Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

May 09, 2016

MHA Newsline: May 9, 2016

In this issue 

National Hospital Week is proclaimed Minnesota Hospital Week by Gov. Dayton, Lt. Gov. Smith

This year’s National Hospital Week runs from May 8-14. This annual observance celebrates hospitals and the dedicated care teams who support the health and well-being of their communities through dedication and compassionate care from the heart.   

To help celebrate National Hospital Week and recognize the critical role that Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems play in caring for patients and in strengthening the health of their communities, Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith have proclaimed May 8-14 as Minnesota Hospital Week. View the proclamation.   

Throughout the week, MHA will be sharing a statewide social media ‘Thank You’ to the caregivers of Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems. You can follow the conversation and join in by liking MHA’s Facebook page and the Strengthening Healthy Communities Facebook page, as well as by following MHA on Twitter. Share your own messages of thanks by using the hashtags #ThanksMNHospitals and #HospitalWeek.   

Learn more about National Hospital Week and access resources online. return to top

National Nurses Week highlights a culture of safety

May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, an annual observance that celebrates the important role nurses play in health care. This year, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has selected “Culture of Safety: It Starts with You” as the theme for 2016. A strong safety culture within Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems is the foundation of patient safety and quality improvement efforts.   

Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems recognize the more than 122,000 nurses in Minnesota who are critical care team members and play an integral role in maintaining a culture of safety.   

MHA encourages members to honor nurses during this recognition week. Learn more about National Nurses Week and access resources onlinereturn to top   

Legislative conference committee members named

Last week, 10 state senators and representatives were appointed to serve on the omnibus appropriations conference committee. They include Senators Dick Cohen (D – St. Paul), Michelle Fischbach (R – Paynesville), Tony Lourey (D – Kerrick), Tom Saxhaug (D – Grand Rapids) and Chuck Wiger (D – Maplewood) and Representatives Jim Knoblach (R – St. Cloud), Matt Dean (R – Dellwood), Pat Garofalo (R – Farmington), Jenifer Loon (R – Eden Prairie) and Denny McNamara (R – Hastings).   

These 10 legislators are charged with negotiating the differences between the Senate and House supplemental appropriation bills, including health and human services spending. On Friday, Mary Krinkie, MHA vice president of government relations, emailed MHA members who have hospitals in these communities asking them to reach out to the conferees in support of funding MHA’s mental health agenda.   

For additional information, contact Mary Krinkie or Kristin Loncorich, director of state government relations, MHA.   

Session bill tracker
For a complete list of 2016 legislative bills MHA is tracking, visit the MHA Member Center. For assistance accessing the Member Center, contact Ashley Beno, member services and communications specialist, MHA, 651-603-3545. return to top   

HEN funding to continue under new program name

MHA is pleased to announce that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) intends to continue the Hospital Engagement Network (HEN) model. Based on several positive evaluations, site visits and reviews from CMS, MHA hopes to be a strong contender for the continuation of this important quality improvement work across Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems in service of patients.   

On April 22, CMS released a statement of intent to issue a request for proposal to fund the next iteration of HEN. The program’s name will change to Hospital Improvement Innovation Network (HIIN). The priority of HIIN will again focus on the core areas of harm identified in the original HEN work as well as readmissions.   

MHA anticipates the RFP will be released in mid-May. CMS has indicated that multiple contracts are expected to be awarded by September 20 with a performance period of up to three years.   

With questions, contact Tania Daniels, vice president, quality and patient safety, MHA, 651-603-3517. return to top

40-hour SANE training to be offered Oct. 13-14, 19-21

A 40-hour sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training course is scheduled for October 13-14 and October 19-21 at the Essentia Health-Hermantown Clinic in Hermantown. The cost is $350, which includes lunch and snacks. CEUs will be provided.   

SANE is a best-practice model for providing medical care and ensuring proper evidence collection for sexual assault victims. This 40-hour training course will focus on basic forensic medical examination techniques and issues, as well as highlight the importance of a victim-centered, team approach.   

A flier is available to publicize the training opportunity. To register or for more information, contact Em Westerlund, SANE coordinator, Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA). return to top   

Workplace violence prevention efforts highlighted in patient safety publication

Minnesota’s collaborative efforts toward workplace violence prevention were featured in an article authored by MHA and the Minnesota Department of Health published in Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare. The article highlights the comprehensive workplace violence prevention resources that were collaboratively created by a public-private coalition of health care stakeholders, including MHA and the Minnesota Department of Health. Rahul Koranne, M.D., chief medical officer, MHA, and Tania Daniels, vice president, quality and patient safety, MHA, co-wrote the article along with representatives from MDH.   

In 2015, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law that hospitals must design and implement preparedness and incident response plans for action of violence that occur on their premises, and provide training for employees. Hospitals’ preparedness and incident response plans were to be put in place by Jan. 15, 2016, with training underway at that time and completed by Aug. 1, 2016. Training must also be incorporated into new employee training on an ongoing basis and all health care workers must be retrained annually. 

Additional resources for implementing the workplace violence prevention law are available on the MHA website as well as the MDH websitereturn to top   

CHNA meetings scheduled for May 20, May 24, June 1

Registration is now open for upcoming meetings to discuss partnering during the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) process. Sponsored by MHA and the Local Public Health Association (LPHA), these meetings will identify how local public health and hospitals are currently collaborating, identify barriers in CHNA work and clarify areas where additional technical assistance is needed across the state for both local public health and hospitals. The same facilitation guide and format will be used at each of the meetings. MHA members with CHNA responsibility are encouraged to attend one of the meetings: 

  • May 20, noon-4 p.m., St. Paul 
  • May 24, noon-4 p.m., St. Cloud 
  • June 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Mankato    

Lunch will be provided. Register online to attend a meeting. For more information, please contact Kristin Loncorich, state director of government relations, MHA. return to top   

Health equity conference scheduled for May 26

The Minnesota Community Health Workers Alliance is holding a one-day statewide conference "Health Equity: Many Voices, Shared Vision" on May 26 at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center, 1890 Buford Avenue, St. Paul.   

The opening session will feature Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger, M.D., MSPH, and Minnesota Department of Human Services Assistant Commissioner for Community and Partner Relations Anne Barry, J.D., MPH. Additional learning and discussion breakouts will all support conference objectives to:  

  • Describe current initiatives in Minnesota that help achieve health equity and the Triple Aim 
  • Identify new developments, emerging lessons, best practices and helpful resources to improve access, cultural competence, outcomes and sustainability 
  • Define opportunities, research and success factors for next-stage work to impact the health of underserved communities 
  • Strengthen cross-sector connections, celebrate progress and recognize leadership 

Learn more and register online. return to top

MHA Summer Trustee Conference to be held July 8-10

MHA’s 30th annual Summer Trustee Conference will be held July 8-10 at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center in Alexandria. The conference is designed to provide hospital board members with the opportunity to focus on challenges facing trustees. It includes six general sessions and nine breakouts focusing on issues of transformation, reform, patient safety and the future of health care.   

Matt Anderson, MHA senior vice president, policy and strategy, will present a general session, “Mental and Behavioral Health: Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Potentials.” He will summarize efforts underway in Minnesota and around the country to develop new models of care, expand capacity across the care continuum, change public policy and more effectively deploy our available workforce.   

Gary S. Lynn, Ph.D., professor, Stevens Institute of Technology, led a team of researchers to uncover the 10 emergent innovations that are transforming health care and assembled best practice cases in each area. During his general session, “Best Practice Innovations Revolutionizing Health Care,” he will share results from participants who have implemented these innovations with extraordinary results.    

For more information or to register, download the conference brochurereturn to top

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