Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

September 21, 2015

MHA Newsline: Sept. 21, 2015

In this issue 

New child and adolescent psychiatric specialty hospital opens in Brooklyn Park

PrairieCare has opened a new child and adolescent psychiatric specialty hospital in Brooklyn Park. PrairieCare Brooklyn Park is home to a 50-bed child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit in addition to outpatient clinic services. The 72,000-square-foot facility features 50 single occupancy rooms and two psychiatric intensive care units, as well as a meditation room and indoor and outdoor play areas for kids.   

“We frequently are forced to turn patients away because our facility is at capacity,” said Dr. Joel Oberstar, CEO of PrairieCare. “Patients in crisis then wait in emergency departments around the state. The system is strained, leaving families without choice. When a bed opens up they take it, even if it sometimes means driving four hours or more for their child to receive treatment. Our increased capacity means more children and adolescents will be able to get mental health treatment close to home.” return to top   

MDH to host webinars on requirements of new workplace violence prevention law

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will host a two-part webinar series on the new workplace violence prevention law. The first webinar will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The second webinar has yet to be scheduled.   

The goal of these webinars is to prepare hospitals to meet the new requirements and answer questions about the law. The topics for the first webinar will be: 

  • Overview of the law 
    • Requirements 
    • Timeline 
  • Violence Prevention Committee Set-up 
    • Who is on the committee? 
    • What is the scope? 
    • Examples from sites that have done it 

Please note that the new law applies only to hospitals. While the webinars are open to all, they will focus on the requirements of the law for hospitals in Minnesota.   

Register online to attend the webinars. For more information, contact Nora Vernon, quality/safety clinical specialist, MHA, 651-603-3507 or Rachel Jokela, adverse health events program director, MDH, 651-201-5807. return to top   

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation to present annual conference on addiction medicine

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation's Professionals in Residence program will present its second annual educational conference, “Addiction Medicine for the Primary Care Provider,” on Dec. 3 and 4 at the University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis.   

At the conference, leading experts in the field of addiction treatment will focus on the latest thinking and best practices for identifying and managing substance use disorders and to address emerging issues around: 

  • Opioid prescriptions and addiction 
  • Addiction among adolescent girls and women 
  • Co-occurring disorders 

The conference is intended for primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, residents, fellows, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Visit the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation website to learn more and register. return to top   

DHS substance use disorder listening sessions scheduled for fall

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division is holding seven regional meetings to discuss improving Minnesota’s service continuum for individuals with substance use disorders and the prevention of substance abuse.   

MHA members are encouraged to attend the meetings and share their views on the state’s role for treating Minnesotans with substance use disorders.   

The meeting schedule is as follows: 

  • Friday, Sept. 25 3-5 p.m. Rondo Community Library, St. Paul
  • Tuesday, Sept. 29 3-5 p.m. Rochester Public Library, Rochester
  • Tuesday. Oct. 6 4-6 p.m. Kilowatt Center, Granite Falls
  • Thursday, Oct. 15 3-5 p.m. Gunderson Commons, Thief River Falls
  • Friday, Oct. 16 1-3 p.m. Legacy Hall, Fergus Falls
  • Friday, Oct. 30 3-5 p.m. Sabathani Center, Minneapolis
  • Friday, Nov. 6 3-5 p,m. EPA, Duluth

View the flier to learn more. For more information contact Jacob Owens, DHS, 651-431-2237. return to top   

DHS announces new leader for state-operated treatment programs

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has named Daniel Anderson as its new health systems chief executive officer. His new role will include strategic direction and oversight of 20 mental health and chemical dependency treatment programs in Minnesota, including the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter and the Anoka- Metro Regional Treatment Center. 

Previously, Anderson served as president and chief operating officer and spent more than 30 years as a health care administrator for Fairview Community Health Systems. He will start his new position at DHS in October. 

“I’m excited to bring on board someone with Daniel’s depth of experience,” said Lucinda Jesson, DHS commissioner, who announced his appointment on Sept. 14. “His leadership will be invaluable as we work to ensure we’re providing the people we serve with the highest quality of care.” return to top