In this issue:
Former U.S. HHS Secretary Donna Shalala and health care futurist Joe Flower to speak at MHA Annual Meeting
Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Donna Shalala and health care futurist Joe Flower will kick off the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) annual meeting on Thursday, Sept. 20 at Madden’s in Brainerd.
As the longest-serving secretary of the U.S. Department of HHS under President Bill Clinton, Shalala dealt head-on with the nation’s most controversial issues — health care financing, head-start programs, AIDS, medical privacy, biomedical research and health care-oriented welfare reform, while also funding shelters for battered women and instituting anti-discrimination measures. During her presentation she will share the lessons learned over a lifetime spent in service to the American people.
With more than 30 years’ experience, Joe Flower has emerged as a premier observer and thought leader on the deep forces changing health care in the U.S. and around the world. In his session, “The X Questions: Strategy for the Next Health Care,” he will discuss the key questions health care CEOs and C-Suite leaders need to ask to drive strategy now — this year, this budget — in order to survive the next three to seven years.
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 click here and log-in to register. Room reservations can be made online. ^top of page
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
FDA issues safety communication regarding Sterrad Cyclesure 24 Biological Indicators
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the voluntary recall of a product used by hospitals and surgical centers to monitor the effectiveness of certain sterilization systems. An FDA review showed that the Sterrad Cyclesure 24 Biological Indicators, made by Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), cannot effectively monitor the sterilization process throughout their indicated 15-month shelf life. The agency recommends hospitals and other health care facilities return any product that has exceeded six months of the shelf life and use an alternative sterilizer if available. For more information, see the FDA notice. ^top of page
Impact of Supreme Court’s ACA ruling on Minnesota hospitals and physicians to be discussed
Now that the Supreme Court has made its ruling on the Affordable Care Act, join the Minnesota Hospital Association and the Minnesota Medical Association on July 18 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for an evening of engaging dialogue as state leaders, hospital administrators and physicians translate the recent Supreme Court ruling into practical information and guidance. The program, “The Supreme Court’s Ruling: What it means for Minnesota Physicians and Hospitals,” will be held at the Ramada Plaza Minneapolis. Click here for a map and driving directions.
Confirmed speakers include: Edward Ehlinger, M.D., commissioner, Minnesota Department of Health; Lucinda Jesson, J.D., commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services; andMichael Rothman, J.D., commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce.
The program will be moderated by former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger. ^top of page
AHA calling for nominations for Quest for Quality Prize
Minnesota hospitals have a strong reputation for delivering high quality care safely and are among the best in the nation. The American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the exceptional work you do. The prize is presented annually to hospitals pursuing excellence in leadership and innovation in quality improvement and safety. The prize will honor hospitals that: 1) have committed in a systematic manner to achieving the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) six quality aims — safety, patient-centeredness, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, and equity; 2) can document progress in achievement of all six of the IOM aims; and 3) provide replicable models and systems for the hospital field.
All U.S. hospitals are eligible for the prize. One winner will receive $75,000 and up to two finalists will receive $12,500 each. Nominate an organization on the AHA website. Nominations must be submitted by Oct. 14, 2012 to questforquality@aha.org. ^top of page