In this issue
Wishing
you a Happy Thanksgiving
The board and staff of
MHA wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. Special thanks to hospital
staff who sacrifice time away from their families to provide high quality care
to patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We are thankful for
you. return to top
Hospital
spotlight: MN hospitals get national recognition for work to prevent sepsis
On a national call for hospital engagement networks and
hospitals involved in the Leading Edge Advanced Practice Topics (LEAPT), St. Cloud
Hospital was recognized for its leadership in working to prevent sepsis. Dr.
Scott Davis, head of the intensive care unit at St. Cloud Hospital shared that
the hospital began the pioneering sepsis prevention work of the Society for
Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) in 2004. The hospital estimates that its
application of the SCCM work has saved more than 400 lives. St. Cloud Hospital
is one of three mentor hospitals to MHA in its LEAPT sepsis prevention work.
Minnesota hospitals are fortunate to have leadership from St. Cloud Hospital,
Ridgeview Medical Center and Avera Health as we work to improve the recognition
and treatment of sepsis. return to top
Federal legislation to strengthen drug compounding
practices passes House and Senate
Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, along with leaders from House and
Senate committees of jurisdiction, moved a compromise bill through Congress
that aims to improve the safety of compounded drugs and the security of the
drug supply chain.
The Drug Quality and Security Act, H.R. 3204, clarifies oversight
responsibilities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over mainly large-volume
sterile facilities, or outsourcing facilities. Hospitals that choose to remain
traditional compounding pharmacies will continue to be primarily regulated by
the state Boards of Pharmacy. However, for the first time, hospitals will have
the option of buying compounded products from FDA-regulated facilities that
they know are safe.
The bill includes the following key provisions:
-
Outsourcing facilities will be
allowed to register with the FDA and have their status publicized on the
agency’s website. Registered facilities will be required to comply with
certain practices and labeling requirements; report adverse events;
undergo risk-based inspections; and pay fees.
- Requires improvements in the
communication between the states and FDA in the event of problems with
compounded drug products produced by traditional compounding pharmacies.Creates a “track and trace”
system by establishing nationwide drug serial numbers within four years
and electronic unit-level tracing within a decade. This system is designed
to track most prescription drugs from the manufacturer to the dispenser.
- Strengthens licensure
requirements for wholesale distributors and third-party logistics
providers.
For questions, contact
Ann Gibson,
MHA vice president of federal relations and workforce, 651-603-3527. return to top
Community
paramedic forum
On Monday, Dec. 2, the Minnesota Ambulance
Association is hosting a Community Paramedic Forum to inform emergency medical
service agencies, physicians, providers, hospital CEOs, health insurance
companies and others about the community paramedic program. The forum will
provide a background of the community paramedic curriculum, how community
paramedics are working in our communities, legislation and reimbursement
related to community paramedics. The forum will take place from 12:30 – 4:30
p.m. at the United Hospital Conference Hall in St. Paul. To register, click here. To learn more about community
paramedics, click here. return to top