Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

June 30, 2014

MHA Newsline: June 30, 2014

In this issue 

Hospital spotlight: Mayo Clinic Health System in St. James increases employee satisfaction

Mayo Clinic Health System in St. James was honored this spring with the 2014 MHA Best Minnesota Hospital Workplace Award in the small hospital category. Over the past two and a half years, thanks to a dedicated and engaged group of leaders and providers who truly function as a team, Mayo Clinic in St. James has become an “aligned work” family by implementing strategies around a culture of safety, trust and communication. Efforts such as leadership walk-arounds to engage staff in conversations about safety, culture and communication and an employee-led team that creates monthly activities to create fun in the workplace has contributed to a positive work environment. Employee satisfaction has improved from 58 percent in 2008 to 86 percent in 2013 and in the past two years just five employees have left for a job outside the organization. Read more about Mayo Clinic Health System in St. James and the other 2014 award winners herereturn to top   

MHA speaks out on recent nurses’ union activity

The Minnesota Nurses Association union staged a media stunt at North Memorial Medical Center last Tuesday. Hospitals can expect to see more of these kinds of events during election season in which the union continues to make unsupported claims to inflame public perception. In addition to responding to reporters from a statewide perspective about patient safety and the quality of care that Minnesota hospitals deliver, MHA is reaching out to legislators who attended the event. MHA will continue to share our record of quality improvement, cost savings to the health care system, and the compromise that resulted in the posting of nurse staffing levels on www.mnhospitalquality.org. Finally, MHA has submitted a guest column to the Sun Post community newspaper in the Robbinsdale area. To read MHA’s response, click herereturn to top   

Hospital Presumptive Eligibility begins July 1

Minnesota's hospital presumptive eligibility (HPE) program begins Tuesday, July 1, 2014. HPE gives qualified hospitals the opportunity to enroll patients they deem eligible into a temporary Medical Assistance (MA) program. The temporary MA program then covers the cost of patient care until the patient enrolls in full MA, is found ineligible for MA, or comes to the end of the HPE coverage time period.   

To participate in HPE, a hospital must be an enrolled provider with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), complete an addendum for the Minnesota Health Care Programs contract called an HPE Applicant Assurance Statement, and have at least two employees trained and certified to determine patient eligibility for HPE. Only hospital employees can make HPE determinations.   

MHA members are reminded that MHA is helping DHS hold weekly meetings through the end of July for members to provide feedback on HPE implementation. The meetings are for hospital employees who are working with the HPE program. The meetings will be held at the Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building in St. Paul and the next one is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1 from 10 to 11 a.m.    

MHA has posted a Frequently Asked Questions document in the MHA Member Center. DHS has also made information available online through the HPE Homepage, including links to the contract addendum and training.   

The Member Center is username and password protected. For login information, contact Ashley Gauster, member services and communications specialist, 651-603-3545. For more information on HPE or to RSVP for Tuesday’s meeting contact Jen McNertney, MHA policy analyst, 651-659-1405. return to top   

Member news: Regions Hospital president and CEO Brock Nelson to retire

HealthPartners SVP Megan Remark named successor 
Regions Hospital president and CEO Brock Nelson announced plans to retire at the end of 2014. Nelson began at Regions in 2003 after almost 20 years as CEO of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.  

HealthPartners has named specialty care leader Megan Remark as the new CEO. She has been with the organization for almost 20 years. Currently a member of the Regions senior leadership team, she has spent the last ten years leading the HealthPartners Specialty Care Division, leading major initiatives such as the development of the HealthPartners Specialty Centers, HealthPartners Cancer Care Centers and the Regions Hospital Breast Center.  

“Brock has led Regions through an era of tremendous change, setting a clear, strategic vision that has produced tremendous growth and improved quality and experience for patients,” said Mary Brainerd, president and CEO of HealthPartners. “Megan will continue that tradition.”    

Remark will work with Nelson in the next six months and officially start her position Jan. 1, 2015. return to top 

Member Center online directory expanded

The MHA online membership directory has been expanded to include member health care systems and the MHA Board of Directors.   

Use the online directory to find up-to-date information on all of MHA’s member hospitals and health care systems and contact information of key staff. The MHA Member Center features important resources and information specifically for members such as: 

  • A grassroots search engine, allowing you to find the contact information for your legislators by hospital or legislative committee; 
  • Members-only documents including key messages, fact sheets and legislative resources on pertinent hospital issues. 

Check the Member Center regularly for timely updates on critical health care issues, and in the coming months, essential election information.   

The Member Center is username and password protected. For login information, contact Ashley Gauster, member services and communications specialist. 651-603-3545. return to top  

Newsline schedule

Newsline will next be published Tuesday, July 8. return to top