In
this issue
- Firefighter partnership program improves safety, reduces readmission rates for newly discharged patients
- Reach out to legislators during spring break
- PAC golf tournament scheduled for July 30
- MOLN Spring Conference to be held May 3-4
Firefighter
partnership program improves safety, reduces readmission rates for newly
discharged patients
Each day, Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital discharges an average
of 49 people who go home. Among the patients who are the most vulnerable or who
need therapy at home, about 55 people a year come back to the hospital in the
few days after they are discharged.
In 2014, Methodist Hospital partnered with local fire departments in St. Louis
Park, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and Hopkins to help discharged patients make a
safe transition from hospital to home. To improve the discharge planning
process, the hospital invested staff time for communication and coordination
with the fire departments, as well as resources for technology and reporting.
Three years after the program launched, firefighters have visited more than
1,000 patients.
Methodist Hospital Senior Director of Care Management Gena Graves recently met
with several firefighters to discuss the program, including additional services
and matching reimbursements provided by the Park Nicollet Foundation. This will
provide additional funds for supplies like folders, pill boxes, carbon monoxide
detectors, smoke detectors and iPads. In total, the Park Nicollet Foundation
has provided more than $71,000 in funding since 2014.
Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full Community Benefit Report. return to top
Reach
out to legislators during spring break
The legislative spring recess is now through April 8.
Legislators appreciate hearing from constituents about health care issues and
issues affecting their community’s hospital. Please invite local legislators to
hospitals in their home districts for meetings this week. Use the grassroots
matching list found on our Member Center to contact your legislators’
offices.
MHA’s legislative priorities are available online.
MHA opposes the proposed
Medicaid work requirement
Legislation seeking a federal waiver to impose work and community engagement
requirements for certain Medical Assistance enrollees advanced in both the
House and Senate last week. MHA has a long-held position and core value that
every individual should have health coverage and that the government has a role
in paying for that coverage for low-income Minnesotans. MHA testified against
this legislation, SF 3611 (Johnson-R-East Grand Forks)/HF 3722
(Fenton-R-Woodbury), and is part of a 116-member coalition opposed to this
requirement. The Minnesota Department of Human Services estimates that
74,000 Minnesotans would not qualify for one of the exemptions in the
legislation and would be subject to the work and community engagement
requirement. Read the letter MHA submitted to the Senate Health and
Human Services Finance and Policy Committee.
Legislation establishing a new Health Policy Commission continues to advance in
the House and Senate. Sponsored by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, SF 3417
(Benson-R-Ham Lake)/HF 3823 (Schomacker-R-Luverne) will create an independent
commission of health care experts to review health care costs. MHA has
testified that we have concerns on the cost of this commission, the broad scope
of work, the lack of legislative membership on the commission and the extended
sunset of the commission through the year 2034.
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.
Session bill tracker
For a complete list of 2018 legislative bills MHA is tracking, visit the MHA Member Center. For assistance accessing the
Member Center, contact Ashley Beno, member services and
communications specialist, MHA, 651-603-3545. return to top
PAC
golf tournament scheduled for July 30
Registration is now open for the Minnesota Hospital Political
Action Committee (PAC) golf tournament. The tournament will be held on July 30
at Territory Golf Club in St. Cloud. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.,
shotgun start at 12:30 p.m., with a dinner buffet and awards to follow at 5
p.m.
Access the registration form online.
Please contact Andrea Wombacher, division assistant, MHA,
651-603-3539, for information and to register. return to top
MOLN
Spring Conference to be held May 3-4
The Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing
(MOLN) invites all nurse leaders – whether they are at the bedside, in the
board room or in front of the classroom – to attend the 2018 MOLN Spring
Conference. The conference, “Revitalizing Nursing Leadership: Cultivating
Inclusive Partnerships & Collegial Relationships,” will be held May 3-4 at
the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park.
The conference prominently features four highly rated and nationally known
speakers: Rahul Koranne, M.D., chief medical officer, MHA; Rich Bluni, RN,
speaker and author, Studer Group; Faith Roberts, RN, director of magnet,
professional practice and parish nursing, Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle
Physician Group; and Father Nick Mezacapa, rector, Calvary Episcopal Church,
Rochester. These dynamic speakers will present nurse leaders with key
components for building empowered collegial relationships in the health care
environment along with providing nurse leaders with practical strategies for
creating inclusivity in the workplace. Attendees are also invited to
participate in the 2018 Influence of Nursing Leadership poster presentation,
silent auction and exhibitor hall.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) contact hours have been applied for
and will be awarded to attendees for the successful completion of the
conference.
Early bird registration for MOLN members ends April 6. Register online or contact Kimberley Huntington, affiliate coordinator, MHA, 651-659-1425. return to top