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.
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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