements that measure below expectations.

An additional registration fee is required for those who would like the credits. Also, participants who are unable to attend the entire conference may register for Atchison's session only, at a reduced price. For more information, visit MHA's events site or contact MHA's Education Department at (651) 641-1121.

Nursing home administrators credit
In addition, the entirety of the MHA Healthcare Executives' Institute has been approved for 13.5 hours of continuing education credit from the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators.

Minnesota Board of Medical Practice to host seminar on chronic pain management : Feb 26, 2010

Free event set for March 10 in Minneapolis

The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice will host a free seminar March 10 on management of chronic pain.

This session will be tailored to physicians who are not specialists in the care of chronic pain patients.

The seminar, to be conducted by board physician members and board staff, will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the board offices in Minneapolis. Dinner will be provided.

Obtain continuing medical education credits by taking the post test here: [PDF]

Contact Cheryl Kohanek at (612) 617-2158 to register.

Patient Safety Awareness Week: March 7-13 : Feb 19, 2010

Theme is "Let's Talk! Healthy Conversations for Safer Healthcare"

Patient Safety Awareness Week is March 7-13, and related activities are aimed at promoting patient safety, improving health care quality and strengthening alliances between patients, families and their health care providers.

In its eighth year, the week is sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation. The commemoration is celebrated by countless health care organizations around the world; click here to find out how your organization can participate.

Events will work to educate patients on how to become more involved in their own health care. They will also promote activities that foster partnerships between health care providers and their community. The 2010 theme - "Let's Talk! Healthy Conversations for Safer Healthcare" - is meant to help emphasize that clear and open communication between patients and their health care providers is fundamental to safe care.

Upcoming MHA Healthcare Executives' Institute to feature diverse speakers : Feb 19, 2010

Event set for March 10-12

Next month's Minnesota Hospital Association Healthcare Executives' Institute will feature several presentations designed to broaden participants' thinking about current issues, tap into their instincts to create new opportunities and orchestrate better performance.

Highlights will include presentations by Katie Bell, a partner at Atlanta, Ga.-based research company Gallup; customer service and corporate culture speaker Liz Jazwiec; and recently graduated physicians Matthew Dammeyer and Sereen Sharp.

In her presentation, "Measuring the Health and Well-Being of Minnesota," Bell will discuss the well-being index, a measurement of how Americans are faring physically, emotionally, socially and economically. The index was developed by Gallup in partnership with Healthways, a disease management and health-coaching firm. Data is available for every state and for each of the 435 congressional districts. Bell will provide a look at where Minnesota stands and how this information can be a resource.

Liz Jazwiec's presentation, "Accountability: Turn Limited Resources into Results," offers strategies leaders can use to improve their organization's employee morale, efficiency and service. Founder and CEO of Chicago-based Liz Inc., Jazwiec will highlight reliable methods for leading organizational change, dealing with everyday stressors, sustaining positive results and weaving change into the fabric of an organization.

In their presentation, "Rural Physicians - A Learning Experience," Matthew Dammeyer, M.D., and Sereen Sharp, M.D. will discuss issues new physicians are facing as they make decisions about where to practice. A family practice doctor at Affiliated Community Medical Centers - Benson Clinic and at Swift County Benson Hospital, Dammeyer is a recent graduate of the Rural Physician Associate Program. Sharp practices internal medicine at Fairview Mesaba Clinic in Hibbing. She and Dammeyer will explain why they chose to practice in a rural area and what they believe new graduates are seeking.

MHA's Healthcare Executives' Institute will take place March 10-12 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Plymouth. For more information, visit MHA's Events Web site here and log-in to register.

Accommodations deadline approaches

The deadline to make a room reservation at the Radisson under MHA’s group rate is Feb. 25. Members may call (763) 559-6600 and mention that they are with MHA. Or, reservations may be made at www.radisson.com/mhahci10.

Minnesota palliative care meeting set for April 8 : Feb 19, 2010

Registrations for St. Cloud event are due March 25

The Minnesota Rural Palliative Care Outcomes Congress is scheduled for April 8 in St. Cloud. The event is targeted at health care administrative and clinical leaders and other stakeholders, especially those in rural communities.

Palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for people facing serious, usually incurable illnesses or disease.

The meeting will focus on rural health care needs and opportunities for enhancing palliative care services, materials said. Attendees will learn how to build a foundation for a palliative care program or plan to grow or support an existing one.

Ten rural Minnesota communities that participated in a related Stratis Health groundbreaking program, called the Minnesota Rural Palliative Care Initiative, will share their stories and lessons learned about establishing or furthering their palliative care programs. Stratis is hosting the congress.

The keynote presentation will be given by Dr. David Weissman, founder of the Medical College of Wisconsin Palliative Care Center and director of the End-of-Life Palliative Education Resource Center (EPERC), which is supported by the Medical College of Wisconsin.

The 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. meeting costs $50 and includes lunch. Registrations are due by March 25. Read more details about the event here.

HealthForce Minnesota to offer adult

Events to offer information on health care jobs, training

Camp isn't just for kids - "scrubs camps" for adults will take place around the state this spring to introduce attendees to diverse health care job possibilities.

The meetings, hosted by HealthForce Minnesota, offer a fun, relaxed way to learn about diverse career options and to network with health care professionals, Executive Director Jane Foote said in program materials. HealthForce Minnesota is a state-funded virtual collaborative network, launched by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities organization, that focuses on health care innovation.

Information about education institutions and work-force development agencies will be part of the mix at the sessions. The camps are aimed at anyone 18 years and older who is looking for a career change or is unemployed or displaced from work.

The events are being offered for free or at reduced rates from last year.

Schedule:
Pipestone, March 10-11 - register by Feb. 26. Free.
St. Cloud, May 17-20 - registration is $30. Details to be available next month.
Rochester, May 25-27 - registration is free. Details to be available next month.

See www.healthforceminnesota.org to learn more and to obtain brochures and registration links.

MHA, Stratis Health to host regional patient safety meetings : Feb 12, 2010

Events to take place in March, April

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) and Stratis Health will host their annual Patient Safety Quality Meeting with members at six locations throughout the state in March and April.

Patient safety and quality professionals will discuss current quality and patient safety issues, and patient safety activity updates will be given by MHA and Stratis. The meeting also serves as a forum for learning and sharing success stories and challenges.

Schedule:

Metro area - March 16
MHA Region 4)
Stratis Health
2901 Metro Dr., Ste. 400
Bloomington
(952) 854-3306

Redwood Falls - March 17
(MHA Region 5)
Community Center
901 E. Cook St.
Redwood Falls
(507) 644-2333

Bemidji - April 6
(MHA Region 1)
Hampton Inn & Suites
1019 Paul Bunyan Dr.
Bemidji
(218) 751-3600

Duluth area - April 7
(MHA Region 2)
Hermantown Clinic
4855 W. Arrowhead Road
Hermantown

Owatonna - April 20
(MHA Region 6)
Owatonna Hospital
2250 26th St. N.W., Room 1489
Owatonna
(507) 455-7604
Note: This is a new location for the hospital

St. Cloud - April 29
(MHA Region 3)
St. Cloud Holiday Inn
75 - 37th Ave. S.
St. Cloud

The event costs $15 to cover lunch and beverages. To register online and pay with a credit card visit www.stratishealth.org/events/regpsqi.html.

For more information contact Tania Daniels, MHA vice president of patient safety at (651) 603-3517.

MDH to host trauma performance improvement seminar in St. Paul, Bemidji, Marshall, Alexandria : Jan 22, 2010

One-day meetings scheduled for May

The Minnesota Statewide Trauma System will host a one-day trauma performance improvement seminar at four locations across the state in May.

Hospital trauma program medical directors and managers who attend will learn about their responsibilities from physician experts. The seminar is tailored for Minnesota's Level III and IV trauma centers, but those from facilities that are not designated trauma hospitals are also welcome.

The Minnesota Statewide Trauma System is operated by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Meeting Schedule: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.:

- May 7, St. Paul
- May 11, Bemidji
- May 19, Marshall
- May 26, Alexandria

For details, contact Chris Ballard, the Minnesota Statewide Trauma System's designation coordinator, at (651) 201-3841. Also visit www.health.state.mn.us/traumasystem.

Bar association seeks volunteers for National Healthcare Decisions Day : Mar 12, 2010

MHA sells brochure also meant to aid communication about end-of-life care directives

A group of the Minnesota State Bar Association is seeking volunteers to assist with National Healthcare Decisions Day activities.

The annual commemoration, April 16 this year, promotes planning for end-of-life health care decisions and living wills. Volunteers who are familiar with the Minnesota Health Care Directive and who would be able to present a program about advance care planning are sought. Those who can assist event attendees in completing a health care directive are also needed.

To volunteer, contact NHDD Minnesota Planning Group chair Kristine Mullman at this e-mail address.

On a related note, the Minnesota Hospital Association sells a brochure, created by the organization Aging With Dignity, designed to help patients communicate about the same issues.

