Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

April 28, 2014

MHA Newsline: April 28, 2014

In this issue

Minnesota hospital programs, leaders honored

MHA honored innovative programs and outstanding leaders in health care at its 30th annual awards ceremony on Friday, April 25. The following awards were given for extraordinary achievement in categories ranging from advocacy on behalf of hospitals and volunteerism to innovation and improvement in patient care and patient safety. In the coming weeks, we will feature each of the winners so you can learn more about their exceptional work. Thank you to every MHA member who submitted nominations!  

Spirit of Advocacy

Michael Mahoney, Essentia Health, Duluth  

Best Minnesota Hospital Workplace (large and small hospital categories)

Mayo Clinic Health System in St. James

Fairview Lakes Health Services, Wyoming  

Community Benefit Award (large and small hospital categories)

Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin

New Ulm Medical Center, part of Allina Health

St. Joseph’s Area Health Services, Park Rapids

St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee  

Health Care Career Promotion Award

Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague

Public Achievement Award

Representative Thomas Huntley, Duluth  

Caregiver of the Year

Helen Bagshaw, CCRN, Winona Health

Good Catch for Patient Safety

Priscilla McLaughlin, Essentia Health-St. Mary's Children's Hospital, Duluth

Patient Safety Improvement (large and small hospital categories)

Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis

Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Detroit Lakes

Bruce and Denise Rueben Courage Award

Loren Morey, Lakewood Health System, Staples  

Trustee of the Year

Art Skarohlid, Fairview Northland Medical Center, Princeton  

Innovation of the Year in Patient Care

Fairview Ridges Hospital, Burnsville  

Volunteer of the Year

Ben Luense, Mayo Clinic Health System in Springfield  

Stephen Rogness Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Alan L. Goldbloom, CEO, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota  

Associate Member of the Year

Stinson Leonard Street LLP, Minneapolis

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MHA launches new Member Center

MHA is excited to reveal a new Member Center that provides resources and information specifically for MHA members. The Member Center is your connection to MHA, allowing you to manage your contact information, register for upcoming events and programs, search for MHA hospitals and employee members, and find contact information for your legislators to perform grassroots advocacy. You’ll also have access to timely member-only resources and documents.  

To access the Member Center, visit www.mnhospitals.org and click on “Login” at the top of the page. Once you login, a link to the Member Center will appear.

You will receive an email with a reminder of your username and a link to reset your password if you are unsure what it is later this week. If you have trouble logging in or need help resetting your username or password, contact Ashley Gauster, MHA member services and communications specialist, 651-603-3545. return to top  

Hospitals encouraged to align infection prevention efforts with CHAIN

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates across the nation, drawing heightened Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) attention to infection prevention as a patient safety issue. According to Hospital Compare data, Minnesota hospitals aggregately have one of the highest HAI rates for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and surgical site infections (SSI) for abdominal hysterectomy compared to hospitals across the nation. Not only do these HAI rates affect our patients, but also impact hospital bottom lines.  

The Collaborative Healthcare-Associated Infection Network (CHAIN), comprised of the Minnesota Department of Health, MHA, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and Stratis Health, coordinates statewide strategies to reduce and prevent HAIs in Minnesota. CHAIN has established the ambitious aim of zero preventable HAIs in Minnesota hospitals. This is the right thing to do, and is in concert with the CMS goal to reduce HAIs.  

We encourage you to align with our CHAIN HAI aim and support your hospital’s infection prevention efforts by:

  • Reviewing your hospital’s HAI data with your board, medical staff and senior leaders.
  • Allocating infection prevention resources necessary for the reduction of preventable HAIs.
  • Ensuring adequate training and resources for your infection prevention staff. Studies have demonstrated that hospital infection prevention programs led by a board certified infection preventionist have fewer HAIs.  
  • Implementing the CHAIN HAI Road Map, which guides evidence based practices related to hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, etc.
  • Ensuring your hospital’s active participation in HAI-related education events. CHAIN offers tools, technical assistance and support to hospitals.

For questions, contact Marilyn Grafstrom, MHA patient safety/quality specialist, 651-603-3515. return to top  

CMS proposes adoption of 2012 Life Safety Code

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would adopt the 2012 Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) for all certified providers and suppliers as well as the 2012 edition of the Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99). The deadline to submit comments to the proposed rule is June 16.  

