In this issue
MHA
resources on Ebola preparedness
In conversations with member hospitals, an ongoing concern is
the availability and supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). MHA plans
to survey members to ensure we have a continuously updated inventory of
PPE to facilitate sharing for training and adequate supplies for the four
designated hospitals until national backorders of PPE are fulfilled.
In addition, MHA continues almost daily to post new resources from the
CDC, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as well as other states and
providers on our Ebola resource webpage.
The National Nurses United (NNU) and the Minnesota Nurses
Association (MNA) plan to hold an event on Nov. 12 at the
Capitol critical of Ebola preparedness. Two weeks ago, MHA staff
met with the MNA to hear their concerns about Ebola readiness. Minnesota’s
hospitals and health care systems are ready and mobilizing for Ebola, focusing
on the needs of patients and the protection of health care workers. Led by
physicians, nurses, infectious disease specialists, infection control officers,
patient safety officers, and emergency preparedness coordinators, Minnesota’s
hospitals are working deep within their organizations to put in place the
resources needed and safeguards for staff while continuing to serve our
patients and our communities.
MHA and MDH are regularly communicating and collaborating to make sure any
patient in Minnesota can be properly identified and isolated and transferred to
one of four hospitals designated for treatment. Collaboration has included
regular, ongoing meetings, information sharing, and planning with work groups
specific to personal protective equipment protocols, patient transfer
practices, and the handling of lab specimens.
Using patient flow charts provided by the CDC, Minnesota’s hospitals are
instituting patient flows meant to identify patients, isolate patients, and
then inform the hospital’s infectious disease team as well as state and federal
health care officials. This “identify, isolate and inform” method is considered
best practice.
Once this takes place, Minnesota’s hospitals will be collaborating to properly
and safely move the patient to the hospitals designated for Ebola care or, in
consultation with MDH and CDC, to one of the four federal bio-containment
facilities. return to top
Prevention
of Violence in Healthcare tool kit available
MHA extends our sincere wishes for the recovery of the injured
nurses at HealthEast St. John's Hospital in Maplewood as a result of a violent
patient last week. While the hospital is actively investigating the root cause
and contributing factors leading this patient to become violent, the situation
reinforces hospital and health system worker concerns about an increasing
number of violent incidents against staff.
MHA was part of a public-private coalition that met earlier this year to find
ways to prevent violence toward staff in health care settings and to provide
resources to hospitals, long-term care facilities and clinics to help them
identify risks for violence and put effective strategies in place to respond.
Resources include a gap analysis and a comprehensive tool kit containing sample
policies and procedures, articles, staff education tools and other documents
that facilities can use to educate their staff and their leaders. Sixty
hospitals have signed on to the initiative, and MHA encourages other to join.
You can learn more about the issue, upcoming educational webinars, and obtain
the violence prevention road map and Prevention of Violence in Healthcare tool kit
on the MHA website. The next
webinar will be on Tuesday,
Nov. 18 from 11 a.m.-noon CST. The link to
register for this free webinar is below.
Webinar link
Webinar ID:
793-855-386
return to top
Gov.
Dayton re-elected and Republicans take control of the MN House
Gov. Mark Dayton was re-elected to a second term last week and
Republicans gained majority control of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The Minnesota Senate was not up for re-election, so that body stays in DFL
hands with 39 DFL members and 28 Republican members.
House Republicans needed to gain seven seats to take the majority, and they
were able to pick up eleven seats. Ten of those 11 seats were in greater
Minnesota and one was in a suburban metro district.
- 2A: Former Rep.
Republican Dave
Hancock of Bemidji defeated Rep. Roger Erickson
- 10A: Republican Joshua Heintzman of
Nisswa defeated Rep. John
Ward
- 10B: Republican Dale Lueck of
Aitkin defeated Rep. Joe
Radinovich
- 11B: Republican Jason Rarick of
Brook Park defeated Rep. Tim
Faust
- 12A: Republican Jeff Backer of
Browns Valley defeated Rep. Jay
McNamar
- 14B: Former Rep. Republican Jim Knoblach of St. Cloud defeated
Rep. Zachary Dorholt
- 17A: Republican Tim Miller of
Prinsburg defeated Rep. Andrew
Falk
- 17B: Republican Dave Baker of
Willmar defeated Rep. Mary
Sawatzky
- 24B: Republican Brian Daniels of
Faribault defeated Rep. Patti
Fritz
- 27A: Republican Peggy Bennett of Albert
Lea defeated Rep. Shannon
Savick
- 56B: Republican Roz Peterson of
Lakeville defeated Rep. Will
Morgan.
The House will now be comprised of 72 Republicans and 62 DFL
members. House Republicans elected Rep. Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) speaker of the
house and Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) majority leader. House Democrats elected Rep.