"Five Wishes" is a living will written in everyday language. It is meant to help structure conversations about care in times of serious illness when the patient can no longer speak for themselves. The brochure lets patients' family members and doctors know in advance, for instance:

• who they want to make health care decisions for them when they can't make them;
• the kind of medical treatment they do and don't want if they're unable to communicate those desires for themselves; and
• what they want their loved ones to know about their end-of-life care.

To order the $1.10 pamphlet, visit MHA's orders Web site here, or contact Sarah Bohnet at (651) 603-3494.

Brochure works to help hospitals communicate with patients about safety : Mar 05, 2010

Editor's Note: This occasional news feature will describe a Minnesota Hospital Association product or service.


"Communicating Outcomes to Patients" covers policies, procedures

The Minnesota Hospital Association produces a brochure designed to help hospitals communicate with patients about their philosophy on patient safety. The document is also meant as a resource for hospitals that are developing the policies and procedures that will help the organization bear out those ideals.

"Communicating Outcomes to Patients" provides suggested language that hospital staff members can use, for example, after a medical procedure results in an unanticipated outcome. The $2 document also defines that term.

Wording in the brochure may be modified to meet hospitals' specific needs.

Following is the sample patient safety philosophical statement contained in the pamphlet:

Philosophy
"Open and ongoing communication with patients about their care and the outcomes of such care is critical so that patients can be full partners in their health care. Patients have the right to receive accurate, timely, and easily understood information so that they can make informed decisions about their care. Health care institutions and providers have an obligation to inform patients and, when appropriate, their families about the outcomes of care, treatment and services that have been provided, including unanticipated outcomes (JCAHO - RR 2.90). Institutions and providers have a legal and ethical duty to disclose medical accidents when there are clinical consequences resulting from the medical accidents or when a reasonable person would want to know, regardless of whether any negative clinical consequences resulted from the medical accident."

To order "Communicating Outcomes to Patients," contact Sarah Bohnet, MHA communications and work force assistant, at (651) 603-3494 or go here.

MHA partner adds interpreter services for deaf : Feb 19, 2010

Laptop, Webcam allow instant sign language video communication via the Internet

Because hospitals are required to provide interpreter services for patients who need them, the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) has developed a relationship with a vendor partner to help members meet that requirement.

And Dallas-based SpectraCorp Technologies Group Inc. recently began offering sign language by video via the Internet to help serve deaf patients. SpectraCorp, an MHA associate member, has long provided spoken foreign-language interpreter services to MHA members.

The sign-language service works via a laptop computer equipped with a Webcam and a microphone. Members can arrange to view a demonstration of the application by contacting MHA Work Force Vice President Richard Kreyer at (651) 659-1443.

The cost can be based either on the number of beds at the user's facility or on the number of stations they use.

Federal law requires all hospitals that receive federal funding, such as through Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements, to provide language interpreter services to all patients, including those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

SpectraCorp's spoken language interpreter services are available for 150 languages around-the-clock by phone.

Additional interpreter resources can be found:

• at the Minnesota Department of Human Services Web site, here.
• at the Minnesota Department of Health Web site here, which includes a list of spoken foreign language interpreters. A 2008 law called for the health department to create the voluntary listing of interpreters, especially as a tool to address the needs of limited-English proficiency patients in rural areas.
• on this MDH document, which explains issues surrounding interpreters used by health care organizations: [PDF].
• on the Web site for the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans here; and
• from the Minnesota Medical Association (MMA), which is offering Minnesota clinics free training on how to use interpreters. For more information, contact Dennis Gerhardstein, manager of physician outreach, at (612) 362-3745.

MPR to host St. Paul health care summit in advance of national bipartisan health care meeting : Feb 19, 2010

Event to include panel of Minnesota leaders in health care, academia, public policy

In anticipation of President Obama's Feb. 25 bipartisan health care meeting, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) will host a forum in St. Paul to analyze the reform options to be discussed by congressional leaders and the president.

The free, Feb. 23 evening event will be hosted by MPR's Kerri Miller of the "Midmorning" program. The meeting will include a panel of leaders in health care, academia and public policy from Minnesota.

Guests will include:

• Dr. Roger Feldman, Blue Cross professor of health insurance at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health;
• Dr. Robert Nesse, president and chief executive officer of Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, a member of the Mayo Health System; and
• Mary Brainerd, president and CEO of HealthPartners.

The gathering will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. at the UBS Forum at MPR. Reserve seats and obtain other event details here.

For more information, visit the MPR Web site.

HCAM spring newsletter issued : Feb 12, 2010

Quarterly publication available online

The Health Care Auxiliary of Minnesota (HCAM) has published the February/Spring edition of its quarterly newsletter.

The issue mentions how HCAM members are planning a visit to the Minnesota Capitol April 8 to use their voices to support Minnesota's high quality health care. It also covers member responses to the organization's new educational modules and consultation services. Read the edition at www.mnhcam.org/quarterly.asp.

HCAM serves auxiliaries and volunteer groups at hospitals and long-term care facilities across the state.

HCMC literacy program celebrates 100,000th book give-away : Mar 05, 2010

Green-eggs-and-ham breakfast, other events coincide with Read Across America Day, Dr. Seuss' birthday

Coinciding with Dr. Seuss' birthday, the pediatric literacy program at Hennepin County Medical Center on Tuesday gave away its 100,000th book.

The milestone -- and Read Across America Day -- were marked with a green-eggs-and-ham breakfast and other activities tailored to young patients and visitors to the Minneapolis hospital.

Literacy experiences are critical to a child's healthy development because stories stimulate brain growth, translating into school success and, ultimately, better health. The literacy program began in 2002 with literacy liaison Lynne Burke and a dream to connect children with books when they come to the hospital -- even when they first enter the world as newborns.

"The effect has been amazing," Burke said in an HCMC news release. "There's nothing more gratifying than to see a child's face light up after receiving a book, and we can't think of a better day to celebrate."

Other activities included:

• a roundtable discussion about pediatric literacy with food writer and columnist "Suess" Zellickson (Sue Zellickson); and
• Hospital Chief Executive Officer Art Gonzalez reading to patients, with dramatic interpretations courtesy of Timberwolves mascot Crunch.

Burke and 11 volunteers run the program. The initiative is funded by donations and grants, and it also helps community organizations in their efforts to bring kids and books together. For more information, visit www.hcmc.org/read.

St. Peter hospital sends support to Haiti : Feb 26, 2010

River's Edge Hospital & Clinic raised more than $1,000

River's Edge Hospital & Clinic in St. Peter recently raised $1,079 for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. The money was donated to the American Red Cross Haiti Fund.

In addition, two River's Edge employees have or will provide assistance there. Janet Nordstrom, a physical therapist, spent two weeks in Haiti working with amputees. And Heidi Faul, a nurse practitioner, will soon join 20 members of Bethel Baptist Church of Minneapolis for a week treating Haitians in need of medical care.

Faul has been collecting hundreds of pounds of medications and supplies from area pharmacies, nursing homes and hospitals - including River's Edge - to take with her. Read this Feb. 24 St. Peter Herald news story about Faul's plan for details.

Wabasha hospital joins efforts to support Haiti : Feb 19, 2010

Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center donates funds

Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center in Wabasha, in collaboration with St. Felix Parish in Wabasha, recently raised more than $3,000 for the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

The money will aid the work of an order of nuns that is connected to the medical center's sponsoring organization, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. The order has nuns in the United States, the West Indies, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The sisters work in food pantries, free clinics, schools and parishes, the hospital said.

Also, R.N. Joanne Hewitt of the medical center's long-term care department, plans to travel to Haiti next month.

Crosby hospital's remodeling project earns national construction award : Feb 19, 2010

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center project honored Feb. 4

A recent addition to and remodeling of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center of Crosby earned a national construction award for rural hospital projects Feb. 4.

Construction company Nor-Son Inc., based in Baxter and an MHA associate member, earned the Excellence in Construction award from the Associated Builders and Contractors at a San Diego ceremony. The award honored projects in the $10-$25 million range.

Under the 82,500-square-foot initiative, skilled-care nursing home rooms were remodeled to provide acute-care rooms -- the former acute-care rooms were demolished to create new radiology and operating rooms. And a new roof system was built to provide space for electrical, heating and cooling conduits.

Among the other changes to the 1962 building was the addition of a cell phone tower for improved wireless connections for patients, family and staff.

Additional Minnesota hospitals tell about their patient safety activities : Mar 12, 2010

Commemoration was this week

The following Minnesota hospitals shared details about the activities they hosted or will host in observance of national Patient Safety Awareness Week, which ends Saturday.

The eighth-annual commemoration, sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation, seeks to educate patients on how to become more involved in their health care and to promote partnerships between health care providers and their communities.

Kanabec Hospital of Mora will host an educational event for both patients and staff March 25.

"Applying Strategies from Hospital to Home" will cover: skin safety/pressure ulcer prevention; medication safety tips, safe site/surgical site infection prevention, preventing falls and sleep issues.

Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester this week has been hosting continuing-education panel discussions about "healthy" and "unhealthy" conversations related to direct patient care.

As part of the discussions, seven Olmsted Medical Center clinicians and clinical services administrators have talked about actual scenarios in which care-team communication about patients either was or was not patient-centered. They also covered how that communication affected quality of care and patient safety and provided guidance on how to make such conversations as healthy as possible.

Specifically, discussions included questions like:

• How can we create a communication culture that is safe and encouraging?
• What happens if everyone is not on the same page?
• How does the "Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation" communication method help?

Panelists were:

• Deb Perry, director of medical surgical services;
• Beth Thompson, R.N.;
• Emily Applen, R.N.;
• Holley Counsell, R.N.;
• Deb Knutson, director of anesthesia and pain management;
• Scott VanBenschoten, director of radiology services; and
• Jen DeClercq, director of lab services.

"Even in 2009, when we had no reportable adverse health events, we wanted to keep our patient-safety momentum going," materials said.

Stevens Community Medical Center of Morris has posted a display in its waiting area that encourages patients to communicate with health care staff members, ask questions and carry a medication and allergy list. The information also:

• lists a phone number for patients to call to ask for help in compiling a medication list;
• says patients should expect every member of the organization's staff to ask for two identifiers; and
• says patients should expect staff to wash their hands before care is provided.

In addition, Stevens Community Medical Center has a patient safety checklist patients can fill out and submit for a chance to win a drawing for one of two $10 gift certificates to the hospital's gift shop.

For staff members, the hospital organized a medallion hunt for a $50 prize. Clues involved patient safety.

Also, staffers were asked to wear wristbands that say "Always use 2 Identifiers" all week; at week's end they participated in a drawing for a cafeteria meal ticket or a $10 gift shop gift certificate.

Thirdly, staff members were asked to identify unsafe elements on a hypothetical physician order sheet. Another drawing was held for participants.

For more information about patient safety issues, contact Tania Daniels, MHA vice president of patient safety, at (651) 603-3517 or Julie Apold, MHA director of patient safety, at (651) 603-3538.

Minnesota hospitals to spread word about patient safety in conjunction with Patient Safety Awareness Week : Mar 05, 2010

Commemoration is next week

Patient Safety Awareness Week is March 7-13, and the Minnesota hospitals mentioned below will host or have hosted related activities.

The eighth-annual commemoration, sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation, works to educate patients on how to become more involved in their health care and to promote partnerships between health care providers and their communities.

Among other prominent patient safety efforts, the Minnesota Hospital Association's (MHA's) quarterly patient safety awards recognize hospitals' work to prevent the most common types of adverse health events in Minnesota. Those are: pressure ulcers, falls, retained foreign objects and wrong-site, wrong-patient and wrong-procedure invasive procedures.

In January, MHA launched the Good Catch Award to recognize hospital professionals who "speak up" to prevent potential harm to patients. Certificate winners are selected among member hospital nominations. Winners are eligible to win a quarterly and a yearly MHA Good Catch Award.

Minnesota hospital patient safety week activities:

1. St. Cloud-based CentraCare Health System and its St. Cloud Hospital are kicking off the organizations' participation in MHA's Good Catch Award program by encouraging employees to complete a "culture of safety" survey. In a play on "Good Catch," on Monday staff will hand out Goldfish crackers.
   
   The health system is also placing posters that encourage patients and their families to ask the following three questions, suggested by the National Patient Safety Foundation, when meeting with their doctor, nurse or pharmacist:
   • What is my main problem?
   • What do I need to do?
   • Why is it important for me to do it?
     
   Lastly, safety week information on CentraCare's Web site will include a link to a patient safety quiz. Participants will have a chance to win a patient safety book.
   
   
2. St. Paul-based HealthEast Care System created "Scavenger Hunt for Safety" rooms, to be on display all week at all four HealthEast hospitals. All employees will be invited to stop by and see if they can spot the planted potential patient safety risks, such as:
   • a call light that is not in reach;
   • bloody dressing left out in the open;
   • prohibited abbreviations in the patient's chart; and
   • medication left on a bedside table.
     
   Also, HealthEast Patient Safety Lead Catherine Hinz, HealthEast Chief Medical Quality Officer Craig Svendsen, M.D., and the medical director from St. John's Hospital, John Kvasnicka, M.D., were guests this month on the Emmy-nominated "Inside Health Care." The public affairs show is carried on 11 Twin Cities cable television stations.
   
   The show interviews all focused on patient safety. Specifically, for example, Kvasnicka talked about what St. John's is doing to prevent falls and pressure ulcers. Both Svendsen and Kvasnicka gave advice on what patients should do before their next hospital visit to keep themselves safe. And Hinz discussed HealthEast's safety week activities.
   
   Finally, at each of the hospitals' cafeterias and at the system's corporate office, HealthEast staff members will explain how they use a communication method called "Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation" (SBAR) to enhance communication among care team members. SBAR is used in health care as a standardized way to share information, especially between nurses and physicians. The method ensures that key elements of a patient's care are discussed and all who are communicating are clear on any care that needs to be provided.
   
   Under SBAR, for example, caregivers ending their work shift summarize for the next caregivers the patient's condition and what they recommend the patient needs going forward. Ensuring good communication during such "hand-offs" is important to preventing adverse health events.
   
   A 6-foot banner, inflatable palm trees, beach balls, summer music, and beach umbrellas will be part of the SBAR promotion next week. The event will include free snacks and soda. Each beverage, like the "Situation Spritzer" or the "Assessment-tini" will be labeled with a description of SBAR. Staff members will receive a handout outlining the communication method.
   
   The public will be invited to participate as well. Materials encourage patients, families and visitors to "speak up" when it comes to their health care. HealthEast will provide beverages and will distribute handouts on the "Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Clinician" as well as "5 Tips for Safer Healthcare."
   
   
3. In observance of patient safety week's theme this year of "Let's Talk! Healthy Conversations for Safer Healthcare," Madelia Community Hospital (MCH) placed an advertisement in the Madelia Times Messenger spotlighting that the hospital has earned three Minnesota Hospital Association patient safety awards. Those awards are given to hospitals that reach at least 90 percent of best practices to prevent specific adverse health events.
   
   Also, MCH created a display in the hospital's lobby featuring educational materials promoting patient safety, improving health care quality and strengthening alliances between patients, families and their health care providers.
   
   In an effort to increase traffic to the table, MCH will give away a door prize of a massage. The hospital's Web site also has patient safety information and links for patients and their family members.
   
   Lastly, Madelia Community hospital staff will be sent daily patient safety information. Organizers will also create a "safety" puzzle, and those that finish will be entered into a drawing.
   
   
4. Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar recently held its annual safety fair to showcase the work staff members are doing to enhance safety and quality of care. Nearly 20 initiatives were on display, ranging from allergy documentation to streamlining the operation of the hospital's laboratory, a Feb. 26 West Central Tribune story said.
   
   "Poster boards, photos and charts helped illustrate each project. Some teams, such as the committee working on the safe collection of hazardous waste, even brought their own props," the article said. Read the article here (free registration required to view article).
   
   Hospitals not mentioned above that host patient safety week activities are encouraged to send such details to Martha Parsons, MHA communication specialist/writer, at (651) 603-3495.

For more information about patient safety week, visit www.npsf.org/hp/psaw/ or contact Tania Daniels, MHA vice president of patient safety, at (651) 603-3517 or Julie Apold, MHA director of patient safety, at (651) 603-3538.

Adverse health events decrease slightly in 2009, report shows : Jan 15, 2010

Progress made in preventing falls, other types of events

The number of adverse health events in Minnesota hospitals decreased slightly in the last year, indicating progress has been made in addressing some of the most common system breakdowns that lead to such events.

The Minnesota Department of Health's sixth-annual adverse health event report, released Thursday, showed a 3.5 percent reduction in events -- from 312 in the last reporting year to 301.

Patient falls resulting in serious disability or death decreased 20 percent in the reporting period, from October 2008 to October 2009. And no patients died as a result of a fall. In fact, the overall number of AHE-related deaths decreased to four, down from 18.

The report shows that Minnesota hospitals are continuing to make strides in patient safety, said Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) President and Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Massa.

"Hospitals' efforts to prevent adverse events are clearly reaping rewards," Massa said. "But we have more work to do, and Minnesota hospitals will not let down their guard."

The study identifies instances at hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers where any of 28 types of adverse events occurred.

Minnesota hospitals were the first in the nation to champion a reporting law that called for such transparency. And Minnesota hospitals continue to lead the nation by collaborating to prevent the top four most-reported types of events: pressure ulcers, wrong-site surgeries, retained foreign objects and falls.

For example, more than 100 hospitals are participating in MHA's five patient safety Calls to Action campaigns that provide hospitals with a roadmap for implementing clinical best practices for prevention.

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Sanne Magnan has at least partly attributed this year's 20-percent decrease in falls to MHA's SAFE from FALLS campaign. More than 100 hospitals are taking part in that initiative.

