In this issue
Hospitals
battle the invisible risk – Clostridium difficile
Minnesota hospitals are using a two-pronged approach to battle an
invisible enemy that poses a risk to patient safety. Clostridium difficile
(known as C. diff) is a microscopic bacterium that can't be seen with the naked
eye. C. diff can cause diarrhea that can progress to colitis, colon perforation
and sepsis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), C. diff is
fatal to approximately 14,000 Americans annually. The Minnesota Hospital
Association has been fortunate to work with United Hospital in St. Paul, part
of Allina Health, on the prevention of C.diff transmission in health care
settings through its Leading Edge Advanced Practice Topics work. The program
involves rapid tests of innovation that will be spread across the state and the
nation. To watch a video and learn more about the leading-edge work happening
in Minnesota to prevent the transmission of C. diff, click here. return to top
Hospitals
now required to provide notice to sexual assault victims
Hospitals are now required to provide a notice to sexual assault
victims containing information about their crime victim rights, payment
obligation for the forensic sexual assault exam, civil protective order
options, and supportive resources. Hospitals must make a good faith effort to
provide this notice prior to the medical forensic examination, providing that
the patient’s emergent medical needs are first addressed, according to the
provisions of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act
(EMTALA).
This legislation was prompted by the recognition that not all sexual assault
victims make a report to the police or connect with a sexual assault program.
As a result, they may not be aware of their rights or critical support services
and resources that can assist with recovery. In addition, many victims do not understand
that while the cost of the forensic exam must be paid by the county in which
the crime occurred, other expenses related to the care provided at the hospital
are not.
The notice is a brochure titled Sexual
Assault Victims: Your Rights and Resources and is designed to
provide comprehensive and consistent information to all sexual assault victims
seeking services from Minnesota hospitals. The aim of the notice is to reduce
confusion and ensure victims know where to get help.
The brochure is customizable for hospitals to add contact information for their
local sexual assault program. Local sexual assault programs and domestic
violence services can be found on the RapeHelpMN.org website. Hospitals are
encouraged to coordinate with their local advocacy programs to determine what
contact information should be included on the brochure.
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) in the Department of Public Safety
developed the brochure in conjunction with the Minnesota Coalition Against
Sexual Assault, the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of
Forensic Nurses, the Minnesota Hospital Association and insurance companies.
A downloadable version of the brochure can
be found on the OJP website. To request the editable file for
customization contact Suzanne Elwell, crime victim justice unit
director, Office of Justice Programs. return to top
MHA
members help Minnesota save $10.5 million in first year of IHP program
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) health care
reform demonstration project, called Integrated Health Partnerships (IHP),
saved the state $10.5 million in its first year. IHP, formerly known as Health
Care Delivery System (HCDS) demonstrations, serves 100,000 Medical Assistance
beneficiaries.
“MHA is pleased to see this level of savings and demonstrated success generated
from provider-based innovations in care delivery,” said Lawrence Massa, MHA
president and CEO. “This success provides further evidence that giving more
flexibility to health care providers to work with their patients to coordinate
care and manage chronic diseases improves care and saves money.”
MHA has actively supported this shared savings reform initiative, working with
DHS to draft the enabling legislation, refine the program’s Request for
Proposals (RFP) process, and encourage hospitals and health systems to consider
participating.
The six initial members in the IHP program include MHA members:
- Children’s Hospitals and
Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis
- Essentia Health, Duluth
- CentraCare Health, Saint Cloud
- North Memorial Health Care,
Robbinsdale
- The Northwest Metro Alliance, a
partnership between Allina Health and HealthPartners
Three additional providers joined the program this year,
including MHA members Hennepin Healthcare System, Minneapolis and Mayo Clinic,
Rochester.
For more information, see the press release. return to top
Independent
Payment Advisory Board unlikely for 10 years
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its analysis of Medicare spending growth and
concluded the trigger for convening the new Independent Payment Advisory Board
(IPAB) is unlikely to occur within the next 10 years. The Affordable Care Act
(ACA) called for the appointment of the IPAB and authorized it to impose an
estimated $13 billion worth of Medicare payment cuts to providers if cost
growth exceeds certain rates. For Minnesota Hospital Association members, the
IPAB provisions of the ACA were particularly concerning because they put
Medicare payments at risk based on decisions by unelected officials without
sufficient congressional oversight.