Paul Thissen (D-Minneapolis) minority leader. return to top
26
new House members elected
Earlier this year, 15 members of the Minnesota House of
Representatives announced their plans to retire and not to seek re-election in
2014:
- 7A: Democrat Rep. Tom Huntley
is succeeded by Democrat Jennifer Schultz
- 19B: Democrat Rep. Kathy
Brynaert is succeeded by Democrat Jack Considine
- 20A: Republican Rep. Kelby
Woodard is succeeded by Republican Bob Vogel
- 26B: Republican Rep. Mike
Benson is succeeded by Republican Nels Pierson
- 30B: Republican Rep. David
FitzSimmons is succeeded by Republican Eric Lucero
- 34B: Republican Rep. Kurt
Zellers is succeeded by Republican Dennis Smith
- 35A: Republican Rep. Jim Abeler
is succeeded by Republican Abigail Whelan
- 44B: Democrat Rep. John Benson
is succeeded by Democrat Jon Applebaum
- 46B: Democrat Steve Simon is
succeeded by Democrat Cheryl Youakim
- 47A: Republican Ernie Leidiger
is succeeded by Republican Jim Nash
- 53B: Republican Rep. Andrea
Kieffer is succeeded by Republican Kelly Fenton
- 55A: Republican Rep. Mike Beard
is succeeded by Republican Bob Loonan
- 56A: Republican Rep. Pam Myra
is succeeded by Republican Drew Christensen
- 58A: Republican Rep. Mary Liz
Holberg is succeeded by Republican Jon Koznick
- 64B: Democrat Rep. Michael Paymar
is succeeded by Democrat Dave Pinto
All of the open seat elections were won by candidates of the
same political party as their predecessor.
Combined with the 11 Republicans that unseated current DFL Representatives,
there are now 26 new House of Representative members.
Of the 26 new House members, 5 are Democrats and 21 are Republicans; 38 of the
72 Republicans are from greater Minnesota and 34 are from the 11-county metro
area. return to top
Medicare
physician payment fee schedule includes payment for expanded telehealth
services
The 2015 Physician Payment Fee Schedule adds telemedicine
services eligible for payment, including some behavioral health services. The
following services have been added to Medicare’s list of eligible telehealth
services:
- CPT codes 90845
(Psychoanalysis); 90846 (family psychotherapy (without the patient
present); and 90847 (family psychotherapy (conjoint psychotherapy) (with
patient present);
- CPT codes 99354 (prolonged
service in the office or other outpatient setting requiring direct patient
contact beyond the usual service; first hour (list separately in addition
to code for office or other outpatient evaluation and management service);
and 99355 (prolonged service in the office or other outpatient setting
requiring direct patient contact beyond the usual service; each additional
30 minutes (list separately in addition to code for prolonged service);
and
- HCPCS codes G0438 (annual
wellness visit; includes a personalized prevention plan of service (pps),
initial visit; and, G0439 (annual wellness visit, includes a personalized
prevention plan of service (pps), subsequent visit).
The final rule continues requirements that the individual
receiving the services must be in an eligible originating site, interactive
telecommunication equipment must be used, and limits originating sites to those
located in rural health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) or in a county that
is not included in a metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). When this and other
requirements are met, Medicare pays an originating site fee to the originating
site and provides separate payment to the distant site practitioner furnishing
the service. The originating site fee is increasing by 0.8 percent.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is taking comments on this final
rule through Dec. 15. The rule is available online. return to top
Hospitals
encouraged to participate in initiative to improve CAUTIs in the ICU
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the
most common type of health care-associated infection. Hospitals are encouraged
to enroll ICUs to participate in On the Cusp: Stop CAUTI in the ICU. This
groundbreaking national initiative uses the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety
Program (CUSP) and evidence-based interventions to reduce CAUTI. Benefits to
ICUs include:
- Learn how to implement the CUSP
model
- Reduce or eliminate CAUTI
- Network with hospitals from
other states nationwide
- Interact with expert faculty
- Increase awareness of
appropriate catheter use in your unit
- Reduce indwelling urinary
catheter utilization in ICUs
- Reduce patient discomfort,
bacteriuria, and symptomatic UTIs
One to one coaching
Interested in enrolling or learning more? Contact Marilyn Grafstrom, MHA, 218-242-4964. return to top
Advance
Practice RNs must get separate license by Jan. 1, 2015
A new law now requires a separate license for Advance Practice
Registered Nurses (APRNs). All Minnesota APRNs must complete an application
process with the Minnesota Board of Nursing and be licensed by Jan. 1, 2015.
The four roles impacted by this law are Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS);
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA); Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM);
and Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP).
To become licensed, APRNs are required to hold a current Registered Nurse
license and submit documentation of successful completion of an acceptable
graduate APRN program and current certification as an APRN in a role and
population focus.