When the FALLS campaign began in 2007, the average hospital had implemented fewer than 60 percent of recommended best practices. Today, that figure is greater than 90 percent. And for some of its steps, such as establishing a system to alert staff about patient risk, the implementation rate is nearly 100 percent.

Overall, anecdotal examples show that hospitals are also using creative methods to combat adverse health events. During a recent remodel, for instance, St. Michael's Hospital in Sauk Centre posted ceiling signs reminding patients to "call not fall" when they need to get up. In addition, many facilities have installed lower beds. And some now use bedside floor mats for at-risk patients to reduce injury if those patients do fall.

Statewide, hospitals are also implementing strict criteria for monitoring patients that fall to make sure that they have not sustained a head injury. Head injuries are not always detectable immediately after a fall, and patients' conditions can deteriorate quickly.

Hospitals and surgical centers across Minnesota are very committed to preventing adverse health events, said Diane Rydrych, assistant director of the MDH Division of Health Policy.

"While we may never be able to eliminate every adverse event, many people are working very hard to learn from past events and make future events as rare as possible," she said in an MDH news release.

For more information about MHA's patient safety efforts, visit the MHA patient safety area of this site or contact Tania Daniels, MHA vice president of patient safety, at (651) 603-3517 or Julie Apold, MHA director of patient safety, at (651) 603-3538.

View the MDH report here: [PDF].

MHA publishes report on the future of health care in Minnesota : Jan 08, 2010

"Trend Points" includes member survey results on predictions

This fall the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) published a report examining what the future might hold for health care in Minnesota. The 57-page "Trend Points" was sent to members last month.

Written by Lake Oswego, Ore.-based health care consultant Larry Walker, the study includes MHA members' ratings on the likelihood of various predictions for health care in Minnesota by 2012. In addition, MHA surveyed members in June/July 2009 about what they think the future might hold for health care in Minnesota during the next five years. Many agreed that, for example:

• federal and state health regulation will increase with health care reform;
• reform will only be successful by addressing the underlying issues of health care costs and delivery;
• reimbursement will not improve as a percentage of cost; and
• work-force shortages will be an increasing challenge for hospitals due to new requirements and increasing demands for care.

Trend Points also includes June 2009 statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation's statehealthfacts.org on Minnesota's:

• demographics;
• economy;
• health status;
• health costs and budgets;
• health coverage and the uninsured;
• Medicare;
• Medicaid; and
• providers and service use.

Access the document here: [PDF].

Minnesota hospitals' applications now being accepted for summer internship program : Mar 05, 2010

Deadline is April 19

Minnesota hospitals' applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Summer Health Care Intern Program (SHCIP). The deadline to apply online is April 19.

Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) member CEOs and human resource directors are encouraged to participate on behalf of qualified students in their communities. Every year, more than 100 health care organizations across the state participate.

The initiative provides an opportunity for health care employers to become more involved in their communities at the same time that the interns gain health care work experience.

Up to half of an intern's wages are reimbursed through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health's Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. The hospital association administers the grant on behalf of an advisory group composed of hospitals, nursing facilities and home health representatives.

Apply here. Updated program information will continue to be available on the SHCIP Web page of this site.

For more information contact Sarah Bohnet, MHA's coordinator of the program, at (800) 462-5393 or (651) 603-3494.

MHA begins "tweeting" : Mar 05, 2010

Twitter used to help tell legislative, other news

The Minnesota Hospital Association on Tuesday began using Twitter.

So far, the association has invited MHA staff members, Minnesota legislators, Minnesota hospital communicators and Minnesota hospital government relations officers to follow MHA's updates on the social networking site. Readers can view MHA's current "tweets" at the association's Twitter page, http://twitter.com/mnhospitals.

MHA names new director of data, financial policy : Feb 19, 2010

Jonathan Peters began his new role this week

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) this week named Jonathan Peters its new director of data and financial policy.

Peters has been with the association for four years, serving as a financial analyst. In that role, Peters audited hospital annual reports associated with the Health Care Cost Information System (HCCIS) requirements.

In his new position, which Peters began immediately, he will manage the HCCIS contract MHA has with the Minnesota Department of Health. He will also manage other annual data collection efforts, such as the American Hospital Association survey, the chief executive officer/chief financial officer/chief nursing executive survey and community benefits reporting.

"Jonathan has shown tremendous work effort and dedication supporting MHA's data collection efforts," said MHA Vice President of Finance Joseph Schindler, who served as MHA senior director of data and finance policy before recently being promoted.

MHA issues call for entries for 2010 awards program : Feb 05, 2010

SAFE ACCOUNT added to patient safety awards; all entries due March 19

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) is seeking nominations for its 25-annual awards program that celebrates outstanding work by Minnesota hospitals and health systems.

Entries are due Friday, March 19; find the entry form here: [PDF].

The "Patient Safety Improvement: Calls to Action" category now includes MHA's SAFE ACCOUNT Call to Action campaign. That initiative works to prevent retained for object adverse health events.

Other MHA award categories recognize excellence involving community health, work force issues, patient care and career promotion, for example. Honors for individuals recognize trustees, volunteers, hospital executives, caregivers and public officials.

MHA will notify all entrants whether they have won in mid-April. A reception and dinner for winners will take place Friday, May 14 at the Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park.

For more information, contact Jan Hennings, MHA communications director, at (651) 603-3549 or Sarah Bohnet, MHA communications and work force divisions assistant, at (651) 603-3494.

MHA adopts new three-year strategic plan : Jan 04, 2010

Guide positions Minnesota hospitals to be leaders in enhancing value in health care delivery, payment

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) board recently adopted a new three-year strategic plan with several new initiatives and directions for the association.

The document, which the MHA Board of Directors will revisit at least annually, helps the association thoughtfully evaluate and pursue its goals and priorities based on the needs of the members and their patients, said MHA President and CEO Lawrence Massa.

"The dynamic changes we're experiencing today in our economy, in the health care industry and in the political climate increase the need for strong advocacy and a united voice from our members," he said, "and the strategic plan is the guide we will use to proactively shape the policies that support our members’ ability to accomplish their community-service missions."

Find the document here: [PDF].

Association leaders and board members had been developing the plan since last summer. Key topics covered include, for instance:

• health care reform and MHA's role in developing and advocating for new care delivery models and payment methodologies;
• the association's efforts to build and support two national coalitions dedicated to revising Medicare reimbursement policies to reward value over volume;
• continuing MHA's long-standing pursuit of affordable health insurance for all Minnesota residents; and
• the urgent need for MHA to advocate for restoring coverage for residents in Minnesota's General Assistance Medical Care program in light of the pending elimination of the program's state funding.

One of the new endeavors from the plan calls for a new physician leadership council within MHA. Recognizing the importance of engaging physicians who work for MHA members in the association's policy development and activities, the MHA board authorized the creation of the new council.

The strategic plan also calls for ambitious new initiatives aimed at helping reduce the overall growth in health care spending and defining the appropriate measure of "value" in health care. "In the past, our association was more focused on levels of reimbursement than on cost reduction," said Massa, "and this plan recognizes that our members' success will increasingly depend upon our community's collective ability to control cost."

Massa also acknowledged that "defining 'value' in health care might seem like a pipe dream to others around the country but felt confident that it was the right direction for MHA to pursue because "the incentives that will drive quality improvement, affordable access, and lower costs will become more powerful when providers are rewarded for the value of services they deliver rather than volume of services they deliver."

The 2010-2013 MHA Strategic Plan is bold and flexible, Massa said.

"We've got our work cut out for us, but Minnesota's hospitals and health systems continue to be among the best positioned in the nation to show the way to positive change in health care," he said.

For more information, contact Massa at (651) 659-1433.

Grants available for creation of mobile community clinics in rural Minnesota : Feb 26, 2010

Letters of intent due March 15

Minnesota hospitals or health systems interested in creating mobile clinics to serve low-income patients in rural Minnesota may be eligible for new foundation grants.

The Healthier Minnesota Community Clinic Fund is accepting applications for its $4 million Expanding Rural Access Initiative. The St. Paul-based foundation works to improve the quality of care for low-income people, communities of color and the medically underserved.

Grant programs must provide primary care physical, mental or dental services to people living in federally designated medically underserved rural areas in Minnesota.

The required letters of intent are due by 5 p.m. March 15. Full proposals are due by 5 p.m. July 1.

Find the call for proposals and additional information here.

Senate passes jobs bill that would extend funding for COBRA, FMAP : Mar 12, 2010

Klobuchar, Franken have supported measure

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed a jobs bill that includes several critical provisions that would benefit hospitals.

The American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (H.R. 4213) was approved 62-36. It will go to the House for consideration next.

The bill would extend, through Dec. 31, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's (ARRA's) benefit subsidy of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). COBRA gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits under certain conditions.

The bill also would extend for six months the temporary increase in states' Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). FMAP is the share of Medicaid expenditures the federal government pays. Without an extension, the FMAP funding is set to expire Dec. 31.

Minnesota Democratic Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar have formally supported the FMAP funding extension.

