In this issue
DHS schedules hospital discharge protocol conference call and road show
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has scheduled a conference call Wednesday, Aug. 1, to begin developing a new protocol that hospital discharge staff will be required to conduct for some older adults at high risk of nursing home placement. The new protocol becomes effective Oct. 1, 2012. Hospital discharge planners and health care home administrators are encouraged to participate to provide input into the protocol development.
In addition, DHS has scheduled a series of road shows for August and September to acquaint hospitals and other providers with the new protocol. The first two meetings are Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 9 to 11 a.m. at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale and Thursday, Aug. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul. A full list of stops is available here.
Details for the conference call:
Wednesday, Aug. 1 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Toll-free dial-in number: 888-742-5095
Conference Code: 9255185827
As of Oct. 1, hospital discharge planning responsibilities for older adults will include checking for high risk of nursing home admission or hospital readmission in the near future and referring older adults at high risk to the Senior LinkAge Line. This process is NOT for individuals on Medicaid, going into a nursing home for rehabilitation, or going into a nursing home because they need nursing home care. The requirement passed in the 2012 Health and Human Services omnibus bill (2012 Regular Session, Minnesota Session Laws, Chapter 247, Article 4, Sections 14 and 23).
Please contact Jen McNertney, MHA policy analyst, 651-659-1405 for more information. ^top of page
New laws effective Aug. 1
Beginning Aug. 1, the following state laws will be in effect:
- Intentional deprivation or neglect or abuse of vulnerable adults is a felony crime.
- "Safe place for newborns" program is expanded, increasing the timeframe newborns can be left from 72 hours after birth to seven days after birth. Newborns can be left at hospitals, urgent care facilities, or with an ambulance dispatched for this purpose.
- Controlled substances can now be electronically prescribed.
- Department of Human Services investigations of possible overpayments of public funds to a service provider can be made public.
- Automated drug distribution systems are authorized.
- Physicians can dispense drugs in pharmacies located in health professional shortage areas.
- Licensed pharmacists outside Minnesota providing medication therapy management to Minnesota residents are eligible for Medical Assistance reimbursement.
- Treatment options expanded for children who are deaf, deaf blind or hard-of-hearing and who need mental health treatment. ^top of page
Advanced diagnostic imaging accrediting requirements for hospitals
Hospitals may have received a postcard or communication from a national accrediting body indicating that you may be subject to new diagnostic imaging accrediting requirements as a result of legislation adopted during the 2012 legislative session. The postcard indicates that Medicare payments are at risk as a result of the new statutory requirement.
The Minnesota Hospital Association believes the postcard does not accurately reflect the requirements applicable to hospitals and is working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to confirm MHA’s position that a new state law does not require accreditation for hospitals to receive reimbursement from other payers.
In the unlikely event that MDH does not agree with MHA’s interpretation of the requirements, MHA will work with the Legislature to address the matter prior to the August 2013 effective date of the state accreditation requirement.
If you have questions, contact Ben Peltier, MHA vice president of legal services, 651-603-3513. ^top of page
Anthropologist, media ecologist and assistant professor Michael Wesch to speak at MHA Annual Meeting
Anthropologist, media ecologist and assistant professor at Kansas State University in Topeka Michael Wesch will speak at the Minnesota Hospital Association annual meeting on Sept. 22.
Wesch’s presentation, “The End of Wonder in the Age of Whatever,” will explore how new media and technology present us with an overwhelming bounty of tools for connection, creativity, collaboration and knowledge creation. But any enthusiasm about these remarkable possibilities is immediately tempered by an age in which people feel increasingly disconnected, disempowered, tuned out and alienated. Wesch will discuss the need to have the courage and capacity to truly wonder, to question our taken-for-granted assumptions, break down old models and be as willing to unlearn as we are to learn. These are all messages that resonate in the ever-changing field of health care.
The MHA Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 19-21 at Madden’s on Gull Lake in Brainerd.
For more information, view the full brochure or visit MHA’s website. Room reservations can be made online at www.maddens.com/mha.html.
Continuing Education
The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators has approved the conference content for a total of 11 clock hours. ^top of page
ECHO seeks feedback on programming to meet the needs of limited English proficiency communities
Emergency, Community, Health and Outreach (ECHO) Minnesota is asking for your opinions on program topics you think should be created to best meet the needs of the limited English proficiency (LEP) communities and those providing services to LEP community members. This is your opportunity to help shape ECHO’s educational programming for next year by taking this brief survey. Last year, the responses helped ECHO to find funding for: “Domestic Abuse and Your Safety,” “Voting and the Democratic Process,” and “Prevention of Youth Diabetes,” to name a few.
CLICK TO TAKE THE SURVEY
(You will have the option to take the Community Member or Service Provider survey.)
The “Service Provider Survey” will take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. Your opinions are anonymous. Feel free to forward it to friends and colleagues so they too may share their feedback and suggestions. Please complete the survey by Aug. 15.
ECHO will make a summary of results available later this year. To see last year’s results, click here. Any questions should be directed to info@echominnesota.org. ^top of page
Campaign aims to vaccinate physicians and providers against pertussis
Since Jan.1, there have been 1,881 reported cases of pertussis in Minnesota. Hospitals are urged join the Pertussis Protection Campaign and set a date for eligible physicians and health care personnel get the Tdap vaccine if they have not already done so. To participate, download a campaign kit and tracking form from the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (MAFP). The campaign runs now through Sept.10.
For more information, contact Lynn Balfour, MAFP executive director. MAFP welcomes your participation in this patient safety project. ^top of page