Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

October 31, 2016

MHA Newsline: Oct. 31, 2016

In this issue 

MHA congratulates members who received March of Dimes Nurse of the Year awards

Some 13 nurses from MHA member hospitals were honored Oct. 14 with the seventh annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year awards. The awards honor nursing excellence and pay tribute to hundreds of nurses who are at the front lines of care and have had a tremendous impact on patients and their families. MHA congratulates: 

  • Distinguished Nurse of the Year - Nova Schmitz, CentraCare Health, St. Cloud 
  • Advanced Practice – Beth Good, FirstLight Health System, Mora 
  • Care Management – Shannon Van Brunt, Allina Health, Minneapolis 
  • Education and Research – Katie Schulz, CentraCare Health, St. Cloud 
  • Innovative and Non-Traditional – Amy Hilleren-Listerud, CentraCare Health, St. Cloud 
  • Leadership – Steven Omodt, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis 
  • Mental Health – Nicole Gapp, PrairieCare, Brooklyn Park 
  • Neonatal – Melanie Odden, CentraCare Health, St. Cloud 
  • Oncology – Sharon Miller, Allina Health, Minneapolis 
  • Pediatric – Linda Hoffmann, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul 
  • Rising Star – Brenda Haller, CentraCare Health, St. Cloud 
  • Staff Nurse – Critical Care – Cassandra Flo, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul 
  • Women’s Health – Margaret McCoy, HealthEast Care System, St. Paul 

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Medical forensic exam resources available for hospitals

With the support of partners, MHA offers resources to help members care for sexual assault patients, including Assault Survivor Kits and medical forensic exam training webinars.   

Assault Survivor Kits
MHA and the Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul have been partners for more than 20 years in providing Assault Survivor Kits free of charge to hospital emergency rooms throughout Minnesota.   

Patients at Minnesota hospitals’ emergency departments who seek care after being sexually assaulted often must give what they are wearing to prosecutors for evidence. The goal of these kits is to comfort victims of sexual assault by providing needed toiletry and clothing items to wear home.   

“MHA urges all Minnesota hospitals to order the free kits,” said MHA President and Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Massa. “Hospital emergency rooms are often the first place sexual assault survivors turn for help. We’re proud to be part of this important effort.”    

The Assault Survivor Kits are free to all Minnesota hospitals and contain a t-shirt, sweatpants, socks, underwear, a sports bra and toiletries. To order Assault Survivor Kits for your hospital, please visit the MHA store or contact Sarah Bohnet, MHA, 651-603-3494. Copies of the book “Recovering from Rape” are also provided free of charge to hospitals.   

Training webinars
MHA partnered with the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA) to provide training webinars on medical forensic exams for sexual assault patients, which are now available for viewing on the MHA Member Center.  

Webinar topics include: 

  • Medical Forensic Exams for Sexual Assault Patients: An Overview 
    • This webinar provides an overview of medical forensic exams for sexual assault patients, including information that chief nursing officers should know regarding sexual assault patient response. 
  • SANE Training 101: Part 1 – What is Sexual Assault? 
    • Part one of this series teaches context around sexual assault, best practices around hospital responses to sexual assault patients and how to document the patient’s account of the assault. 
  • SANE Training 101: Part 2 – The Exam 
    • Part two of this series describes the aspects of a medical forensic exam and explain how to complete each component. 
  • SANE Training 101: Part 3 – Discharge and Follow-Up 
    • Part three of this series covers sexual assault patient discharge, follow-up and reporting to law enforcement. 
  • Billing, Insurance and Other Laws Regarding Sexual Assault Patient Care 
    • This webinar reviews state and federal laws related to medical forensic exam billing and payment, as well as additional laws regarding sexual assault patient care. 

MHA members can earn a total of four nursing contact hour CEUs from the webinars, with one nursing contact hour CEU being awarded for each of the first four webinars listed above. CEUs will not be awarded for the webinar on billing and payment. Instructions for obtaining CEUs are available on the MHA Member Centerreturn to top   

MNsure open enrollment begins Nov. 1

With MNsure open enrollment beginning Nov. 1, MHA encourages members to continue working to help patients and communities understand their health care choices and costs. Please note that this open enrollment does not apply to those enrolled in MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance.   

In a change from previous open enrollment periods, the majority of MNsure insurance companies plan to cap enrollments. Blue Plus, the only plan that will not cap enrollments, is a narrow network option that is not being offered in five counties: Benton, Morrison, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs and Stearns.   

MHA suggests that individuals purchasing insurance on MNsure shop early in the open enrollment process in order to access the most coverage options. In addition, it is important for patients to be aware of their insurance plan’s network of coverage so they can determine where they will be able to access care under their chosen plan.   

Learn more about open enrollment on the MNsure websitereturn to top

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