The legislation passed by the Senate Wednesday also would:

• delay until Sept. 30 a 21-percent Medicare payment cut for physicians;
• extend several rural health programs through 2010; and
• ensure that physicians who practice in hospital-owned outpatient centers and clinics
• qualify for the stimulus act's health information technology incentives.

For more information contact Ann Gibson, MHA federal relations director, at (651) 603-3527.

Entire Minnesota federal delegation urges CMS to improve HIT meaningful use regulation : Mar 12, 2010

Klobuchar leads the Senate letter effort

The entire Minnesota delegation this week demonstrated strong support for modifying the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed requirements for hospitals to become qualified as "meaningful users" of electronic health records (EHR).

In December, CMS issued proposed regulations that hospitals will have to meet in order to be deemed "meaningful users" of EHR and thus qualify for stimulus dollars from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. While EHR adoption is voluntary, hospitals that do not become "meaningful users" will see reductions in their Medicare payments beginning in fiscal year 2015.

The House and Senate letters outlined key changes that are sought in the rule, including:

• a practical and staged approached to the number of criteria required to be recognized as a "meaningful user;"
• an extension of transition implementation deadlines;
• elimination of the exclusion of physicians practicing in outpatient centers and clinics from receiving EHR incentive payments;
• allowing health care systems that have multiple hospital sites but a single Medicare provider identification number to be eligible to separately qualify for incentive funds -- the provider identification numbers are used in billing;
• allowing critical-access hospitals to be eligible to receive Medicaid program incentive payments.

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) thanks Minnesota Reps. Michele Bachmann (R), Keith Ellison (D), John Kline (R), Betty McCollum (D), Erik Paulsen (R), James Oberstar (D), Collin Peterson (D), Tim Walz (D), as well as Sens. Al Franken (D) and Amy Klobuchar (D), for their support and leadership on these important congressional letters.

CMS is accepting comments on the rule until March 15. MHA is preparing a separate comment letter on behalf of members.

For more information on federal advocacy efforts, contact Ann Gibson, MHA federal relations director, at (651) 603-3527. For questions about the HIT regulations, contact Mark Sonneborn, MHA vice president of information services, at (651) 659-1423.

Entire Minnesota federal delegation supports effort to reverse new physician supervision requirements : Feb 26, 2010

Franken, Klobuchar lead effort

The entire Minnesota congressional delegation this week demonstrated strong support for one of the Minnesota Hospital Association's top federal advocacy priorities - opposing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) new interpretations of physician supervision requirements for outpatient services.

In a letter drafted by the association, the 10 lawmakers urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to "rescind the new interpretations and attempts to clarify physician supervision requirements that were contained in the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) final rule for calendar year 2010, as well as any retrospective enforcement of those interpretations."

The association thanks Sens. Al Franken (D) and Amy Klobuchar (D) and Reps. Michele Bachmann (R), Keith Ellison (D), John Kline (R) Betty McCollum (D), Erik Paulsen (R), Collin Peterson (D), James Oberstar (D) and Tim Walz (D).

The American Hospital Association (AHA) has been meeting with CMS officials about the issue, and AHA is considering a legislative response to address it. The AHA, MHA and other state hospital associations have been coordinating their efforts and will continue to strongly advocate for a favorable resolution, said Lawrence Massa, MHA president and chief executive officer.

"This new interpretation by CMS is creating a lot of serious problems for hospitals without resulting in any improvement in the quality of care for patients," Massa said. "Unless CMS changes course or Congress takes quick action, this policy is going to drive up health care costs, decrease access to care in rural communities and exacerbate the physician shortage that already strains so many hospitals in Minnesota."

CMS' policy mandates that a physician or a certain type of non-physician practitioner must be present at all times during numerous types of outpatient services, including observation services or observation stays. This requirement directly conflicts with longstanding conditions of participation for critical-access hospitals (CAHs) in the Medicare program. Also, the new policy is already causing significant financial pressure and concern for hospitals across Minnesota and throughout the country.

The letter states, "CMS imposed these new mandates without any identified clinical need or discernment between the few medically complex services that naturally require more hands-on participation by a physician and the numerous routine, low-risk procedures that have been performed safely for decades by trained health care professionals working under a physician's general supervision and direction if not always in his/her physical presence."

The letter can be found here: [PDF].

For more information contact Matt Anderson, MHA vice president of regulatory and strategic affairs, or Ann Gibson, MHA director of federal relations.

Sens. Franken, Klobuchar urge Congress to extend FMAP increase : Feb 26, 2010

Forty-four senators call for six-month extension

Minnesota Democratic Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar this week joined 42 other senators in urging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to extend the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase.

The FMAP is the share of total Medicaid expenditures the federal government pays. The FMAP was increased under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but that increase is set to expire with the end of 2010.

"We urge you to include a six-month extension of the FMAP provision in the upcoming legislation to extend unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits," a letter from the senators to Reid said. "This short-term extension will help states as they continue to grapple with this recession and protect against state budget actions in 2010 that would further weaken the economy and result in significant jobs losses."

For more information contact Ann Gibson, MHA federal relations director at (651) 603-3527.

Quality Coalition runs ad to encourage Congress to pass health care reforms : Feb 26, 2010

MHA participates in ad in Roll Call magazine

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) participated with the Quality Coalition in an ad [PDF] to encourage Congress to pass reforms that provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

The ad ran Thursday in Roll Call magazine, to coincide with President Obama's federal health care reform summit, which was broadcast live on television.

The advertisement re-emphasized MHA's support for health reform that includes incentives for the highest quality health care delivered at the most reasonable cost.

The Quality Coalition is a group of health care organizations, including hospitals, that seek to persuade Congress to support health reform that rewards high value.

Roll Call covers Capitol Hill news.

AHA advisory explains confidentiality issues related to interviewing patients for upcoming census : Jan 29, 2010

Minnesota hospitals urged to help promote wide census participation

The American Hospital Association (AHA) issued a regulatory advisory Monday about interviewing patients who live in health care facilities for the 2010 U.S. census: [PDF].

In February, U.S. Census Bureau workers will contact health care facilities to ensure that some people living in certain hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and inpatient hospice facilities are accounted for appropriately in the census. While the majority of patients will not be subject to census taking, hospitals and other health care facilities will be required to work with the Census Bureau to determine which individuals should be interviewed.

The advisory describes the 2010 census process. It also provides an overview of pertinent patient confidentiality issues. In particular, the advisory explains that confidentiality requirements sometimes protect more than an individual's health information - they can also protect the fact that an individual is even receiving treatment. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy regulations and certain federal confidentiality requirements for patients receiving treatment in federally assisted alcohol and drug abuse programs are examples of such protections.

It is especially important for all Minnesotans to be counted in this year's census because Minnesota is among four states hoping to retain a seat in the U.S. House after the census is complete. The census will be mailed to residents in March and is due back to the government April 1, though the deadline is not absolute. As was explained in a Jan. 2 Star Tribune editorial, the census' timing may pose a particular challenge for Minnesota snowbirds, as census forms are not forwarded by the postal service. Many Minnesotans who winter elsewhere do not return to Minnesota until later than April.

Soon, the State Demographic Center will establish a help line to assist Minnesotans who know they won't be able to meet the April 1 due date. Watch for that number at www.demography.state.mn.us.

Hospitals are urged to help promote census participation among patients, employees, volunteers, physicians and community members. This link provides a tool kit of resources for doing that.

For further information about the AHA regulatory advisory, contact Elizabeth Baskett, AHA associate director of policy, at (202) 626-2294.

One Minnesota hospital reports receiving first RAC letter : Feb 26, 2010

Number of records requested is much lower than expected, at around a dozen

A Minnesota hospital told the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) this week that the Medicare recovery audit contractor (RAC) for Minnesota asked the hospital to provide medical records for the auditor's review. And two other Minnesota hospitals have also reportedly received such notices.

The federal RAC program is designed to identify and reconcile any overpayments or underpayments Medicare made to health care organizations by reviewing hospitals' records.

Thus far, the number of records being requested of Minnesota hospitals is much lower than expected, at around a dozen each. However, the low number does not mean the auditor will not request larger amounts of records from other hospitals in the future, said Joe Schindler, MHA vice president of finance.

The auditing company for Minnesota's region is CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc. of Fairfax, Va. Read more about the issue here or contact Schindler at (651) 659-1415.

Fairview names new president of Northland, Maple Grove Medical Center : Feb 26, 2010

John Herman has spent much of his career at Park Nicollet

A former Park Nicollet Health Services leader has been named the new president of Fairview Northland Medical Center in Princeton and Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center.

John Herman will begin his duties March 1, Fairview Health Services announced in a Feb. 3 news release.

Herman has nearly 30 years of experience in health care, including in executive management, strategic planning and service development, the release said. He spent much of his career with Park Nicollet and was instrumental in its formation following the merger of Park Nicollet Clinic and Methodist Health Care of Minnesota.

"Herman was key in the creation of Park Nicollet's Centers of Excellence, including its Heart and Vascular Center, Cancer Center and Eating Disorders Unit," the release said. Most recently, he was executive vice president in the health care division of real estate developer Welsh Companies.

