Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

March 27, 2017

MHA Newsline: March 27, 2017

In this issue

Murray County Medical Center staff member receives Minnesota Hospital Association’s Good Catch for Patient Safety award

Mary Mesner, RN, recognized for speaking up to prevent potential adverse health event

A Murray County Medical Center registered nurse 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.

Mary Mesner, RN, accepted the quarterly Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) Good Catch for Patient Safety award at a presentation on March 22.

Mesner took action to prevent a medication error before it reached her patient in the Emergency Room (ER). She noticed that an order was placed for a diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels to be administered to a patient with a blood sugar level of 100. After verifying with the patient that he was not diabetic, Mesner contacted both the pharmacy and the provider regarding the order. The provider had intended for the medication to be ordered for another ER patient whose blood sugar level was 295. The incorrect order was discontinued and reentered for the appropriate patient.

Mesner’s willingness to question a medication order helped prevent her patient from potentially experiencing a hypoglycemic reaction. Because the order was questioned, no error or harm occurred.

“It is because of actions taken every day by dedicated professionals like Mary that Minnesota hospitals continue to be front-runners in patient safety,” said MHA Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety Tania Daniels. “Mary’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

Baby Café offers support to breastfeeding mothers

New mothers and mothers-to-be have a chance to visit with other women and receive expert breastfeeding support every week through Baby Café. Mayo Clinic Health System in Cannon Falls and Lake City, along with the Goodhue Wabasha Pierce County Breastfeeding Coalition, launched Baby Café in 2015 in Lake City and in 2016 in Cannon Falls.

Baby Café is a national network of breastfeeding drop-ins, combining breastfeeding information with a relaxed, informal environment where mothers can visit and learn about breastfeeding from skilled practitioners and each other. The program is open to anyone in the community interested in any aspect of breastfeeding – prenatal women, mothers, partners and supporters – with the intention that all mothers will be able to access the information and support they need to breastfeed. Each week, interested women and breastfeeding experts gather at a local library or church building.

“We are thrilled to offer the Baby Café in our communities,” said Jenna Reinhart, a registered nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at Mayo Clinic Health System and Baby Café facilitator. “Its success has proven to us that there is definite need for lactation support and resources in our communities.”

Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full 2016 Community Benefit Report. return to top

MHA testifies on quality reporting bill; budget bills released

Legislation to require hospital quality reporting in addition to the requirements from the statewide quality reporting and measurement systems (SQRMS) and CMS reporting was laid over for possible inclusion in the House of Representatives omnibus bill. HF 2115 (Albright – R – Prior Lake) requires that hospitals purchase proprietary software and report measures outside of what is currently required by the state and federal government.

Mark Sonneborn, vice president of health information and analytics, MHA, testified on behalf of members in opposition to the bill. Sonneborn shared concerns about how the bill would impact existing Integrated Health Partnerships (IHPs), which are contracts with the Department of Human Services that already provide incentives to reduce avoidable costs.

Budget bills released
Both the House and Senate released budget bills today. Read the Senate version of the budget bill and details of the proposal. Read the House version of the budget bill and details of the proposal.

The House proposes to cut $599 billion and the Senate cuts $335 million from HHS spending. MHA will be testifying in both the House and Senate to share concerns.

With questions, contact Mary Krinkie, vice president of government relations, MHA, 651-659-1465, or Kristin Loncorich, director of state government relations, MHA, 651-603-3526.

Invite legislators to visit hospitals during spring recess
Legislators appreciate hearing from constituents about health care issues and issues affecting their community’s hospital. Because of the volume of health care issues at the Capitol this session, it is critical that MHA members invite local legislators to hospitals in their home districts for meetings during the legislative spring recess, April 10-17. Please use the grassroots matching list found on our Member Center to contact your legislators’ offices as soon as possible to schedule a visit.

For resources to support you as you plan a legislative visit, visit the MHA Member Center.

Session bill tracker
For a complete list of 2017 legislative bills MHA is tracking, visit the MHA Member Center.

For assistance accessing the Member Center, contact Emily Lowther, communications manager, MHA, 651-603-3495. return to top

House vote on AHCA canceled

House Republican leadership on March 24 withdrew the American Health Care Act (AHCA) from the House floor after it became apparent that they did not have the necessary 216 Republican votes to pass the legislation. Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) did not say when Congress would revisit repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but said Congress will shift its focus to tax reform.

The ACA remains in place and Minnesota will continue to receive its enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) to provide coverage for its expansion population and federal funding for MinnesotaCare for the foreseeable future.

With questions, contact Briana Nord Parish, policy analyst, MHA, 651-603-3498, or Ben Peltier, vice president of legal and federal affairs, MHA, 651-603-3513. return to top

SAMHSA announces grants to states to integrate primary, behavioral health care

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for $22.6 million in fiscal year (FY) 2017 grants for states to work with qualified community health programs to integrate primary and behavioral health care for adults and children. The agency anticipates awarding 11 grants of up to $2 million per year over five years through cooperative agreements under the program. Applications for FY 2017 are due May 17. For more information, visit the SAMHSA website.

With questions, contact Briana Nord Parish, policy analyst, MHA, 651-603-3498. return to top

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