In this issue
HealthEast
community paramedics support mental health care transitions
Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems contributed more than
$4.3 billion in programs and services in 2014 to benefit the health of their
communities. One community benefit program was HealthEast Community
Paramedicine.
Field paramedics are trained to respond quickly to help people who need
emergency medical care, and then move on to the next emergency. Communication
and assessment are important parts of the job, but there isn’t much time to
build relationships or follow patients’ progress to help ensure that they stay
well.
In 2014, HealthEast Care System decided to apply the compassion and
problem-solving skills of paramedics to a different type of work – helping
mental health patients readjust to their home environment, manage their
medications and get follow-up care after they are discharged from St. Joseph’s
Hospital’s inpatient mental health unit. Six HealthEast paramedics completed
more than 200 hours of clinical training and became state-certified community
paramedics.
During the program’s first year, HealthEast Community Paramedicine worked with
more than 100 patients. Social workers arrange for the paramedics to meet each
patient before discharge and review treatment notes and discharge plans.
Since the program’s inception, preventable mental health readmissions have
dropped and more than 30 medication errors have been prevented. Grant funding
has enabled each patient to receive 12 home visits, which typically are
scheduled in advance and decrease in frequency as the patient progresses.
Patients can call for additional assistance between appointments and receive
extra visits if needed.
“Emergency medical services have always been about responding and helping
people at times of need,” said Dr. Peter Tanghe, medical director of HealthEast
Community Paramedicine. “Community paramedicine recognizes the value of being
proactive in this response.”
Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full 2015 Community Benefit Report. return to top
MHA
awards deadline extended to March 2
Entries are still being accepted for the 32nd annual MHA awards
program celebrating the outstanding work your hospitals and caregivers do to
deliver patient care and serve your communities.
MHA award categories recognize excellence including community health, best
workplace and patient care. Honors for individuals recognize trustees,
volunteers, hospital executives, caregivers and public
officials. Additional information on the categories and judging criteria
can be found on the MHA website.
The submission deadline has been extended through close of business on Wednesday, March 2;
find the entry form here: Nomination Form
MHA will notify all entrants whether they have won in mid-April. A reception
and dinner will take place Friday, May 20, at the Metropolitan Ballroom in
suburban Minneapolis. All
MHA members and associate members are invited and encouraged to attend the
awards ceremony. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for
this celebration of excellence in Minnesota health care.
For more information, contact Sarah Bohnet, MHA visual
communications specialist, 651-603-3494. return to top
HRSA
accepting grant applications for rural school-based telehealth services
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is
accepting applications through Friday, April 8, for fiscal year 2016 grants to
support telehealth services for school-based health centers in rural, frontier
and underserved communities. Hospitals may sponsor the health centers and be
part of the telehealth networks.
The Telehealth Network Grant Program anticipates awarding up to 20 grants of up
to $300,000 a year for four years. Applicants must identify the clinical focus
areas for their project. School-based health centers are strongly encouraged to
provide telehealth services for rural children that focus on asthma, obesity
reduction and prevention, behavioral health, diabetes and oral health.
HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will review the funding
opportunity during a webinar today, Feb. 29, at 1 p.m. Webinar information is
as follows:
Meeting Name:
Telehealth Network Grant Program
To join the meeting as a
guest: https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/hrsa-16-012/
Toll-free call-in number
(for audio): 888-790-1954 (participants must call in to
verbally ask questions)
Participant passcode for
call-in number: 4171383
An instant replay of the call will be available until April 29. Access
information is as follows:
Toll-free call-in number:
800-839-9140
Passcode:
3516
For more information, see the application guidance on the HRSA website. return to top
Patient
Safety Awareness Week is March 13-19
The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF)’s
annual Patient Safety Awareness Week will be observed March 13-19, with the
goal of increasing awareness about patient safety. The week is a culmination of
NPSF’s United for Patient Safety campaign, which focuses on patient engagement
and the important roles that patients, families, care teams and others involved
in the health care system play in keeping patients safe.
Patient Safety Awareness Week provides an opportunity for hospitals and health
systems to highlight how they are offering high-quality, safe care for
patients. Planning resources are available on the United for Patient Safety website. return to top