Category: Patient Safety and Quality

MHA Keystone Center PSO Annual Meeting May 3

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The healthcare workforce is at higher risk of harm due to violence than other professional fields.  Recent increases in workplace violence represent a major barrier to both staff and patient safety, prompting the need for additional resources, training and education.

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) Annual Meeting brings together national safety and clinical experts each year to discuss trending topics in healthcare. The 2023 meeting will be held virtually 9 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. May 3, focused on workforce safety and security. Speaker presentations include:

  • Stephen Weiler, emergency management specialist at HSS, an MHA Endorsed Business Partner, will provide an overview of HSS and its physical risk assessments.
  • Brian Uridge, deputy director at the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety will outline actions health systems can take to address and reduce healthcare violence. He will also provide examples of safety training procedures and policies for members to replicate.

Registration is free and available to MHA Keystone Center PSO members. Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center PSO.

MHA Podcast Covers Patient Safety Awareness Week feat. The MHA Keystone Center

Patient Safety and Quality, Member News
MI care matters
Adam Novak
Adam Novak, director of safety & quality at the MHA Keystone Center.

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On episode 27, Adam Novak, director of safety & quality at the MHA Keystone Center, joins during Patient Safety Awareness Week to provide a refresh on the work of the patient safety organization (PSO) along with resources that are available to Michigan hospitals and health systems through the Keystone Center.

In the episode, Novak shares details of the upcoming Keystone Center Safe Patient Mobility and Handling Conference, a free event on April 13 that will provide participants with a better understanding of how caregiver and patient safety are connected. As he shares, participants will view live simulations demonstrating best practices for patient handling and discuss how to avoid care activities that cause caregiver injury and compromise quality of care. Risk and safety officers, physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and worker’s compensation staff are encouraged to register.

The episode is available to stream on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.

The MiCare Champion Cast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan.

Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena Nurse Receives Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality
speak up
Laura Smith, RN, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, MHA Keystone Center Q1 Speak-Up! Award honoree.

The MHA Keystone Center presented Laura Smith, RN at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, which celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals demonstrating a commitment to the prevention of patient or staff harm.

Smith was honored on March 9 for her diligence protecting a patient from premature discharge. While this individual was originally cleared to leave the facility, Smith urged the physical therapy team to re-evaluate the patient which led to confirmation that they were not able to move at full capacity or maintain normal oxygen levels. Her attentiveness and choice to follow-up was critical in protecting both the patient from harm and the family from potential distress.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for one of the most rewarding aspects of my job,” said Smith. “Being a patient’s advocate is one of the most important responsibilities of a nurse, and I am proud to work at a hospital where it is encouraged and celebrated.”

Launched in March 2016, the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award promotes a culture within healthcare organizations empowering staff to speak up about the quality or safety of patient care to foster continuous improvement and minimize institutional risk for both patients and providers.

“We are very fortunate to have team members like Laura who are committed to ensuring all our patients receive the dedicated care they deserve,” said Mike Erickson, president, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. “Her recognition is well-deserved, and we appreciate her unwavering commitment to the high standards we set for ourselves at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.”

Additional award finalists for the first quarter of 2022 include:

  • Rebecca Ridenour – RN, Sparrow Hospital
  • Austin Lilley – RN, University of Michigan Health-West
  • Justyna Skowron – RN, Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital

“It’s always a pleasure to celebrate the courageous acts of healthcare workers like Laura,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “The health and well-being of Michigan patients relies on the compassion and thoroughness of those who provide care in our hospitals and health systems every day.”

More information about the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online.

MHA Keystone Center and MVC Release Statewide Childbirth Outcomes Report

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The MHA Keystone Center and the Michigan Value Collaborative (MVC) developed and released a statewide report Feb. 2 on birth outcomes following recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an effort to support maternal health quality improvement initiatives. CDC data shows the maternal mortality rate in the United Sates was 23.8 per 100,000 live births in 2020 and four in five pregnancy-related deaths were preventable between 2017 and 2019.

The Michigan report details information on episode payments, mode of delivery, patient characteristics and rates of hemorrhage, hypertension and severe maternal morbidity for 90-day claims-based episodes of care for vaginal and cesarean delivery at MVC participating birthing hospitals from January 2019 to December 2021. It found 7.5% of patients had a diagnosis of hemorrhage, 4.2% had a diagnosis of hypertension and 1.8% had a diagnosis of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) during their index birth hospitalization. A notable finding was the difference in rates of these complications by race. Patients who were identified as Asian or Pacific Islander had higher rates of hemorrhage than other race categories, while patients who were identified as Black had higher rates of hypertension and SMM than the overall population.