Herman earned a master's degree in health care administration from the University of Minnesota. He earned his undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield.

Sanford Hospital Luverne appoints new CEO : Feb 19, 2010

Tammy Loosbrock is chief operating officer

Sanford Hospital Luverne Chief Operating Officer Tammy Loosbrock will assume the role of chief executive officer March 24, the organization announced Tuesday. She will replace Mark Henke.

Loosbrock started at Sanford Hospital Luverne, formerly Luverne Community Hospital, as a physical therapist in 1996. She later managed the rehabilitation services department, served as ancillary services director and was named chief operating officer in 2007.

Originally from the Adrian area, Loosbrock earned a bachelor's from St. Catherine University in St. Paul; a master's in business administration at the University of Sioux Falls; and a doctorate in physical therapy at St. Catherine University.

Minnesota health care home payment calculation method announced : Mar 05, 2010

New payments to certified providers to begin July 1; Public meeting about methodology set for March 12

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released the initial methodology the state will use to calculate payments to certified health care home care coordinators.

The payments will be issued beginning July 1.

The payments will be made on a per-member/per-month basis, and they will vary based on the number of "major condition groups" (MCGs) that a patient has, whether the patient's primary language is not English and whether the patient has a serious and persistent mental illness. MCGs are a new categorization of chronic conditions, and they cover limited-to-severe conditions that require a care team for optimal management.

The fees apply for care coordination services provided to patients who participate in a certified health care home and who are enrolled in a state public health care program, such as MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance. Care coordination payments from private health plans will be negotiated privately with providers.

No coordination payments will be issued for patients who aren't considered to have a major condition group. That subset of patients represents approximately 73 percent of state public program enrollees in managed care plans and 50 percent of those who receive fee-for-service coverage.

For a patient with up to three MCGs, DHS will reimburse the patient's certified health care home $10.14 per month, in addition to the provider's reimbursements for other services. The fees are graduated; the more major condition groups a patient has, the more money the patient's health care home coordinator will receive. For example, a health care home serving a patient with 10 or more MCGs will receive $60.81 per month. About 4 percent of state public program enrollees in managed care plans have at least 10 MCGs.

Payments will be 15 percent higher for such services provided to patients who speak a primary language other than English or for patients who have a serious and persistent mental illness.

DHS and MDH will host a public meeting to review the payment methodology and respond to related comments from 2-4 p.m. Friday, March 12 at MDH's Snelling Office Park location in St. Paul. More information about the meeting and the care coordination fee structure, including a new tool for determining how to attribute MCGs to a patient, are available here.

For other information related to health care homes, contact Matt Anderson, MHA vice president of regulatory and strategic affairs, at (651) 659-1421.

Hospital representatives testify at Legislature about Pawlenty's proposed budget : Feb 26, 2010

MHA president and CEO explains the effect of governor's budget on hospitals

Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) President and Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Massa gave testimony this week before the Senate and Human Services Budget Division regarding MHA's position on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed supplemental budget [PDF]. He also spoke about the importance of reinstating the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program.

Massa's testimony reiterated that "automatically" and temporarily enrolling GAMC recipients into MinnesotaCare would mean less access to appropriate health care for low-income residents who are already struggling to make ends meet. He also pointed out that this action would mean significant increases in uncompensated care, on top of the cuts recommended by the governor in his supplemental budget.

Massa's testimony covered detailed information on what would happen to hospitals if the Legislature eliminates coverage for childless adults making more than 75 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. He also provided detailed analysis on how hospitals would be affected if:

• Medicaid rebasing is delayed;
• Medicaid and MinnesotaCare inpatient payment rates are reduced;
• rural diagnosis-related groups add-on payments are eliminated;
• Medical Education and Research Costs funds are cut; and
• disproportionate share hospital payments are eliminated.

Specifically, Massa told lawmakers that the governor's proposed budget cuts would give hospitals limited options, involving additional:

• job losses;
• reductions in hospital services; and
• cost shifting to private payers, if doing so is possible.

Other testifiers who represented hospitals were:

• Gordon Alexander, president of University of Minnesota, Fairview, Minneapolis;
• Heidi Conrad, vice president and CFO of Regions Hospital, St. Paul;
• Scott Leitz, director of child health policy and advocacy, Children's Hospitals and Clinics, Minneapolis/St. Paul; and
• Dr. Michael Belzer, medical director of Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis.

In the House, the Health Care and Human Services Finance Division began taking testimony on the governor's proposed supplemental budget Thursday. Kathy Knight, vice president of behavioral services at University of Minnesota, Fairview, gave testimony. Massa will do so next Tuesday, when testimony before the House committee resumes.

Track bills moving through Legislature with this MHA tool : Feb 26, 2010

Chart on Web site keeps members up-to-date on health care proposals

To track health care-related bills moving through the Minnesota Legislature, visit the state advocacy section of this site.

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) chart reflects both House and Senate measures that would affect hospitals. Bill numbers, authors and the intended purpose of each proposal are included. In addition, MHA's position on each measure is listed.

Information will be updated periodically during the session.

For more information contact Susan Stout, MHA director of state government relations, at (651) 603-3526.

Governor Pawlenty's proposed budget will unravel the state's health care safety net : Feb 16, 2010

See MHA's official statement: [PDF]

MDH to host monthly conference calls/Webinars on health care home certification : Jan 22, 2010

Sessions to take place third Wednesday of each month

The Minnesota Department of Health will host monthly conference calls/Webinars throughout 2010 aimed at showing health care providers how to become certified as health care homes.

The first such event took place Wednesday and focused on how to use the certification assessment tool. The sessions will occur the third Wednesday of every month.

Applicants and potential applicants will be able to call in with questions. At the beginning of each call, MDH's health care home team or others will provide a brief update on health care home implementation and next steps. A brief presentation on a certification-related theme will follow - each month will focus on a different theme.

Registration is not required for the phone call, but a maximum of 50 callers may participate. The conference call number is: (877) 952-2089. When prompted, callers should enter the participant code 5411585.

Registration is required for the Webinars. Visit this site for instructions and other related information. Alternatively, contact MDH staff members at this e-mail address for answers to questions related to the issue.

MDH issues report on health care homes
In related news, the MDH this week issued a report titled "Health Care Homes: Annual Report on Implementation." It is available here: [PDF].

Minnesota, North Dakota to create regional center for health IT : Feb 19, 2010

Proposal among 32 nationwide to receive some of $750 million in federal Recovery Act funds

Minnesota and North Dakota will receive part of $750 million in federal Recovery Act funds to establish a regional health information technology center, federal officials said Tuesday.

The Key Health Alliance REACH program will receive a $19 million grant as one of 32 such centers nationwide. Key Health Alliance (KHA) is a Minnesota-based partnership of Stratis Health, the Rural Health Resource Center and the College of St. Scholastica. North Dakota Health Care Review Inc. and the University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health are working with KHA to build a program across both states.

The awards are designed to help make health IT available to hospitals and primary care physicians and to train people for careers in health care and information technology.

The stimulus funds will help KHA bring resources to communities and providers who have lagged behind in adoption because of their size, finances or other limitations, said Jennifer Lundblad, KHA principal and Stratis Health president and chief executive officer. They will also help providers who have already implemented an electronic health record but need assistance to maximize it.

MDH issues templates for H1H1 vaccination print ads, public service announcements : Mar 12, 2010

Though the second wave of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic has ended and public concern about the illness has clearly waned, the nation is continuing to see sporadic cases of the virus, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) said Monday. Therefore, vaccination efforts continue.

Specifically, MDH issued a notice telling communication professionals at public health agencies, hospitals and other health care organizations where they can find:

• a customizable template for a print advertisement promoting H1N1 vaccination, in multiple graphic formats; and
• script templates for two radio public service announcements (PSAs) on H1N1 vaccination, which can be localized.

The online resources are available at MDH's WorkSpace site here. Users must obtain a password from MDH to participate on the secure site. The Web portal provides access to information technology tools, messaging capabilities and sensitive document posting. It was created by MDH for planning and managing emergencies, disease outbreaks and other significant public health events.

Training on how to use the tool is available on the site.

The PSAs will soon be available in multiple languages on the Minnesota ECHO Web site.

MHA: Minnesota hospitals' 2008 community contributions totaled $3.2 billion, a 10-percent increase over previous year : Mar 12, 2010

Study highlights programs by Park Nicollet Health Services, Redwood Area Hospital, Regions Hospital, St. James Medical Center

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) posted a report online Thursday on Minnesota hospitals' efforts to expand research, train tomorrow's caregivers, cover the uninsured and care for those without means.

Those and other types of uncompensated "community benefits" were worth an estimated $3.2 billion in 2008 -- a 10-percent increase over the previous year, MHA's fourth such community benefit study said. Download the report here.

Though it is 2010, the 2009 study covers community benefit contributions made in 2008 -- the most recent year for which data is available.

