Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

November 09, 2015

MHA Newsline: Nov. 9, 2015

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 websitereturn 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