Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

August 04, 2014

MHA Newsline: Aug. 4, 2014

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