Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

November 05, 2012

MHA Newsline

In this issue:

Ameridose products recalled out of abundance of caution

FDA working to alleviate resulting drug shortages

In the midst of an inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ameridose, LLC has voluntarily recalled all of its unexpired products in circulation. Although the inspection is ongoing, the FDA’s preliminary findings have raised concerns about a lack of sterility assurance for products produced at and distributed by this facility.

This recall is not based on reports of patients with infections associated with any of Ameridose’s products, and the agency recommended this recall out of an abundance of caution. The FDA also is recommending that health care professionals do not need to follow up with patients who received Ameridose products, but that they should stop using Ameridose products immediately and return them to the firm.

Products from Ameridose can be identified by markings that indicate Ameridose by name or by its company logo. A complete list of all products subject to this recall can be accessed at www.ameridose.com.

The FDA is working to alleviate drug shortages that have worsened as a result of this latest recall. FDA said it is working to help companies initiate or increase production of these critical injectable drugs, and to import safe foreign drugs to address the U.S. shortages. FDA encouraged health care providers to notify FDA staff at [email protected] if they believe a drug is entering shortage. For supply updates on these and other shortage drugs, see the FDA’s drug shortage index.^top of page

Hospitals sue HHS over Medicare payment denials

The American Hospital Association and four hospital systems in Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) refusal to reimburse hospitals for reasonable and necessary care that recovery audit contractors (RAC) later decide could have been provided in an outpatient setting. The practice undermines the medical judgment of doctors whose decisions are often complicated by a patient’s complex medical situation. The complaint asks the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to overrule the nonpayment policy and reimburse hospitals that were denied payment.

Hospitals have long said the RAC process is administratively burdensome considering that 74 percent of appeals are overturned in favor of hospitals. MHA supports the notion that CMS is overstepping its goal of detecting fraud and abuse by overturning medical judgment. In addition, MHA supports H.R. 6575, the Medicare Audit Improvement Act, which would provide needed improvements to the RAC program.^top of page

MHA submits comments on Care Integration and Payment Reform work group recommendations

The Minnesota Hospital Association has submitted new comments to Gov. Dayton’s Health Care Reform Task Force regarding the recommendations of the Care Integration and Payment Reform work group.

Although the recommendations include the adoption of several suggestions from stakeholders, such as the need for clinically appropriate data sharing, several items of concern remain:

  • Inclusion of heavy-handed cost control measures that could have serious impacts on health delivery and patient care.
  • The possible promulgation of rules outside of the legislative process that could impact private Total Cost of Care contracts.
  • Failure to adequately address the difference between the term “integration” with “collaboration and coordination” in reference to partnerships between health care, long-term care, public health, and human services.

The recommendations will be further discussed and refined at a future Care Integration and Payment Reform work group meeting. However, the draft recommendations report was “accepted” by the full task force with the understanding that additional work will continue. MHA will continue to advocate on behalf of our members and against proposals that could harm health care delivery and patient care.

For more information please contact Matt Anderson, MHA vice president of regulatory and strategic affairs, 651-659-1421.^top of page

March of Dimes honors Nurse of the Year winners

The March of Dimes recognized nurses for their leadership skills and significant contributions to their community and to the profession of nursing. More than 300 nurses from across the state were nominated by patients, colleagues, friends and family. The top honor, Distinguished Nurse of the Year, was given to Barbara Bor, infection prevention coordinator for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul. Bor has committed more than 40 years to nursing and promotes hand hygiene with nursing staff as the heart of patient care. MHA members’ nurses include:

  • Advanced Practice – Lyn Ceronsky, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, Minneapolis
  • Education & Research – Sue Sendelbach, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis
  • Leadership – Paula Forté, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul
  • Mental Health – Leslie Larson, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul
  • Neonatal – Wendi Baldwin, North Memorial Health Care, Robbinsdale
  • Pediatric – Sarah Conlin, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul
  • Perioperative – Katherine Houle, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul
  • Rising Star – Michelle Langer, Regions Hospital, St. Paul
  • Rural Health – Peggy Gerhardt, Cambridge Medical Center
  • Staff Nurse, Critical Care – Ellen Johnson, Regions Hospital, St. Paul
  • Staff Nurse, General Care – Lauren Harmeyer, Regions Hospital, St. Paul
  • Women's Health – Karen Sonnenburg, St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Skakopee

MHA extends its congratulations to each of the Nurse of the Year winners and thanks them for their commitment and dedication to delivering safe patient care.^top of page

Hospitals experience change of leadership

Two Minnesota hospitals are undergoing a change of leadership.

Madison Hospital has named Steven Moburg as its new chief executive officer. Moburg replaces Scott Larson who resigned effective Nov. 7. Moburg brings more than 13 years of experience as a chief executive officer, including serving as CEO at Boscobel Area Health Care in Boscobel, Wis. for six years and as CEO at Paynesville Area Health Care System in Paynesville, Minn. for six years. His most recent position was interim executive director at Southern Minnesota Area Health Education Center in Willmar.

The CEO of Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Michael Hagen, announced he will retire in June 2013 after nearly a dozen years of service at Riverwood. During his tenure, Hagen oversaw a $21 million expansion and upgrade to the hospital campus and the expansion of the medical team and services offered. He serves on MHA’s Workforce Development Committee and Physician Leadership Council. Riverwood’s board has selected search firm Chandler Group Executive Search to lead the search process for the next chief executive officer. ^top of page

Community benefit survey deadline extended until Nov. 12

Due to requests from hospitals for additional time to submit their data, MHA has extended the deadline for submitting your hospital’s community benefit activities to Monday, Nov. 12. Your participation is critical to ensure the report accurately reflects regional and statewide trends, and that all the beneficial activities hospitals provide to improve health and to provide access to care are acknowledged. If your hospital did not receive emails regarding the survey, please contact Bonnie Terveer, 651-603-3520.

Also, if you have not yet done so please send your hospital’s Form 990 to Bonnie Terveer.^top of page

RARE report on improving transitions for patients with mental illness released

The Mental Health work group of the RARE (Reducing Avoidable Readmissions Effectively) Campaign has released a report on improving care transitions for patients with mental illness. This work reflects the input of the mental health community, health care providers, payers, tribes, counties, and the state.

The report, Recommended Actions for Improved Care Transitions: Mental Illness and/or Substance Use, provides evidenced-based recommendations and quality measures for five key areas that influence avoidable readmissions:

  • Patient/family engagement and activation
  • Medication management
  • Comprehensive transition planning
  • Care transition support
  • Transition communication

The work group included representatives from MHA members Allina Health (Paul Goering, MD), CentraCare Health System (Chris Walker, MSN, RN, MHA), Fairview Health Services (Kathy Knight, RN, MA), Regions/HealthPartners (Michael Trangle, MD), and Lakewood Health System (Paul Davis, PhD, LP), as well as MHA staff.

For more information visit the RARE website.^top of page