The document also chronicles the diversity of such programs through features on initiatives by St. Louis Park-based Park Nicollet Health Services, Redwood Area Hospital, St. Paul-based Regions Hospital and St. James Medical Center. Those programs involved teaching elderly residents how to prevent falls; teaching kids how to avoid injuries on farms; providing medication assistance to low-income residents with behavioral health problems; and encouraging residents to exercise and eat right.

Following is MHA President and Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Massa's letter to readers in the report:

"In 2008, when the state and nation were already intensely debating how or whether to reform our country's health care system, Minnesota hospitals continued to go about their daily work of caring for us when we were ill and injured.

"Minnesota hospitals also continued their often unheralded but perhaps equally important efforts to better their communities through countless programs and events. Though uncompensated for such initiatives, that work has proven to improve the well-being of Minnesotans across the state.

"This report documents such "community benefit" programs. In it, find details about hospitals' efforts to expand research, train tomorrow's caregivers, cover the uninsured and care for those without means. In 2008, Minnesota hospitals provided $3.2 billion in such community benefits -- this is a 10-percent increase over the previous year.
"Though it is now 2010, this 2009 report covers community benefit contributions made in 2008 -- the most recent year for which data is available.

"Following are the community benefit categories:

"Uncompensated care -- $476.2 million
Minnesota hospitals provided $476.2 million to patients who didn't have health insurance or the means to pay for their care.

"Services responding to specific community needs -- $110.1 million
Health screenings, immunization clinics, subsidized health services and other community outreach programs fall under this category, which totaled $110.1 million in 2008.

"Education and work-force development -- $221.4 million
Minnesota hospitals help train doctors, nurses and myriad other highly skilled health care professionals. In 2008, those efforts cost hospitals a combined $221.4 million.

"Research -- $171.8 million
Because of the research done at Minnesota hospitals, new treatments and cures for diseases are constantly being developed. Hospitals spent $171.8 million on such efforts in 2008.

"Government underfunding -- $1.6 billion
When hospitals treat patients on Medicare or Medicaid, hospitals lose money. That's because those federal government health care programs do not reimburse hospitals the full amount it costs the hospitals to provide the care. In 2008, such government underfunding to Minnesota hospitals exceeded $1.6 billion, or nearly 9 percent of the hospitals' operating expenses."

Mayo's "Celebration of Research" introduces students to biomedical research careers : Feb 26, 2010

High schoolers from across state attend event

Article courtesy of Mayo Clinic. To view event photos and related posts, visit this blog.

by Matt Sluzinski
Public Affairs, Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic hosted more than 200 high school students and teachers in February 2009 for the organization's 12th biennial "Celebration of Research," a conference that focuses on introducing students to careers in biomedical research.

The theme for this year's event - "Immunity: The Secrets of Survival World Tour 2009" - was developed by Eugene Kwon, M.D., the event's keynote speaker. Dr. Kwon, a Mayo urologist and co-director of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center's Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, is an avid Pink Floyd fan and wanted the event to have the feel of a rock concert. For example, students, teachers and event staff received "backstage pass" badges in place of traditional nametags.

Dr. Kwon's presentation to the students focused on immunity. Specifically, it highlighted how the human immune system works to fight infectious diseases and how Mayo researchers are developing innovative ways to trick the immune system into attacking cancer. He also discussed how vaccines provide immunity that protects humans from conditions like smallpox, polio and tetanus.

Following Dr. Kwon's keynote address, students set out across the Rochester campus to visit research labs and participate in hands-on tours and activities. This year, 25 research laboratories participated in the event and students each visited three different labs throughout the day.

Over lunch, students heard presentations from Cherisse Kellen, a Ph.D. student in the Mayo Graduate School; Darren Baker, Ph.D., a senior research technologist; and Bruce Horazdovsky, Ph.D., associate dean for student affairs in the Mayo Graduate School. Each shared their individual career paths with the students and discussed the myriad opportunities that Mayo offers for both graduate education and research careers.

Celebration of Research organizers hoped to showcase to students the breadth of research that's conducted at Mayo and the variety of career pathways one can take in basic science as well as clinical research.

In attendance were high school students from these cities: Adams, Albert Lea, Austin, Dover, Elgin, Eyota, Faribault, Harmony, Kasson, Kenyon, Lyle, Mantorville, Mazeppa, Millville, Northfield, Owatonna, Peterson, Plainview, Rochester, Rushford, Spring Valley, St. Charles, Stewartville, Wanamingo, Winona and Zumbrota.

The next Celebration of Research is scheduled for 2011.

Minnesota hospitals lend hand to Haiti : Jan 29, 2010

Medical professionals, medical supplies, money make their way south as part of earthquake relief efforts

Editor's Note: This article incorporates information from Minnesota Hospital Association members regarding their organizations' relief efforts in Haiti. Members whose organizations have contributed aid but are not mentioned here are encouraged to convey details to Martha Parsons, MHA communication specialist/writer, at (651) 603-3495.

Minnesota hospitals are donating money and desperately needed medical supplies to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, even as medical volunteers work to treat the disaster's countless victims.

Some Minnesota hospital employees had regularly been volunteering in Haiti even before the 7.0 quake leveled Port-au-Prince Jan. 12. Others are organizing trips to the Caribbean nation for the first time.

Authorities say the death toll, at 150,000, could double. An estimated 3 million people need assistance of one kind or another.

Every minute, the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) learns of new contributions Minnesota hospitals and affiliated professionals are making to try to help repair shattered lives and limbs.

"No doubt about it - Minnesota's hospital community is taking the initiative to come to the aid of our Haitian neighbors," said MHA President and Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Massa. "Hospitals are grateful their contributions can make a difference during this immeasurable tragedy."

Below are examples of projects the hospitals or associated caregivers are undertaking. For details, such as photos and first-hand blogs by Minnesota doctors and administrators in Haiti, visit the links provided, or contact the hospitals directly.

Sanford Health-MeritCare
This blog by Rich Adcock, executive vice president of Sanford Clinic in Sioux Falls, S.D., provides a sampling of what readers might find through those links. Sanford Health-MeritCare owns and manages hospitals in Minnesota:

"Day 6, 01/25/2010 7:06 PM [excerpted]: Based on various conversations throughout this trip with the team, it is safe to say this trip has been life changing for all the team members.

Truly this came together so fast it was a blur. For the Sioux Falls and Fargo executive management and many clinical teams that assisted in the pre-departure deployment planning session last Monday- Tuesday I personally appreciate your input. You will never fully know how well that process prepared me personally. I drew on our conversations as situations came at us rapidly. As you all know, our mission key word was "fluid", and fluid we were.

This mission has been a huge success. On a human level I'm proud that we were able to deliver amazing care to many in dire need. The complexity of the situation is hard to express in words, but I can confidently say we made a huge difference.

Children of the Nations Clinic COTNI asked us to write down in 5 words or less our experience. Mine were "Overwhelming, Exhilarating, Joyful & Devastating." On a professional level, the administrator in me was pushed and tested beyond what I knew and would have believed to be possible. Control is an illusion, but lack of control doesn't relieve you of responsibility. ...

A humbling experience is an understatement. I'm sure in our minds eye we will all carry many pictures, good and bad from this trip. Some we will talk about, some we won't.
Over and Out!

- Sanford Health [-MeritCare] Haiti Relief Team

The team from Sanford Health-MeritCare returned to the United States Tuesday after nearly a week in the region. They worked at a hospital just across the Haitian border and also traveled into Haiti to get patients.

Allina Hospitals & Clinics of Minneapolis has sent medical and surgical supplies via the American Refugee Committee.

Four staff members from Austin Medical Center - Mayo Health System were in Haiti this week with the Haitian Caribbean American Organization of Texas (www.HACAOT.com). The AMC staffers are: Mary Fargen, Adams Clinic; Steve Weis, emergency department; Vickie Berthiaume, clinic nursing, and Vijay Chawla, M.D., pediatrics. Fargen has worked in Haiti on 10 prior trips, and Weis and Berthiaume have each been there four times.

Chief Administrative Officer Adam Rees shared this information with staffers:

"I just received a call from Mary Fargen, who is in Haiti along with three other AMC staff, and she said everyone's prayers and support are working. They had their first full day of patients and cared for 305 people! Mary said ‘the AMC supplies are fantastic.' She said, 'Whoever threw in the blow-up mattresses is much appreciated, because [without them] we would have been sleeping on the ground.'

"They feel very safe and are imbedded in the 82nd Airborne and drive everywhere in military vehicles. In a very enthusiastic tone she summed things up by saying, ‘we are doing great,' and was off to help another victim. Thank you to all staff for your love, prayers and support. Our AMC colleagues in Haiti feel it."

The Austin Medical Clinic Foundation is serving as a clearinghouse for monetary donations to purchase medical supplies, which will come at a reduced cost because of AMC's contracts.

Groups of volunteers from Avera Health System have long been making mission trips to Jeremie, Haiti, which is about 100 miles from Port-Au-Prince. Avera is based in Sioux Falls, S.D. but manages three hospitals in Minnesota.