For more information about the ACA or IPAB, contact Matt
Anderson, MHA senior vice president of policy and strategy,
651-659-1421. return to top
State
Innovation Model grants awarded
MHA members were among those awarded e-health grant funds under
Minnesota’s State Innovation Model (SIM) initiative. SIM awarded $3.8 million
in grants to help 12 community collaboratives use e-health to promote health
and improve care coordination. The grants are designed to connect care team
members from different health care settings and use health information exchange
and technology to better meet the health needs of patients and community
members. MHA member Winona Health received an implementation grant. Southern
Prairie Community Care, a collaborative in southwest Minnesota including MHA
members, also received an implementation grant. Fairview Foundation received a
development grant for the older adult services provider Ebenezer.
Community collaboratives needed to include at least one partner from local
public health departments, long-term and post-acute care, behavioral health and
social services. They also needed to include at least two or more organizations
participating or planning to participate in an accountable care organization
(ACO). A key goal of the SIM is to test whether ACO payment arrangements
improve care and reduce costs.
The collaborative will primarily use the grant funds to incorporate health
exchange information into their communities, establish a connection with one of
Minnesota’s six State-Certified HIE Service Providers and hire staff to
determine how partners can exchange medical and health information.
For more information, click here. return to top
SIM
grant regional meetings scheduled
The Minnesota Departments of Health and Human Services are
holding regional meetings to discuss Minnesota’s State Innovation Model (SIM)
grant. The meetings will introduce community members to Minnesota’s Accountable Health Model, related
SIM grant funding opportunities and encourage attendees to connect with
potential local partners to better coordinate health care, social services and
support programs. MHA encourages members to attend and learn more about funding
opportunities to create community-based accountable care partnerships.
Meeting locations and times:
- Willmar July 28, 11-1 p.m.
Rice Memorial Hospital, 301 Becker
Ave. S.W.
- Saint Paul
July 28, 3-5 p.m.
Dellwood Gardens, 753 E. 7th
St.
- Owatonna
July 29, 3-5 p.m.
Steele County Admin. Bldg. 630
Florence Ave.
- North Branch
July 30, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
AmericInn Lodge & Suites,
38675 14th Ave.
- Fergus Falls
July 30, 3-5 p.m.
Otter Tail County Admin. Bldg. 520
Fir Ave. W.
- Grand Rapids
July 31, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Blandin Foundation, 100 N.
Pokegama Ave.
- Minneapolis
Aug. 5, 3-5 p.m.
Sabathani Community Center, 310 E.
38th St.
- Worthington
TDB
- Shakopee
TBD
The SIM grant is a $45 million, three-year federal grant to help Minnesota’s
providers and communities work together to promote health and improve care
coordination for Minnesotans.
For more information contact Sida Ly-Xiong, MDH, 651-201-4414. return to top
DEED
kicks off statewide broadband tour
The Office of Broadband Development, part of the Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), will hold
informational meetings throughout the state on the Broadband Grant Program. The
grant program will fund the building-out of infrastructure to promote expansion
of broadband service to unserved or underserved areas of the state. Meetings
will provide an update on the application process for grant projects and will
gather feedback from community members.
Meetings are scheduled for:
- Baxter
July 28, 1:30-3 p.m.
The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, 6967
Lake Forest Rd.
- Eveleth
July 30, 1:30-3 p.m.
4261 Hwy. 53
- Wyoming
Aug. 6, 1:30-3 p.m.
Wyoming Library, 26855 Forest
Blvd.
- Crookston
Aug. 19, 2-3:30 p.m.
U of M-Crookston, 2900 University
Ave., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, 2nd floor
- Owatonna
Aug. 22, 1:30-3 p.m.
Southern Minnesota Initiative
Foundation, 525 Florence Ave.
- Perham
Aug. 26
TBD
The meetings are open to the public. For more information, click here. return to top
“All
Things Medicare” Roadshow travels to Minnesota
National Government Services will be hosting one-day seminars in
Minneapolis and Duluth this fall to help navigate Medicare topics and provide
an opportunity for peers and vendors from across the state to network. Topics
include: exploring the four parts of Medicare, understanding patient referrals,
physician orders and certifications, and a Q&A panel session. New and
established Medicare Part A, B, HH+H, and DMEPOS providers/suppliers, billing
staff, leads and managers are encouraged to attend.
Registration is limited; click the links below to register:
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