In
this issue
Over
200 people participate in yearlong Mental Health Community Partners Network
More than 200 people from 75 organizations across Minnesota
participated in learning opportunities presented in 2016 by the Mental Health
Community Partners Network. The network, made possible by the Minnesota
Hospital Association’s Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement Network and
the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI), allowed hospitals,
clinics and community partners to collaborate while learning about optimal care
transitions for patients with mental illnesses.
Network participants shared their perspectives and lessons learned in a
concluding report, available online.
Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems serve thousands of patients
experiencing mental illness and other related conditions. From inpatient acute
care to offering outpatient therapy and partnering with local community
services, hospitals and health systems are involved at every level of mental
health care delivery.
To learn more about how hospitals, health systems and MHA are working to ensure
that Minnesotans with mental illnesses, substance use disorders and
co-occurring conditions receive the most appropriate care, visit MHA’s website. return to top
Hospital
participation in MHA’s Hospital Improvement Innovation Network meets ACA
patient safety standards
MHA has been notified that some members have received letters
from health plans requesting verification that the hospital meets Affordable
Care Act (ACA) benefit and payment parameters related to quality improvement
and patient safety. MHA reminds members that participation in a qualified
program, including MHA’s Hospital Engagement Network (HEN)/Hospital ImprovementInnovation Network (HIIN), meets this regulatory requirement.
As previously noted in Newsline, the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Feb. 29 published its final rule regarding Affordable Care Act
(ACA) benefit and payment parameters for 2017. Included in the rule are new
flexibilities for how hospitals with more than 50 beds improve quality and
patient safety through data collection, management and analysis of patient
safety events, for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2017.
Previous versions of the rule required hospitals to partner with a patient
safety organization (PSO) to collect safety data. The final rule, however,
allows hospitals that are engaging in evidence-based patient safety programs –
including national, state, public and private programs – to meet ACA patient
safety standards through their existing processes for the collection, management
and analysis of patient safety events. Participation in MHA’s HEN/HIIN meets
these standards.
MHA is one of 16 national, regional, state organizations to receive HIIN
funding through Sept. 2018-19 to continue this nation-leading work in
quality and patient safety. Minnesota will continue to build upon its
longstanding, collaborative, dynamic process of both collecting hospital data
and disseminating patient safety and clinical care best practices with the goal
of improving patient care across the state.
Hospital and health system chief executive officers and primary patient safety
contacts received an email from MHA’s President and CEO Lorry Massa on Oct. 3
with a link to submit the online HIIN commitment letter. With questions or to
learn more about participating in MHA’s HIIN, contact Tania Daniels, vice president of quality and
patient safety, MHA, 651-603-3517. return to top
Register
for Oct. 20 patient and family engagement webinar
MHA convenes a statewide virtual Patient and Family Advisory
Committee (PFAC) webinar on the third Thursday of each month. The next webinar
will take place on October 20 from 11 a.m. to noon on the topic of health
literacy.
The Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership defines
health literacy as a patient’s
ability to obtain, understand and act on health information;
and the capacity of health
care providers and systems to communicate clearly, educate
about health and empower patients. During the webinar, participants will review
the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership’s “Action Plan to Improve Health
Literacy,” developed in 2016.
Online registration is required to join the
webinar.
MHA’s virtual PFAC is an inclusive online community for anyone who is involved
in a local PFAC in Minnesota. It is open to patient partners, patient and
family engagement leaders and anyone passionate about including patients as
partners in their care.
To learn more or submit proposed content for the webinar discussion, contact Joy Benn,
quality and patient safety specialist, MHA, 651-659-1441. return to top
NAMI
Minnesota grassroots 40-city tour continues this week
The Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness
(NAMI-MN) has embarked on a 40-city tour across the state of Minnesota.
Presentations given by Executive Director Sue Abderholden cover the
history of the mental health system in Minnesota and seek input from community
members about their current needs and hopes for the future of mental health
care in the state.
The events are free and open to the public and MHA members are encouraged to
participate as available. Registration is encouraged but not required.
For more information and a schedule of the tour, visit the NAMI website. return to top
Essential
Community Provider applications due Oct. 15
Hospitals that serve predominantly low-income,
medically-underserved individuals may submit an application to the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) through Oct. 15 to add their facility to the Essential
Community Provider (ECP) list for the 2018 health insurance marketplaces.
Eligible hospitals include those that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing
Program, critical access hospitals, rural referral centers, disproportionate
share hospitals and DSH-eligible hospitals, children’s hospitals, sole
community hospitals and free-standing cancer centers. Qualified health plans
are required to contract with a minimum percentage of ECPs in their
communities. Hospitals that submit applications after the deadline will be
considered for the following benefit year.
With questions, view the FAQs or contact CMS. return to top