Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

August 22, 2016

MHA Newsline: Aug. 22, 2016

In this issue 

Gov. Dayton visits CHI St. Joseph’s Health

Gov. Mark Dayton visited CHI St. Joseph’s Health in Park Rapids on Aug. 17. Hospital leaders including President Ben Koppelman, Board Chair Clay Peterson, Board Vice Chair Kathy Henry, Director of Quality Chris Broeker and Health Communication/Marketing Manager Judy Miller shared how CHI St. Joseph’s Health works to meet the needs of the Park Rapids community, both inside and outside of the hospital.   

Koppelman highlighted the hospital’s focus on quality and patient safety and discussed how Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems lead the nation in providing high-quality, low-cost health care. Koppelman also emphasized the growing need for additional mental health care resources across Minnesota and how hospitals, health systems and MHA are working with a broad coalition of stakeholders on a statewide effort to enhance the mental health care delivery system.   

During his visit, Gov. Dayton met Sherrie Eischens, RN, recipient of MHA's 2016 Good Catch for Patient Safety Award. This award recognizes hospital professionals who demonstrate their commitment to keeping patients safe by speaking up to prevent a potential patient safety issue.   

“We were pleased to share with Gov. Dayton how CHI St. Joseph’s Health is dedicated to serving our community and providing exceptional patient care,” said Koppelman. “The visit allowed us to showcase our hospital’s unique services, as well as the collaborative efforts of Minnesota’s hospitals, health systems and the Minnesota Hospital Association to enhance patient safety and meet community needs across our state.”   

Gov. Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith are conducting a statewide tour of Minnesota's 87 counties. If the statewide tour visits your community, MHA encourages you to participate in the events as you are able. MHA can provide assistance with scheduled hospital visits during the 87-county tour. If a visit is scheduled at your location, please contact Mary Krinkie, vice president of government relations, MHA, 651-659-1465.   

Meeting resources, including handouts that can be printed and shared, are available on the MHA Member Center, which is username and password protected. For help resetting your username and/or password, contact Ashley Beno, member services and communication specialist, MHA, 651-603-3545. return to top   

Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital staff member receives MHA Good Catch for Patient Safety award

Sonam Serpolamatsang recognized for speaking up to prevent potential adverse health event 

A Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital environmental services professional has received the award that recognizes hospital professionals who demonstrate their commitment to keeping patients safe by speaking up to prevent a potential patient safety issue. 

Sonam Serpolamatsang accepted the quarterly Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) Good Catch for Patient Safety award at a presentation on Aug. 19.   

Serpolamatsang took action to keep a patient safe as he was being transported back from dialysis. She noticed that the patient appeared to be bleeding and immediately approached her department director and requested that the patient be checked. An examination revealed that the patient was indeed bleeding from his arterial access point. Because of Serpolamatsang’s attentive work, the patient’s bleeding was addressed.   

“It is because of actions taken every day by dedicated professionals like Sonam that Minnesota hospitals continue to be front-runners in patient safety,” said MHA Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety Tania Daniels. “Sonam’s efforts remind us what a difference each person can make to keep patients safe.”   

The Good Catch for Patient Safety program recognizes hospital professionals for actions that protect patients. Individuals seeking to nominate an employee or team for the award can visit the MHA website to complete a nomination form.   

For more information, visit the MHA website or contact Tania Daniels, 651-603-3517, or Dr. Rahul Koranne, MHA’s chief medical officer, 651-659-1445. return to top   

Statewide antibiotic stewardship efforts launch

Antibiotics are a critical treatment and public health tool. However, widespread use of antibiotics has resulted in the development of antibiotic resistance, and drug choices for the treatment of bacterial infections are becoming increasingly limited and expensive. Hospitals and health systems need strong antibiotic stewardship leadership and practices to ensure appropriate antibiotic use and improve patient outcomes.   

The importance of antibiotic stewardship has recently been highlighted at a national level both in a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and in prepublication requirements by the Joint Commission. To promote the importance of stewardship statewide, Minnesota held its first One Health Antibiotic Stewardship State Summit in January 2016. Based on this meeting, the Minnesota One Health Antibiotic Stewardship Collaborative recently announced the launch of a five-year antibiotic stewardship strategic plan aimed at raising awareness and changing behaviors to preserve antibiotics and treat infections effectively.   

