In this issue
MHA
members named to Blue Ribbon Committee
Governor Dayton appointed four MHA members to the recently
established Blue Ribbon Committee, responsible for
advising the legislature on strategies and state investments to ensure the University
of Minnesota Medical School is a national leader in medical training, research
and innovation.
Named to the committee are:
- Mary Maertens, CEO, Avera
Marshall
- Jon Pryor, CEO, Hennepin County
Medical Center
- Rulon Stacy, CEO, Fairview
Health Services
- David Abelson, M.D., senior
executive vice president, HealthPartners and CEO, Park Nicollet Health
Services
The committee will deliver specific recommendations for the 2015
legislative session focused on the goals of maintaining national prominence,
sustaining nation-leading research and innovation, expanding clinical services
to be a statewide health care resource, and addressing the state’s health
workforce needs to serve Minnesota’s broad continuum of health care needs. return to top
New
laws in effect
As of Aug. 1, several new laws related to hospitals and health
care systems are now in effect:
- Most currently licensed
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are now allowed to practice
independently and prescribe independently without a collaborative
management agreement with a physician. Newly graduated APRNs must have a
2,080 hour post-graduate collaborative agreement before an independent
practice is allowed. The new law clarifies that nurse anesthetists are
required to practice under a collaborative plan with a physician when
treating acute and chronic pain; and when treating pain, a nurse
anesthetist will continue to need a written prescribing agreement with a
physician who works at the same licensed facility.
- Minnesota’s minimum wage
increased to $8.00 per hour for large employers, defined as businesses
with annual gross volume of sales or business transacted of at least
$500,000. This includes health systems and hospitals. Effective Aug. 1,
2016 large employers will need to pay a minimum wage of $9.50 an hour and
small employers, those defined with annual sales of less than $500,000,
will need to pay at least $7.75 an hour. Starting in 2017, the minimum
wage will be indexed to inflation unless the commissioner of labor and
industry determines a raise will negatively affect the state’s economy
during an economic downturn.
- The Provider Peer Grouping
(PPG) program at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is suspended.
MDH has convened a work group to make recommendations on expanded uses,
beyond the four specified uses included in the legislation, of the
All-Payer Claims Database (APCD). MHA has two appointments serving on the
APCD work group: Kathryn Correia, president & CEO of HealthEast Care
System and Mark Sonneborn, MHA vice president of information
services.
- The newborn screening program
at MDH will be able to store newborn blood spot tests and results
indefinitely. The blood spots will be available to parents and physicians
should a health condition arise in a child later in life. Prior to the
enactment of this legislation, MDH was able to store the newborn screen
blood spot for only 71 days as a result of the Minnesota Supreme Court
decision Bearder vs.
State of Minn.
- Often referred to as “Steve’s
Law,” Minnesota has a new law to allow certain non-health care
professionals to administer Narcan - a medication that can counteract a
drug overdose. The bill also provides some immunity from prosecution if an
individual provides emergency medical care in the case of a drug
overdose.
- Part of the newly passed
Women’s Economic Security Act that requires businesses to obtain a
certificate of pay equity compliance if that business has a contract with
the state valued at more than $500,000 in now in effect. Medical
Assistance and MinnesotaCare payments are not subject to the pay equity
compliance certification provisions. Hospitals and other health care
providers that contract with the state for the provision of services other
than Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare could be subject to the pay
equity compliance certification process if the contract exceeds
$500,000.
For a comprehensive listing of new laws, visit the MHA Member Center and download the 2014 MHA
Legislative Report. The Member Center is username and password protected.
Contact Ashley Gauster, member services and communications coordinator,
651-603-3545 for login information.
For questions, contact Kristin Loncorich, MHA government relations
director, 651-603-3526 or Mary Krinkie, MHA vice president of government
relations, 651-659-1465. return to top
Hospitals
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.
The brochure titled Sexual
Assault Victims: Your Rights and Resources 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
New
QIO contract, Medicare forms need updating
KEPRO is now the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality
Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) for Minnesota, assuming the
responsibilities from Stratis Health.
