Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

June 10, 2015

MHA honored for commitment to health care quality

American Hospital Association Award recognizes leadership in improving patient safety

The American Hospital Association (AHA) has recognized the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) for its leadership and innovation in health care quality improvement and patient safety. The Dick Davidson Quality Milestone Award is given to state, regional or metropolitan hospital associations that demonstrate leadership and innovation in quality improvement and contribute to national health care improvement efforts.   

“Providing quality care and keeping patients safe is paramount for all hospitals,” said Rich Umbdenstock, AHA president and CEO. “The leadership shown by the Minnesota Hospital Association and their members should be emulated by all hospitals and health systems as they strive to provide quality care and improve patient safety.”   

MHA is involved in a number of actions to continue reaching an even higher level of performance. A nation-leading adverse health events reporting system, multiple patient safety calls to action, and development of new methods of measuring quality demonstrates MHA’s commitment to quality and patient safety.   

Work to prevent pressure ulcers; eliminate early elective deliveries; reduce preventable hospital readmissions; create a safety culture; prevent falls; prevent healthcare associated infections and adverse drug events have saved more than 13,000 patients from harm and more than $93 million in health care costs over the past three years.   

“Minnesota hospitals endeavor every day to provide the highest quality care we can for our patients. As a hospital community, we are working hard every day to make it better,” said Lawrence Massa, president and CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association. “Our innovative, high-performing member hospitals have set the bar high for patient care.”   

The award will be presented to MHA on July 23 at the 2015 Health Forum-AHA Leadership Summit in San Francisco.   

About the American Hospital Association
The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities.  The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care.  Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.  For more information, visit www.aha.org

About the Minnesota Hospital Association
The Minnesota Hospital Association represents 143 hospitals and health systems, which provide quality care for their patients and meet the needs of their communities. For more information, visit www.mnhospitals.org.