The Avera Foundation recently issued a call to employees and to the public to give funds to the rescue efforts and to the ongoing mission work, and the foundation offered to match donations up to $10,000. As of Tuesday, the combined effort had raised about $40,000.

Teri Hively, a staff member of Avera Home Medical Equipment in Marshall, has made three trips to Haiti. This Marshall Independent story from last week discussed her work there.

St. Cloud-based CentraCare Health System set up the CentraCare Health Foundation Relief Fund to channel 100 percent of employee donations to the American Red Cross USA and the Salvation Army USA. An estimated $1,500 had been raised by Wednesday.

As of Wednesday, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota had sent two emergency department doctors, one nurse and an EMT to Haiti. A hospitalist was to depart Thursday. The organization has sent supplies and medications with the clinicians.

Essentia Health, the parent organization of SMDC Health System, Innovis Health and Essentia Community Hospitals and Clinics, has offered to match, up to $200,000, employee donations made to relief organizations. The SMDC Foundation is acting as the donation clearinghouse. Matches will also be made for employee donations given before Essentia made its announcement last week.

A physician's assistant, Brenna Kerr; an R.N., Faye Potrament; and an emergency medical technician, Terry Anderson, were in Haiti this week. They all work at Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center of Hallock. The three joined several other volunteers from the Hallock area in helping at the Ruuska Village, an orphanage.

They will be providing medical care to the orphans and area residents and helping reconstruct the orphanage, which was heavily damaged by the earthquake. In addition, Kittson Memorial is acting as the designated drop-off center for area residents to donate money, dry milk and formula for the orphanage.

Park Nicollet Health Services of St. Louis Park has teamed up with local relief organizations to send pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to help those affected. In addition to encouraging employees to donate individually, Park Nicollet last week authorized its own donation of $5,000.

"We felt an immediate cash donation to local aid organizations would be the quickest response for getting much-needed supplies to Haiti as soon as possible," Chris Johnson, M.D., medical director of development for Park Nicollet Foundation, said in Park Nicollet materials. "But the reality is that there is going to be an ongoing need in Haiti for quite some time, so we will continue to explore other ways to help."

Park Nicollet also worked with pharmaceutical supplier McKesson to obtain an additional donation of $2,500, which purchased pain medicines, antibiotics and other supplies. For more information, visit arcrelief.org.

A staff anesthesiologist and a clinical nurse specialist from Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague are a part of a group that went to provide health care. In addition, by Tuesday Queen of Peace's employees had raised more than $3,000 in contributions. Also, the hospital donated medical supplies to the medical mission. Read more about the efforts here.

Redwood Area Hospital of Redwood Falls will soon send some surgical supplies to Haiti when a team of doctors and nurses from Mankato, which the hospital works with, make the journey.

Mari Schlegel, an R.N. at Regina Medical Center in Hastings, plans to go to the Haitian village of Lougou next month with a group of nurses and doctors affiliated with a Maplewood church. They plan to set up a clinic. RMC orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jerome Perra is going to Haiti next week.

Three doctors from Regions Hospital in St. Paul — Carson Harris, Autumn Erwin and Matt Morgan - and emergency room technician Joe Kurland, are going to Haiti as part of a nonprofit initiative mentioned in a Tuesday Star Tribune article. Read the story here.

Three physicians from Waconia's Ridgeview Medical Center will travel on Jan. 30 with a group of volunteer physicians to provide medical care. The one-week trip was planned prior to the earthquake. The group has traveled annually for several years to Hôpital Bon Samaritain in Limbé. Learn more here.

The physicians are Jeffry Twidwell, David Larson and Paul Savaryn. Photos of their efforts are available here: [PDF] and here: [PDF]. Also, Ridgeview donated supplies including bandages, intravenous needles and masks.

Shriners Hospitals for Children - Twin Cities reported that it has agreed to provide treatment for club feet to an infant that has reached Minnesota. The Minneapolis hospital is in contact with the baby's host family to schedule services, Administrator Charles Lobeck said. In addition, pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ken Guidera is working with the group No Time for Poverty to provide assistance. That group will partner with medical teams from the organization Partners in Health.

Three providers from Winona Health were already in Les Cayes, Haiti on a mission trip organized by Harvest International when the earthquake occurred, the health system said. The caregivers were scheduled to return Jan. 16, but were delayed because of the quake. They were able to help for a few days until their departure.

The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in St. Cloud reported that Dr. R. Scott Andrews, an anesthesiologist in the medical center's surgical and specialty care service, left to help provide needed medical care in Haiti on Jan. 22. Dr. Sherrie Herendeen, director of the St. Cloud VA Medical Center's mental health services and Dr. Andrews' wife, said she is not sure where the medical team her husband is working with is serving, because cell phone service is unavailable.

"Over the years, Scott has found the experience of using his medical skills to help individuals in these types of crisis situations to be the most gratifying experiences of his career," Dr. Herendeen said. The team will be serving in Haiti for four to six weeks.

Sanford Jackson is helping "Soles4Souls," a shoe donation effort, for Haiti. Sanford Jackson also sent sutures, splints, orthopedic supplies and other medical supplies along with Dr. Marie Paul Lockerd, a local physician and Catholic nun who went to Haiti last Saturday with a group of physicians from her Catholic order. Lockerd plans to be in Haiti for two weeks.

MHA to operate Minnesota aspect of national quality improvement initiative : Mar 12, 2010

Member applications to participate in program, which aims to improve bedside care, due April 30

Starting in August, the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) will take part in an 18-month "Aligning Forces for Quality: Transforming Care at the Bedside" (TCAB) quality improvement project, and member hospitals' nursing units are encouraged to participate.

TCAB is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)-funded initiative focused on empowering nurses and other bedside caregivers to identify where change is needed, suggest and test potential solutions and decide whether innovations will be implemented.

Until now, TCAB has only been available at the national level through either the Institute of Healthcare Improvement or the American Organization of Nurse Executives. MHA leaders are pleased that RWJF has chosen Minnesota as the first state to host a local TCAB training project, through its Aligning Forces for Quality project -- a major initiative to improve the quality of health care in targeted communities. In this state, this effort is being led by Minnesota Community Measurement and is a testament to Minnesota's long history of leadership and collaboration in quality and patient safety efforts.

The Minnesota TCAB project will allow hospitals to have their teams trained here in Minnesota. MHA is expecting an enthusiastic response to this opportunity. The MHA program will train approximately 30 teams, and perhaps more. Applications from Minnesota hospitals to participate are due to Mark Sonneborn, MHA vice president of information services, by April 30.

The TCAB program has demonstrated impressive results for the roughly 200 U.S. hospitals that have been trained in it. In addition to improving quality and patient safety measures, those hospitals also have reported increases in nurse retention and job satisfaction.

The cost of the Minnesota project will be shared among participants -- MHA anticipates the fee will be approximately $5,000 per team, but that amount could fluctuate based on the number of teams. MHA is also exploring other funding avenues, such as grants and sponsorships from other organizations, to help defray the costs.

MHA sent and e-mail about the program Wednesday to member CEOs and chief nursing executives. See more information: [PDF]

Application materials, which describe the commitment needed from each team, are here: [PDF]. Contact Sonneborn at (651) 659-1423 for further details.

AHRQ issues free educational materials meant to aid health care providers : Mar 12, 2010

Patient, clinician guides cover various conditions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has produced the following free educational materials that hospitals may find useful:

Printed and audiovisual patient education tools
Such tools range from patient guides on the benefits and risks of medications and other therapies. Topics include inducing labor, treating gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions.

AHRQ's audiovisual products include a 10-minute video and an audio podcast on the safe and effective use of anticoagulants that can also help hospitals meet the Joint Commission patient safety goal of educating patients and families about the drugs. To view the safe use of anticoagulants DVD and pamphlet, visit the AHRQ Web site.

The agency also offers free evidence-based treatment guides for clinicians on a wide range of conditions. To view the effective health care patient and clinician guides, visit this Web site and click on "Guides for Patients and Consumers" and "Guides for Clinicians."

View all current AHRQ patient health education publications and audiovisual products here.

To order these materials, send an e-mail. Most materials are also offered in Spanish.

Feb. 11 call scheduled for small, rural health care providers interested in quality improvement grants : Feb 05, 2010

Program aimed at improving patient care, chronic disease outcomes

Small, rural health care providers interested in applying for federal quality-improvement grants are encouraged to participate in a Feb. 11 conference call.

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) call will take place at 1 p.m. The deadline to submit a grant application is March 15.

The Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grant Program is meant to improve patient care and chronic disease outcomes. Funds help rural primary care providers such as critical-access hospitals, rural health clinics and tribal organizations implement initiatives like electronic patient registries (EPR). Unlike electronic health record (EHRs), EPRs capture information on specific health conditions, and they focus on health characteristics of an entire population.

The grant program does not provide funding for the ongoing support of an EHR. Also, providers who already have an EHR are eligible for funds.

For details visit this Web site.

E-mail Mary Collier, HRSA administrative assistant, to register for the call.