The Collaborative Healthcare-Associated Infection Network (CHAIN) is a longstanding collaboration between public and private sector organizations – including MHA – committed to eliminating preventable healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in Minnesota. Reducing antibiotic resistance is essential to preventing and treating HAIs, and CHAIN supports the One Health Collaborative’s antibiotic stewardship efforts.   

Hospitals and health systems can demonstrate their commitment to antibiotic stewardship by completing the CHAIN/One Health call to action form and signing up to receive state antibiotic stewardship email updates, which will include new guidance, a future health care facility honor roll program and upcoming events. Learn more online from CHAIN and One Healthreturn to top  

Kenneth Gronbach, John Zogby and Ben Nemtin to speak Sept. 23 at MHA’s Annual Meeting

MHA’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sept. 21-23 at Madden’s on Gull Lake in Brainerd. For more information, download the conference brochure. To register, visit MHA’s website, log in, click “Calendar of Events” and select the program title to register. The cut-off date for the group block at Madden’s is Aug. 23. Make your reservations now by visiting the MHA Conference page on the Madden’s website.   

Demographer Kenneth Gronback, political expert John Zogby and MTV’s “The Buried Life” co-star Ben Nemtin will present on Sept. 23.   

Kenneth Gronbach, president of KGC Direct, LLC, and author of the current best-selling book “The Age Curve: How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Storm” will discuss the upcoming perfect demographic storm that will cause exponential growth in health care over the next 30 years. Gronbach is an internationally respected demographer who has been able to forecast societal, commercial, economic, cultural and political phenomena with uncanny accuracy.   

During his presentation, “2016 Race for the White House,” John Zogby, an expert on the dynamics of U.S. politics and consumer trends, will provide a penetrating and incisive commentary on the White House scene and what we can expect as we head toward the November election. He will share the combination of accurate data, trend spotting, storytelling and global perspective.   

The conference will close with a thought-provoking, funny and moving presentation from Ben Nemtin, author of “What Do You Want to Do Before You Die” and co-star of MTV’s “The Buried Life.” Ben and his three friends travel the globe in a donated purple bus to complete a list of 100 things to do before they die and help encourage others to go after their own lists. For every item they complete on their list, they help a stranger achieve one of their dreams. return to top   

Minnesota Hospital PAC Silent Auction donations needed

MHA Annual Meeting attendees are invited to the Chair’s Reception and Minnesota Hospital PAC Silent Auction on Sept. 21 from 8-10 p.m. at Madden’s in the Town Hall Conference Center, lower level.   

The Minnesota Hospital PAC is a voluntary, bipartisan political action committee (PAC) that raises campaign funds for candidates running for state and federal office in Minnesota. It is the voice for hospital advocates seeking to help candidates who support the goals of hospitals.     

MHA is seeking donation items from members and associate members to be auctioned to raise money for the PAC, which supports MHA’s advocacy efforts. Suggested items to donate include tickets to events, hotel stays, gift certificates, spa visit certificates, art work, gift baskets, golf outings — anything that you would like to bid on at a silent auction. Deadline for donations is Sept. 9.   

Please contact Kristin Loncorich, MHA director of government relations, 651-603-3526, with questions and to donate items. return to top   

LHA Foundation creates fund for hospital employees affected by Louisiana flood

The flooding in south Louisiana has been devastating for many individuals, families and businesses. Unlike a hurricane, there was no warning or time to prepare. It is estimated that more than 5,000 hospital employees suffered significant property loss to their homes.   

In an effort to provide some relief, the Louisiana Hospital Association Research and Education Foundation has established the Louisiana Hospital Employee Assistance Fund to support hospital employees. Contributions are tax deductible and 100 percent of the money raised will go to hospital employees who suffered significant property loss to their homes/residences during the August 2016 flooding disaster.   

If you would like to contribute to this fund, visit www.LaHospitalEmployeeFund.org for information on how you can donate by credit card online or by check. After making a donation, you will receive a written or electronic acknowledgement, including information needed for tax purposes. For information about the Louisiana Hospital Employee Assistance Fund, call 225-928-0026 or email [email protected]return to top

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