In this issue:
Daniel Kraft, Jim VandeHei and J.R. Martinez to speak at MHA Annual Meeting
Physician, scientist and IntelliMedicine founder Daniel Kraft, Politico co-founder Jim VandeHei and “Dancing with the Stars” alum J.R. Martinez will headline the Minnesota Hospital Association annual meeting.
Innovator Kraft will examine rapidly emerging, game changing and convergent technology trends and how they are and will be leveraged to change the face of health care and the practice of medicine in the next decade.
VandeHei is executive director of Politico, the highly influential political and news website Washingtonian Magazine recently hailed as a “media phenomenon.” With a close-up view of what really happens in Washington, he will bring us a frontline journalist’s insight and insider knowledge, covering the upcoming election.
Long before J.R. Martinez won legions of fans as the winner of “Dancing with the Stars,” he was inspiring audiences of all kinds with his remarkable story. As U.S. Army soldier deployed in Iraq, his vehicle hit a landmine and he suffered severe burns to 40 percent of his body. During his recovery, he spent time visiting other patients and sharing his story and listening to theirs. He has traveled the country to spread his message of resilience and optimism.
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; click on Events and log-in to register. 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
CMS clarifies requirements for CAH health information technology incentive and capital leases
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has more clearly defined their qualification requirements related to electronic health records (EHR) implementation criteria for meaningful use incentive payments. CMS will now allow for capital leases to be eligible. MHA had received reports from critical access hospitals (CAH) that per instructions from CMS, our fiscal intermediary Noridian was rejecting all forms of leases for the meaningful use incentive program. Thanks to your efforts informing MHA of the issue, and the American Hospital Association’s ability to influence CMS, these guidelines should clear the way for many CAHs to qualify for meaningful use incentive funding. CMS also posted an FAQ on the topic. For questions, contact Joe Schindler, MHA vice president of finance, 651-659-1415. ^top of page
New website will amplify your successes
A new website is in the works for the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA), and when it launches in August, it will provide an excellent platform for MHA to amplify the good work you’re doing. In addition to drawing statewide attention to hospital success stories, the website will be reorganized in a more user-friendly layout. You’ll find information for those within the hospital community as well as information you can share with your stakeholders. We’ve been collecting great stories from member hospitals, but if you have a success story or patient experience story you’d like to share, please email it to Sarah Ford, MHA communications specialist/writer. ^top of page
Collaborative day to focus on HAI prevention
MHA, the Minnesota Department of Health and Stratis Health are sponsoring a Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Collaborative Day on Sept. 7. This is a great opportunity for your teams to learn what’s new in HAI prevention, share what you are working on and take back information to implement HAI prevention strategies in your facility. This education opportunity will held at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth. To register please visit our website ^top of page
Training promotes community collaboration to provide breastfeeding support
Crow Wing County WIC, in partnership with Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, is hosting Building Bridges for Breastfeeding Duration on Aug. 16. The program, designed specifically for hospital staff, nurses, physicians, hospital administrators, community breastfeeding advocates, community health care providers, and WIC and public health staff, aims to promote collaboration between hospitals, WIC programs and community partners in providing lactation support services. Nationally recognized lactation educators will address multiple topics regarding the care and education of breastfeeding that hospital staff and community advocates face on a daily basis.
Program topics include national goals and initiatives for breastfeeding, pitfalls to getting breastfeeding off to a good start, and ideas for making breastfeeding help easier and quicker for staff while getting them involved.
The program is paid for by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Regional Office grant. The event is free, but space is limited so registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Lisa Eisel with Crow Wing County Community Services, 218-824-1351. A similar event will also be held in Bemidji on Aug. 15. ^top of page