In
this issue
Gov.
Dayton announces new guidelines, grants to combat opioid abuse
Joined by health care providers and state health experts including MHA, the
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Department of
Health (MDH), Gov. Mark Dayton on April 26 announced new final guidelines to
help cut the risk of opioid addiction and $700,000 in new opioid prevention
grants to combat opioid abuse before it begins.
Dayton also called on the Legislature to support the bipartisan Opioid
Stewardship Program, which would fund opioid abuse prevention and treatment
strategies across Minnesota through a “penny-a-pill” fee on pharmaceutical
companies who sell opioids in Minnesota.
“These guidelines put in place consistent, statewide recommendations for all
health care providers who prescribe opioids,” said Dr. Rahul Koranne, chief
medical officer, MHA. “Minnesota hospitals and health systems are working hard
to decrease both the amount of opioids prescribed and the variation in
prescribing among health care providers. We are committed to working with DHS
and MDH to implement these guidelines across our state’s 144 hospitals and
health systems in service of our patients, families and communities.”
To learn more, view the press release. return to top
MHA
engaging 2018 candidates
The MHA Board of
Directors engaged former Gov. Tim Pawlenty in a robust health care discussion
at its meeting April 20. Pawlenty’s remarks focused on health care, saying that
Minnesota needs to move forward with reform efforts and innovation rather than
relying on provider cuts and cuts to Medicaid eligibility as a way to bend the
cost curve. MHA will continue to engage our membership with the candidates
between now and election day, Nov. 6, 2018. return to top
Legislative
update
Supplemental budget legislation update
The omnibus supplemental budget bill (SF 3656) passed the Senate floor last
Thursday. There were no changes to the funding for the health and human
services portion of the bill. This legislation includes both the Senate Health
and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee legislation (SF 2505) and the
Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee legislation (SF 3937). The
House of Representatives is expected to take up the House version of the bill
(HF 3138) on Tuesday.
Opioid legislation update
Last week, Sen. Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) proposed an amendment to the
opioid provisions included in her health and human services budget bill to
include mandatory use of the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). The
amendment also included a new $50 fee for prescribers who wish to access an
enhanced vendor-supported prescription monitoring program through their
electronic health record. The committee further amended this portion of the
bill to expand the exceptions to the required use of the PMP. Prescribers would
not be required to check the PMP if a patient is receiving hospice care, cancer
treatment, a prescription for five days or less with no refill, a prescription
within 14 days of surgery or three days following oral surgery, inpatient
hospital services, injections and other exemptions.
The House version of the bill does not include the mandated use of the
PMP.
The Senate plans to take up the stand-alone opioid stewardship legislation (SF
730) on Tuesday.
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
New
medication reconciliation road map available
MHA publishes and regularly updates road maps to provide
hospitals and health systems with evidence-based recommendations and standards
for the development of topic-specific prevention and quality improvement
programs.
MHA convened a medication reconciliation subcommittee to develop a road map to
improve the accuracy of inpatient, discharge and transfer medication lists. The
road map is now available on the MHA website and on the member-exclusive data portal.
Medication reconciliation is the process of creating an accurate list of all
medications a patient is taking and comparing it with a physician’s admission,
transfer or discharge orders, with the goal of providing correct medications to
the patient at all transition points within the hospital.
MHA encourages hospitals and health systems to review the road map, take a
baseline assessment and use the road map as a guide to develop or improve
medication reconciliation practices.
The medication reconciliation road map was developed by a team representing
patients, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, nurses, physicians, quality and
compliance specialists. The project was funded by the Cardinal Health
Foundation. With questions, contact Joy Benn, quality and process improvement
specialist, MHA, 651-659-1441. return to top
Comments
on draft Level IV trauma guidelines due May 18
Guidelines for hospitals designated in Minnesota’s state trauma
system as Level IV trauma hospitals have been in development for over a year.
Comments for the draft guidelines are due by May 18 and can be
submitted through the above link.
A work group comprised of Level IV hospital CEOs and trauma nurse supervisors
has been involved with the development of the guidelines. In addition, the
State Trauma Advisory Council has discussed and assigned a subcommittee to work
through the trauma service level criteria. A summary of the noteworthy
changes to the Level IV guidelines is also available here.
For more information, contact Joe Schindler, vice president of finance, MHA,
651-659-1415. return to top
Nexus
Award nominations due May 18
The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education
is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Nexus Award, which celebrates
exemplary interprofessional practice in the U.S. and those who are thinking and
acting differently where education and practice connect in health and health
care.
The award recognizes an educational institution, health system, clinic and/or
community organization for extraordinary contributions to the Nexus – linking
health professions education and interprofessional practice to transform care
delivery, improve health outcomes and decrease costs.
Teamwork across professions and interprofessional practice are key ingredients
for success on the journey to create value for Minnesota’s patients, families
and communities. The professional teamwork demonstrated daily in Minnesota’s
hospitals and health systems can inspire future generations of clinicians and
health care staff.
Learn more about the award and apply online. return to top
MHA
to host speaker showcase May 23
MHA has partnered with local speakers bureau Nationally Speaking
to host its inaugural speaker showcase May 23 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis
West in Plymouth. The showcase will feature 10 speakers representing a wide
range of content levels and topics, including leadership, teamwork, managing
change, patient service, health care humor and more. The lineup of speakers
includes: Fox 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard, a cancer survivor; Dan Meers, mascot
for the Kansas City Chiefs with an inspirational health story; and Holly
Hoffman, a finalist on the CBS television show “Survivor.”
Registration for this event is free. Participants will leave with a list of
speakers who will be a great fit for your hospital teams and communities when
planning your next event. View the brochure, which includes the full speaker
list.
For more information, visit the MHA website, login, click “Calendar of Events” and
select the program title to register. 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 more
information and to register. return to top