Through support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, this report helps to better understand disparities in care while guiding the MHA Keystone Center’s efforts to increase equitable care and decrease preventable several maternal morbidity and mortality.

Members with questions about the report may reach out to the MHA Keystone Center.

Registration Available for MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

Registration is now open for the MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference. The all-day event will take place April 13 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest.

In partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, EarlyMobility.com and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the free event will provide participants with a better understanding of how caregiver and patient safety are connected. Attendees will also learn how safe, early and continuous mobility can help achieve better patient outcomes in less time with fewer staff.

Participants will view live simulations demonstrating best practices for patient handling and discuss how to avoid care activities that cause caregiver injury and compromise quality of care.

Risk and safety officers, physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and worker’s compensation staff are encouraged to register.

Nursing, physical therapy, risk management and quality credits have been secured for the event. Continuing education credits for occupational therapy are being pursued.

About the speakers:

Margaret Arnold

Margaret Arnold is one of the world’s foremost experts on early mobility and is CEO of EarlyMobility.com. Margaret has over 25 years of experience as a PT, specializing in back injury treatment and prevention, industrial rehabilitation, ergonomics and safe patient mobility. You can often catch Margaret both domestically and internationally speaking at conferences related to PT, early mobility and safe patient handling. She is the editorial advisor on early mobility for the International Journal of Safe Patient Handling and has a seat on the board of directors for the American Safe Patient Handling Association.  She has published extensively on both topics and is a pioneer in integrating early mobility programs with safe patient handling programs.

Janice Homola

​Janice Homola is President Emeritus of the Michigan Health Care Safety Association (MHCSA). As a certified safe patient handling associate (CSPHA), Janice specializes in safe patient movement and mobility by conducting gap analyses, collaborating to determine improvements, providing coaching and education and by improving organizations’ cultures of safety.

Janice was co-developer and presenter for five years for MIOSHA funded, statewide seminars, On the Backs of Healthcare Workers, to spotlight the depth and breadth of patient movement challenges and provide innovative solutions. She participated with MIOSHA in ergonomic standard development and provided safe patient movement education to MIOSHA’s Consultation Education and Training division.

Members with questions about the conference may contact the MHA Keystone Center.

EarlyMobility.com is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. This live event is an introductory level course. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products of clinical procedures by AOTA.

 

The MHA Keystone Center Offers Ongoing Workforce Well-Being Courses

Patient Safety and Quality, Member News

Through a partnership with the Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality, the MHA Keystone Center is pleased to offer the second iteration of its WELL-B webinar series geared to support healthcare workers experiencing burnout.

Live courses will begin on Nov. 17 and take place monthly through Oct. 2023. Each one-hour session includes CME and ANCC credit. The 12 sessions are a continuation of the courses offered earlier this year. Members who did not participate in the spring cohort are encouraged to listen to the recordings to gain foundational knowledge. CME and ANCC credits are also available for the pre-recorded sessions.

Registration will remain open throughout the series.

Registration is also open for a 5-hour WELL-B Essentials cohort opportunity starting in Jan. 2023. The five interactive sessions will center around cultivating work-life balance, gratitude, self-compassion and awe.

Sessions for the WELL-B Essentials cohort are first come, first serve. Registrants will be assigned to the one-hour sessions from noon to 1 p.m. either Jan. 23 – 27 or Jan. 30 – Feb. 3.

Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.

MHA Keystone Center Presents Annual Health Equity Summit

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

Registration is now open for the Michigan Health Equity Summit that will take place in-person at Lansing Community College West Campus and virtually from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 3.

This summit aims to provide an update of state healthcare disparity data, explore how Michigan hospitals can continue to expand upon their work in eliminating disparities and highlight the work select hospitals are doing to advance health equity for all Michiganders.

The program – provided in partnership by the MHA Keystone Center, the Michigan Public Health Institute, Michigan State University’s Institute for Health Policy and the Michigan Health Endowment Fund  – is designed for patient safety officers, quality improvement personnel, directors of patient experience or compliance, executive and clinical leaders and health equity staff members.