In addition to requiring APRN licensure, the new law removes the requirement
for a collaborative management plan and written prescribing agreement for
APRNs. CNS and CNPs will be required to practice for 2,080 hours within the
context of a collaborative agreement with a licensed CNS, CNP or physician who
has experience in providing care to patients with similar medical problems.
In the past, Minnesota did not require an APRN licensure, but required APRNs to
submit a copy of their certification to the Minnesota Board of Nursing, and
they were listed on the APRN Registry. Effective Jan. 1, 2015, all APRNs are
required to hold an APRN license and the APRN Registry will be obsolete.
More information can be found on the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s website.
Questions can be directed to Julie Sabo MN, RN, CNS, APRN specialist,
Minnesota Board of Nursing, 612-317-3013. return to top
DHS
schedules hospital-specific program on new background study requirements
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of
Inspector General will host a meeting on Wednesday, Nov.12 from 12:30 – 5 p.m.
at the Maplewood Community Center for hospital providers to discuss the background
studies changes that will be implemented in early 2015. The 2014 Minnesota
Legislature passed a law that will require fingerprints and a photograph for
those new employees who require a background study. Implementation of these
changes will begin in January and all provider types will be phased in by May
2015.
DHS indicates this meeting will build on the information provided in a series
of earlier programs about the new background study requirements. The meeting
will cover the overview that was given at the earlier meetings, but will
address more of the particulars that relate to the hospital providers,
recruiters and those who work with volunteers. The session will also include a
demonstration of the new NETStudy2.0.
There is no charge for attending and no pre-registration. Free parking is
available at the Community Center.
If you have questions about the new background study requirements of the
upcoming meeting you can contact Ben Peltier, MHA legal counsel, 651-603-3513.
More information is also available on the DHS website. return to top
MHA January Trustee Conference brochure
available
The brochure for the Minnesota Hospital Association’s (MHA’s)
Winter Trustee Conference is available online.
This year’s conference will offer participants seven general sessions and 15
breakouts on issues of governance, finance, patient safety and the future of
health care. Friday will also feature the popular 4-hour Training Camp for
Trustees.
The conference will be held Jan. 9-11, 2015 at the Minneapolis Marriott
Northwest in Brooklyn Park.
For more information, download the conference brochure. return to top
Deadline extended for submitting community benefit
information
In response to member hospital requests for additional time, MHA
has extended the deadline to Friday,
Nov. 21 for submitting your hospital’s community benefits
information to Minnesota Hospital Association to be used in this year’s
important Community Benefits Report (based on fiscal year 2013). Your
participation is critical to ensure the report accurately reflects regional and
statewide trends, and that all benefits hospitals have supplied to their
community are acknowledged. If your hospital did not receive e-mails regarding
the survey (sent out in October), please contact Bonnie
Terveer, 651-603-3520.
Please note, MHA is also requesting your hospital’s Form 990 be sent to Bonnie Terveer. return to top
Open appointments for 2015
The Minnesota Secretary of State has announced a number of
vacancies for state boards and councils beginning January 2015. Some of these
vacancies are seeking hospital representatives: the Trauma Advisory Council;
the Medical Services Review Board of the Department of Labor and Industry; and
the Advisory Committee on Heritable and Congenital Disorders. Others oversee
health care providers and are seeking provider participants, including the
Board of Nursing, the Board of Medical Practice, the Rural Health Advisory
Committee, and the Subcommittee on Children’s Mental Health. Other vacancies
are also available for health care providers, such as the MN Workers
Compensation Insurers' Association (Data Service Organization).
MHA members are encouraged to submit applications for these and other open
appointments. These entities have authority over how health care is regulated
in Minnesota. More information on additional vacancies and the application
process are available online. return to top
Resource for MHA members to post job openings
MHA members are reminded that, for a yearly subscription fee,
they can post unlimited postings through the Minnesota hospital jobs website.
Participating MHA member hospitals and health systems can promote current job
openings while allowing health care professionals to apply to the hospital that
best fits her/his experience, specialty and interest. By showcasing
individual facility and job openings, hospitals are
better positioned to attract qualified and quality candidates that
are ultimately steered directly to the appropriate employment application
process.
Key benefits of the Minnesota hospital jobs website include:
- Provides a cost and time
effective method to capture your target market;
- targets health care
professionals and physicians;
- allows candidates to apply
directly into a hospital’s application process;
- frees hospital budgets from
less effective forms of advertising;tracks the number of visitors
and job views as an return of investment tool; and
- provides a niche site for
Minnesota hospitals and health systems.
To participate/subscribe to this service, please
contact Brian Bauer, president, DirectSource Media, 866-870-4885, ext. 801. return to top