Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

July 24, 2017

MHA Newsline: July 24, 2017

In this issue 

Sonam Serpolamatsang honored with MHA Good Catch for Patient Safety Award

MHA on June 2 honored innovative programs and outstanding leaders in health care at its 33rd annual awards ceremony.  

Sonam Serpolamatsang, environmental services professional at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, received the MHA Good Catch for Patient Safety Award, which recognizes a hospital professional who speaks up to prevent potential harm to patients.   

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 this attentive work, the patient's bleeding was addressed.   

The Good Catch for Patient Safety award program accepts nominations throughout the year. All Good Catch for Patient Safety award winners are entered into the running to receive a quarterly Good Catch for Patient Safety award. One quarterly winner is chosen to receive the annual award.   

It is because of the actions taken every day by dedicated professionals like Serpolamatsang that Minnesota hospitals and health systems continue to be leaders in patient safety across the nation.   

Additional award winners will be profiled in upcoming issues of Newsline. To learn more about the award winners, visit the MHA websitereturn to top   

340B funding at risk in CMS proposed rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 13 released its fiscal year 2018 proposed rule for the hospital outpatient prospective payment system. It includes a provision that specifically targets safety net hospitals that operate using the 340B drug purchasing program.    

While current payments under the program are based on the average sales price (ASP) index plus 6 percent, CMS proposes to reduce the payment to ASP minus 22.5 percent. This amounts to a 28.5 percent payment reduction. Both the Minnesota Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association will be focusing on this issue, among others, in comments to CMS on the proposed rule, which are due by Sept. 11.   

In addition, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held hearings last week on the 340B program to review the Health Resources and Services Administration’s oversight of the 340B Drug Pricing Program and how the program impacts patients, providers, manufacturers and other stakeholders. The American Hospital Association weighed in with comments supporting the program’s 25-year history of providing patient access and affordability for outpatient drugs, especially for low-income and uninsured patients.    

For more information or to provide further comments, please contact Joe Schindler, vice president of finance, MHA, 651-659-1415, or Ben Peltier, vice president of legal and federal affairs, MHA, 651-603-3513. return to top   

MHA to celebrate 100th anniversary at Annual Meeting

MHA will celebrate its 100th anniversary at this year’s Annual Meeting. The conference, themed “Health Care Through the Decades,” will be held Sept. 20-22 at Madden’s Resort in Brainerd.   

For a century, MHA has worked in partnership with hospitals and health systems throughout the state to share in your commitment to providing high-quality health care to every Minnesotan. We are honored that our collaborative efforts have helped Minnesota earn a national reputation for delivering safe, high-quality care and for meeting community needs.  

In addition to special events celebrating this significant milestone, the Annual Meeting will provide the latest in cutting-edge education from an outstanding group of speakers, including former HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt on health care reform in the 21st century; former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy on his journey with mental health; Paul Keckley on how to prepare for what’s ahead; Dr. Marty Makary on transparency and accountability; historian and journalist Jon Meacham on leadership and lessons from the American presidency; Dr. Amit Sood on resilient living; and Mark Mayfield on change.   

For more information or to register download the conference brochure or visit MHA’s website. Visit the Madden’s Resort website to make reservations at the resort. return to top   

Three health systems met PAC fundraising goal by July 15

Congratulations to the three health systems that have met their Minnesota Hospital Political Action Committee (PAC) fundraising goal for 2017. 

  • Avera 
  • CentraCare Health 
  • Hennepin Healthcare System 

These health systems demonstrate the importance of supporting the PAC. For more information about the PAC or your hospital PAC goal, contact Andrea Wombacher, division assistant, 651-603-3539,or Kristin Loncorich, director of state government relations, 651-603-3526. return to top   

Register for CHAIN Fall Conference; submit CHAIN Award for Excellence nominations

The 2017 CHAIN Fall Conference will be held on Sept. 27 from 1-4:30 p.m. at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. Learn about the latest evidence-based approaches for reducing and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and promoting antibiotic stewardship in Minnesota. The conference is for patient safety and quality staff, infection preventionists, nurse managers, nurses, physicians, pharmacists and any other professionals working in hospitals, long term care, community care or outpatient settings to prevent HAIs and combat antibiotic resistance. Registration is free and can be completed online.   

As in 2016, CHAIN will recognize this year’s winner of the 2017 CHAIN Award for Excellence. The award commends organizations for their key learnings and innovative approaches to infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship. The application deadline is August 11; complete the nomination form online. With questions, please contact Susan Klammer, quality and process improvement specialist, MHA, 651-603-3529. return to top   

One Health launches Antibiotic Stewardship Honor Roll

The Minnesota Department of Health’s One Health Antibiotic Stewardship Collaborative is launching its Minnesota Antibiotic Stewardship Honor Roll for acute care and critical access hospitals. The honor roll not only encourages commitment to antibiotic stewardship, but also implementation of new ideas and actions and sharing of best practices.  

Hospitals will be eligible for three levels of recognition: bronze, silver and gold. Honorees will be listed on the One Health website, receive a certificate and the use of the honor roll logo. The deadline for the first round of recognition is August 31. Learn more and complete an application onlinereturn to top   

DEED offers broadband grants

The 2017 Minnesota Legislature approved $20 million to support further expansion of broadband targeted for unserved and underserved areas of the state. Administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the grants can cover up to 50 percent of proposed project funding. The application period is open through Sept. 11.    

Based on a 2016 legislative provision, grant applicants must contact, in writing, all of the existing wireline providers in their proposed grant project areas to alert them that a potential application may be filed. Potential applicants should make these contacts by July 31 if they plan to apply for a broadband grant this year.    

Learn more on DEED’s broadband grant program websitereturn to top   

Connect with health commissioner at local events

Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota health commissioner, will host a series of “Pitch the Commissioner” events around the state this summer. At each stop, he will invite community members to share their best ideas about how to improve health in their community – while playing a friendly game of horseshoes. MHA encourages members to attend events held in their communities.   

Houston County Public Health will host the first event on July 31 at 12:30 p.m. at Caledonia Area Elementary School, located at 511 West Main Street in the city of Caledonia. Other scheduled events include mid-August stops in Marshall and Mankato and September visits with representatives of the White Earth Nation and a community conversation in Bemidji. Specific details about these events will be provided on MDH’s Pitch the Commissioner website once they are available. return to top

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