Included in the agenda is keynote speaker Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins, a renowned advocate against racism and its impact on public health, who will lead the summit discussion in his keynote address.

Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.

Survey Published for Opioid Use Disorder Contacts

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

In preparation for the state’s anticipated grant program to implement an Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (ED MOUD) program, the MHA is asking all members to fill out a short survey by Sept. 23 to provide contact information for those within each member organization who support OUD work.

The Michigan Senate and House recently both passed Senate Bill 597, which requires all Michigan emergency departments who do not otherwise opt-out to implement an ED MOUD program. The governor has not yet signed the bill into law, but the MHA anticipates Gov. Whitmer will sign the bill in the coming months.

While ED MOUD programming currently exists and many Michigan hospitals are already implementing it, the bill will require the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a grant program to provide financial support to emergency departments to implement ED MOUD programs. This funding will be available only to those with more than 50 overdose encounters a year. Hospitals will be required to either opt-out or complete an application for funding. As such, the MHA Keystone Center – which has been working closely with Michigan hospitals currently implementing the ED MOUD program – is preparing to support members once the bill is signed. Given the anticipated tight turnaround to complete paperwork, it is imperative for the MHA Keystone Center to have the appropriate contacts to aid in the registration or opt-out process.

Members with questions about the requirements can reach out to the MHA Keystone Center.

 

Implicit Bias Trainings Available to Meet LARA Requirement

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) revised Public Health Code Rules requiring implicit bias training for all professions licensed or registered under the Public Health Code took effect in June. Implicit Bias trainings are still available for those needing to meet the requirement.

The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion – Michigan Medicine is hosting Building Toward Belonging: Implicit Bias Training (LARA Compliant), a 1-hour, live virtual course.

Building Toward Belonging: Implicit Bias Training is being offered for $150 per participant.

The following groups qualify for a $50 per person discount:

  • University of Michigan alumni and retirees
  • Non-profit workers
  • K-12 workers
  • Groups of 10+ (must be registered together)

If you fall within one of these categories, send an email to OHEI-training@med.umich.edu and request a promo code for the category you qualify for.

Community Group Session Rates: If your team has 50 or more participants, you can request a virtual session outside of our currently posted schedule. This session would be scheduled for a time that works for your team and requests must be submitted in this form at least 6-8 weeks in advance.

The Michigan Health Council is also offering implicit bias trainings in two formats, hybrid or live guest lecture, over the next several months.

In a hybrid delivery model, learners will watch a one-hour video on demand and attend a one-hour webinar to engage in a robust discussion and group exercises with the instructor and other learners. This training is available for $50 per person. Register here.

With a guest presentation, organizations can offer the training to their staff on-site at their convenience. The presentation will include an introduction to implicit bias and targeted exercises, discussion, and evaluation questions. Members may contact Kristin Sewell via email or at 517-908-8243 for pricing and availability.

C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Nurse Receives Q2 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center presented Courtney Meagher, RN at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, July 12 with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award.

The MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals demonstrating a commitment to the prevention of patient or staff harm.

Meagher is being honored for her diligence in caring for a patient who accidently removed their tracheostomy tube. While the patient’s oxygen saturation was 100%, Meagher was still concerned with the patient’s breathing after a difficult tracheostomy tube replacement and sought counsel from another nurse. After confirming the patient was breathing from their mouth rather than the tracheostomy tube, the team was able to place a new one in the appropriate position. Meagher’s actions prevented potential harm and any further complications.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a patient advocate,” said Meagher. “I am grateful to work in a system where I feel confident to question, validate and verify to ensure our patients are receiving the best care possible.”

Launched in March 2016, the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award promotes a culture within healthcare organizations empowering staff to speak up about the quality or safety of patient care to foster continuous improvement and minimize institutional risk for both patients and providers.

“Team members like Courtney allow us to lead the way in providing comprehensive, specialized health care for children,” said Luanne Thomas Ewald, MHA, FACHE, chief operating officer, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. “We are grateful to see her recognized for displaying the high safety standards we set to ensure we are providing the highest quality of care.”

Additional award finalists for the second quarter of 2022 include:

  • Claire LaPlaunt, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault, Sault Ste. Marie
  • Areej Kattan, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn

“It’s the steadfast approach of healthcare workers like Courtney that advances the safety and quality of Michigan hospitals,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “She is incredibly deserving of this recognition for her courage to speak up and seek validation for her patient.”

More information about the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online.