In this issue
Spreading
#FluTruths: Debunking six misconceptions about the flu shot
Each year, the influenza virus sends thousands of Americans to
the hospital, including 4,202 Minnesotans in 2014. How? Because the flu spreads
easily.
But there is hope: Getting sick from the flu can be prevented by receiving the
annual flu shot. The flu
shot is the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from the flu virus, and
anyone over the age of six months is eligible to receive it.
Unfortunately, a lot of confusion surrounds the flu shot. This causes many
Americans to opt out of receiving it, putting not only themselves at risk but
also those around them. We know that it can be overwhelming trying to sift
through the facts to learn the truth about the flu, so Minnesota’s Hospitals have enlisted some
flu vaccination experts to simplify things for you.
Visit the Minnesota's Hospitals: Strengthening Healthy Communities website to see Minnesota doctors set the
record straight about six of the most common misconceptions about the flu and
the vaccine. Then visit us on Facebook to share
what you've learned about the flu shot using the hashtag #FluTruths. Like the Minnesota’s Hospitals Facebook page
to get regular updates on how Minnesota’s hospitals work beyond physical walls
to strengthen the health of Minnesotans and our communities. return to top
New
open appointments for health care-related members of state boards and
committees
The Minnesota secretary of state has posted open appointments
for vacancies beginning Jan. 1, 2016, with some currently available. A number
of governmental boards and advisory committees have vacancies for health care
providers, including hospitals and health systems.
The following entities have openings for hospitals/health systems:
- The Trauma Advisory Council has
six seats open, including one neurosurgeon, Level I or II trauma hospital;
one hospital administrator, Level III or IV hospital, rural area; one
trauma surgeon, Level I or II trauma hospital; one general surgeon,
trauma, rural area; one trauma program manager/coordinator, Level III or
IV hospital; and one nurse practitioner or physician assistant, Level IV
hospital, rural.
- The MDH Advisory Committee on
Heritable and Congenital Disorders needs one birth hospital
representative.
- The Medical Services Review
Board Department of Labor and Industry, Rehabilitation and Medical Affairs
needs one hospital representative.
- The Minnesota e‐Health Advisory Committee has
four openings, including one clinical research, one clinic manager, one
nurse representative and one health system chief information officer.
- The Newborn Hearing Screening
Advisory Committee has 11 vacancies including one birth hospital
representative, urban; one birth hospital representative, rural; one
pediatric geneticist; one audiologist; one primary care provider; and one
otolaryngologist.
- The Rural Health Advisory
Committee has six open seats including one hospital representative, one
mid‐level practitioner, one long‐term health care provider and
one physician.
- The State Advisory Council on
Mental Health Subcommittee on Children’s Mental Health is seeking one
hospital‐based
provider.
In addition, the Minnesota Board of Nursing has four seats
available, including two registered nurses; one registered nurse, advanced
practice; and one licensed practical nurse.
Finally, these additional entities have vacancies that are of interest to
health care providers:
- Advisory Committee to the
Program Committee of the Health Professionals Services Program
- Advisory Council on Licensed
Traditional Midwifery Minnesota, Board of Medical Practice
- Athletic Trainer's Advisory
Council
- Board of Behavioral Health and
Therapy
- Board of Dentistry
- Board of Examiners for Nursing
Home Administrators
- Board of Marriage and Family
Therapy
- Board of Medical Practice
- Board of Optometry
- Board of Pharmacy
- Board of Psychology
- Emergency Medical Services
Regulatory Board
- Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian
Advisory Council
- Environmental Health Tracking
and Biomonitoring Advisory Panel
- Formulary Committee (for
Medical Assistance)
- Health Care Homes Advisory
Committee
- Maternal and Child Health
Advisory Task Force
- Minnesota Board of Social Work
- Minnesota Board on Aging
- Minnesota Workers Compensation
Insurers' Association
- Occupational Safety and Health
Advisory Council
- Occupational Therapy
Practitioners Advisory Council
- Ombudsman Committee for Mental
Health and Developmental Disabilities
- Physician Assistant Advisory
Council Board of Medical Practice
- Rehabilitation Review Panel
Department of Labor And Industry, Workers' Compensation Division
- Respiratory Care Advisory
Council
- State Advisory Council on
Mental Health
For more information about these open appointments and to apply,
please visit the secretary of state’s website. return to top
New
Mental Health Community Partners Network
launches
A new networking opportunity for hospitals, clinics and
community partners serving patients with mental illness is available through
the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI).
The Mental Health Community Partners Network will provide an opportunity to
plan for optimal care transitions for patients with mental illness. Events
and subject-specific webinars will be offered from January to August 2016 on
the topic of care transitions for the following patient population groups:
- Patients admitted to an
inpatient psychiatric hospital unit
- Those with acute conditions and
known mental health diagnoses
- Patients with chronic disease
who develop mental health conditions
- Those who are newly diagnosed
with serious mental illness
The first networking event will take place on
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, from 1-4 p.m. at the Maplewood Community Center.
Learn more about the event and sign
up; registration closes on Wednesday, Jan. 20. For more information,
contact Jill Kemper, ICSI, 952-858-8991. return to top