This aligns with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS)
restructuring to separate Quality Improvement Organizations medical case review
from quality improvement work. Under this new structure, one group of QIOs will
handle complaints, while another will provide technical assistance to providers
and suppliers.
Health care providers and Medicare beneficiaries must now contact KEPRO at
1-855-408-8557 to TTY: 1-877-486-2048 for all appeals requests and Quality of
Care concerns.
Steps health care providers must take due to this change include:
For questions contact BetsyJeppesen, Stratis Health vice president of operations,
952-853-5810. return to top
NQF
highlights RARE Campaign achievements
The National Quality Form (NQF) is showcasing the topic of
readmissions on its homepage and the successes of the RARE Campaign were
selected to be highlighted. NQF and The Joint Commission award the John M.
Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award to recognize major achievements of
organizations to improve patient safety and health care quality. A recipient of
the award in 2013, the RARE Campaign has prevented 7,975 avoidable hospital
readmissions since 2011 and saved an estimated $70 million in health care
costs. Click here to view a video highlighting the successes
of the RARE Campaign. return to top
Emerging
Professions Integration Grant Program seeks applicants
As part of the State Innovation Model (SIM) project, the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking applicants for the Emerging
Professions Integration Grant Program. The grant program aims to foster
emerging professions such as community health worker or community paramedic
into the workforce in roles that support the broad goals of the Minnesota Accountable Health Model and provide
coordinated care across settings for complex patients, populations and models
of accountable care.
Up to $120,000 will be available for four grants up to $30,000 each to support
the integration of an emerging professional. Eligible applicants are any type
of organization that has the capacity to employ an emerging professional.
An informational call will be held Aug. 6 from 3 to 4 p.m. Dial 1-888-742-5095,
passcode: 5163675926 to participate.
Additional information and the application can be found here. Applications are due Sept. 19 by 4 p.m.
For questions, contact Kay Herzfeld, MDH health policy,
651-201-3846. return to top
Workplace
violence prevention campaign kicks off
A private-public coalition of health care stakeholders has
formed to prevent workplace violence towards staff in health care settings and
to provide resources to hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and other
facilities to help identify risks for violence and put effective strategies in
place.
Thirty four facilities have signed on to participate, the majority of which are
hospitals. An introductory webinar had nearly 200 participants, indicating a
high level of interest in addressing workplace violence in health care. There
is still time for your organization to commit to the campaign.
The next monthly webinar will be Sept. 9 and will focus on prevention.
Registration information is to come.
More information, including links to the commitment form, gap analysis and tool
kit are available on MHA’s website and MDH’s website. For questions, contact Julie Apold,
MHA senior director of patient safety, 651-603-3538. return to top
Ian
Morrison and Kevin O’Connor to speak at MHA Annual Meeting
The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) will
offer presentations from author, consultant and futurist Ian Morrison, Ph.D.
and Kevin O’Connor, author, executive coach and professional speaker, as part
of its annual meeting.
A favorite at MHA conferences, Ian Morrison will focus on the political, economic
and strategic context of change in health care, describe the possible scenarios
we face and examine how the various actors are preparing for the future. He
will identify the leadership challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and
provide strategic insights on how organizations and individuals can flourish in
the future.
During a special ACHE Face-to-Face session, “Possibilities, Probabilities and
Creative Solutions: Breakthrough Thinking for Complex Environments,” Kevin
O’Connor will provide participants with creative leadership approaches to
solving complex, multidimensional challenges by realizing better bottom-line
results with breakthrough strategies that incorporate innovation and
creativity. This session is assigned 3.0 ACHE Face-to-Face education credits.
The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators has approved
the conference content for a total of 9.25 clock hours.
The MHA Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 17-19 at Madden’s on Gull Lake in
Brainerd. For more information, view the full brochure
or visit MHA’s website, log-in and click on “Calendar
of Events” to register. Reserve your room at Madden's here. Those staying offsite can order meals here. The deadline for accommodations at
Madden’s is Aug. 18. return to top