Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

November 25, 2013

MHA Newsline

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