Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

August 20, 2018

MHA Newsline: Aug. 20, 2018

In this issue 

Winona Health Services honored with MHA Quality and Patient Safety Improvement Award

MHA on June 1 honored innovative programs and outstanding leaders in health care at its 34th annual awards ceremony.   

Winona Health Services received the Quality and Patient Safety Improvement Award in the large hospital category, which recognizes hospitals that have taken extraordinary and innovative steps to make patient safety a top priority throughout the hospital.   

Communities nationwide see the devastating effects of opiates. Winona Health developed the Conservative Management Clinic to increase safety, improve care and decrease the risk of accidental overdose and medications getting into the wrong hands. The clinic team created a guideline for optimal doses of medication for patients, and primary care providers rotate through the clinic to gain understanding of the work. Registered nurses perform screenings and collect data for each visit and providers use evidence-based protocols.   

If a medical professional determines opioids are needed, they use prescribing guidelines, giving patients the lowest dose for effective treatment. The staff educates patients about the addictive risks associated with opioids, while providing information about alternative pain management options including cognitive, physical and behavioral therapy and alternatives like mindfulness.   

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

MHA, LeadingAge Minnesota to host gubernatorial debate at MHA Annual Meeting

MHA and LeadingAge Minnesota will host a gubernatorial debate in partnership with Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) on Sept. 21 at the MHA Annual Meeting. The state’s major party candidates, Rep. Tim Walz (DFL) and Jeff Johnson (R), have been invited. TPT’s Capitol reporter Mary Lahammer will moderate the debate, which is sponsored by Gallagher.   

Evolving changes in the delivery and financing of health care and a fast-growing aging population present both challenges and opportunities. The candidates will debate issues related to health care and long-term care that affect every citizen’s quality of life.   

TPT will live stream the debate online and air it later on its Minnesota Channel for statewide viewing.   

The content of the MHA Annual Meeting has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators for up to 10 contact hours.   

For more information and to register, download the conference brochure or visit MHA’s website, log in, click “Calendar of Events” and select the program title. Make reservations at the resort on the Madden’s websitereturn to top   

Register for Aug. 31 SAMHSA training on opioid use disorder in mothers, infants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will offer a free course on Aug. 31 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at United Hospital in St. Paul designed to help physicians and health care professionals who care for pregnant women with opioid use disorder and substance-exposed infants make clinically appropriate and individualized treatment decisions that will promote the best possible outcome for both mother and infant.   

The information covered in this course is based on SAMHSA’s “Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants” guide. The session is jointly provided by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and SAMHSA and co-hosted by Allina Health.   

Learn more and register online.   

MHA also offers a toolkit that hospitals and health systems can use to identify, assess and treat newborns and their mothers experiencing opioid addiction. return to top   

MDH announces MERC grant applications due Oct. 31

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has opened the medical education and research cost (MERC) grant application for clinical training that took place in Minnesota during fiscal year 2017 through sponsoring institutions with accredited teaching programs. The purpose of the grant is to compensate a teaching program’s clinical training facilities for a portion of clinical training costs in a patient care setting. Applications are due Oct. 31. MDH plans to distribute the grants at the end of April 2019. Grant materials can be found on the MDH websitereturn to top   

September is Sepsis Awareness Month

This September, take action to recognize Sepsis Awareness Month. Recognizing sepsis early is a critical aspect to successful treatment. Several new resources are available to help spread the message externally in the community and take action internally within your organization.   

MHA continues to see an increase in Minnesota hospital and health system participation in the tiered sepsis road map. Check your progress in meeting the fundamental and advanced strategies within your hospital or health system. This road map focuses on facilitating the adoption of sepsis early detection tools using the Seeing Sepsis Toolkit and Surviving Sepsis Campaign three- and six-hour care bundles by hospitals of all sizes.   

Over 80 percent of sepsis cases begin outside of the hospital, but only 55 percent of adults have heard of sepsis. This patient toolkit has practical resources including printable posters and social media content to support your efforts to increase awareness of sepsis. In addition, the CDC website offers resources and publications to support patient and staff education. return to top   

AMRTC recognized by Gov. Dayton

Gov. Mark Dayton and Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper on Aug. 16 recognized employees of Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center (AMRTC) for the successful completion of the Systems Improvement Agreement, returning the facility to full compliance with federal rules for hospital operations and patient care.   

The state-operated psychiatric hospital in Anoka treats patients with complex mental illnesses and behavioral health conditions. MHA served as a consultant, analyzing processes and systems and making recommendations for the corrective action plan.   

“We were pleased to partner with the Department of Human Services and Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center to ensure patient safety and improve the delivery of consistent, high-quality care in service of patients,” said Dr. Rahul Koranne, MHA’s chief medical officer. “These improvements will result in a stronger continuum of mental health services, which will benefit patients, families and communities across Minnesota.”   

MHA thanks quality and patient safety team member Tracy Radtke for her on-site work with DHS staff. return to top