CMS states that the 2012 edition of the Life Safety Code is aligned with the international building codes, which will make compliance across codes much simpler for Medicare and Medicaid-participating facilities. The new edition of the Life Safety Code applies to: hospitals, long term care facilities, critical access hospitals, Programs for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), religious non-medical healthcare institutions, hospice inpatient facilities, ambulatory surgical centers and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.  

MHA members are encouraged to review the proposed rule and submit comments or suggestions to Jen McNertney, MHA policy analyst, 651-659-1405 by Wednesday, June 11 for incorporation into MHA’s comment letter. return to top  

DHS hosts hospital presumptive eligibility meeting

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently hosted a meeting for MHA members to provide feedback on the proposed hospital presumptive eligibility (HPE) process. HPE will begin July 1, 2014.  

DHS provided the following timeline for the proposed HPE timeline and process:

  • DHS to send statement of interest letters to all Minnesota Health Care Programs-enrolled hospitals by mid-May
  • Hospital contract addendums for hospitals choosing to enroll in HPE to be available by June 1, 2014
  • HPE certification training (2 hours, online) will be available by June 1, 2014
  • HPE to begin July 1, 2014

The department also reviewed a draft paper application for the program. A paper application and manual process will be used as HPE is implemented and likely longer-term, as DHS works to integrate HPE into the larger MNsure technology.  

For more information contact Matt Anderson, MHA vice president of regulatory and strategic affairs, 651-659-1421 or Jen McNertney, MHA policy analyst, 651-659-1405. return to top  

Infection control and critical access hospital guidelines covered at upcoming MHA programs

Sue Dill Calloway, one of MHA’s most popular speakers, will provide a crosswalk of guidelines on infection control from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), The Joint Commission and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the CMS Conditions of Participation for Critical Access Hospitals at two upcoming programs.  

On June 12, Infection Control 2014: Complying with CMS, The Joint Commission and CDS Standards, will cover revised infection control standards and worksheets from CMS, The Joint Commission and the CDC. Areas of focus include specific departmental standards, reporting requirements and possible financial penalties as well as safe injection practices. View the brochure.  

On June 13, CMS Conditions of Participation for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) will address recent changes to the interpretive guidelines on direct services required, policies, outpatient, rehab, radiology, services required, equipment maintenance, qualified personnel, radiology records, emergency services, radiology safety, required lab tests and more. The program will cover all sections of the CAH manual and what to do when a surveyor arrives at your facility. View the brochure.  

Calloway is a Columbus, Ohio-based nurse attorney and health care consultant. The programs will be held at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth. For more information, visit MHA’s website, click on Education and log-in to register. return to top  

NAMI releases videos for hospital staff

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota (NAMI Minnesota) has released two new videos for hospital staff and patients. How to Help: Caring for Patients with a Mental Illness is targeted to staff to help them understand the experience of being hospitalized for a mental illness and how they can help during this difficult time. Stories of Recovery is targeted to patients and has people living with a mental illness sharing their stories of recovery after a hospitalization. Visit NAMI Minnesota’s website for more information. return to top  

Hospital decontamination training available

The University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin are offering a one-day hospital decontamination course geared toward hospital first receivers, emergency department personnel, hospital facilities, and safety/security personnel. The course include an extensive review of the incident command system, personal protective equipment (PPE), how to select the right PPE for decontamination, and how to put it on and take it off properly. A review of decontamination shelters and procedures, and hands on decontamination simulation is included.  All materials, equipment and CEU are provided. Space is limited.   

The event takes place at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin on May 12. Space is limited so register early. To register, call the UMN ticketing and events office, 612.624.2345 or register online under Emergency Preparedness. return to top    

Webinar: Understanding ACOs in Minnesota

The Minnesota Accountable Health Model is a joint effort between the Minnesota Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Health (MDH), funded by a testing grant from the State Innovation Model (SIM) Initiative through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). The goal of the Minnesota Accountable Health Model is to use these funds to drive health care reform in the state and to test new ways of delivering and paying for health care. One of the strategies in achieving this goal is expanding and accelerating the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) or ACO-like models.

This webinar will provide:

  • ACO or ACO-like model overview
  • ACOs’ link to the Minnesota Accountable Health Model
  • Introduction to Medicaid ACO models in Minnesota

Presenters: Marie Zimmerman, health care policy director, and Mathew Spaan, agency policy specialist, Minnesota Department of Human Services.

The webinar will take place Friday, May 9 at noon. Registration is required; click here to register. return to top