Category: Patient Safety and Quality

Toolkit Created to Strengthen Caregiver Support Programs

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The MHA Keystone Center recently released the Michigan Caregiver Navigation Toolkit to guide hospitals and health systems implementing and maintaining caregiver navigation programs. These initiatives are designed to support caregivers in their role by providing connections, resources and education.

The Michigan Caregiver Navigation Toolkit aims to serve as a resource for healthcare staff looking to develop or improve the caregiver navigation program across their system. Although caregiving is relevant across all age groups, this toolkit is primarily intended for use on adults ages 18 years or older, with a special focus on older adults. The toolkit allows users to assess current structures to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement in caregiver support. It also provides guidance to create actionable plans for program development and expansion.

The MHA Keystone Center partnered with Henry Ford Health’s Caregiver Assistance Resources and Education (C.A.R.E) Program team and Wayne State University’s Institute of Gerontology to create the toolkit. Thanks to the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, this resource is available to Michigan hospitals and health systems free of charge.

Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.

MHA Keystone Center Cohosting Caregiver Navigation Roundtable

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The MHA Keystone Center is partnering with the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and RUSH University Medical Center to host a virtual roundtable from 10 to 11:15 a.m. June 21 on implementing caregiver navigation programs in health systems across Michigan.

Attendees will learn about a new Michigan Caregiver Navigation Toolkit developed by the MHA Keystone Center, as well as how RUSH University Medical Center has expanded its Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative to incorporate caregiving best practices in its Caring for Caregivers model. Attendees will engage in a roundtable discussion about barriers and solutions to expanding caregiver programming in their organizations and across the state.

Attendees will also:

  • Learn about new initiatives and programs that focus on the health and well-being of patient caregivers.
  • Engage in an open discussion about potential barriers and solutions to adopting caregiver programming in your organization.
  • Participate in small breakout sessions to better learn each attendee’s unique needs to assist with adopting a new caregiver model.
  • Develop and leverage feedback to plan and evaluate how to expand caregiver programming across the state.

Executive and clinical leaders, patient safety officers, quality improvement personnel, directors of patient experience or compliance, care managers and caregiver program managers are encouraged to register by June 7 for the virtual roundtable.

Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.

MHA Keystone Center PSO Safe Table – Health IT & Risk Safety

Patient Safety and Quality, Member News

The MHA Keystone Center PSO is hosting a Health IT & Risk Safety Safe Table from 12:30 to 3 p.m. June 14. The event will be held at Goshen Health, located at 200 High Park Avenue in Goshen, Indiana. Lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m.

The free, interactive event will feature Goshen Health speakers Angie Lucas, manager, risk and safety, and Marlene Marks, director, clinical quality and performance improvement. They will present lessons learned at their health system and facilitate group discussions. Participants will gain insight into risk and safety considerations related to technology, including electronic medical record downtime, medication administration, mobility and competency assurance. During the breakout sessions, each group will create a gap analysis tool to assist in the evaluation of an organization’s processes and identification of potential vulnerabilities.

Directors or managers of risk management, directors of patient safety and directors of quality improvement are encouraged to register.

Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center PSO.

E.W. Sparrow Hospital Nurse Receives Q2 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality
speak up

The MHA Keystone Center presented Cheryl Kay, RN, at E.W. Sparrow Hospital 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.

Kay was honored May 2 for advocating for her patient recovering from a cesarean section. The patient’s urine output was low and a rapid fluid infusion was ordered. However, Kay advocated to delay the infusion since the patient had preeclampsia. The patient did not receive the fluids and it was later discovered they had pulmonary edema, which could have been exacerbated had the infusion taken place.

“Caring for a mother so that she can care for her baby is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job,” said Kay. “I’m proud to be able to advocate for my patients to ensure their quickest and fullest recovery so they can confidently tend to their new baby.”

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 Cheryl consistently exemplify the high safety and quality standards we set for ourselves at Sparrow Health System,” said Paul Entler, D.O., Sparrow Health System’s Chief Clinical Officer. “She deserves to be recognized for acknowledging the complexity of her patient’s condition and ensuring all aspects were considered in their treatment plan.”

Additional award finalists for the second quarter of 2023 include:

  • Erin Harbour – RNC.S., Mott Children’s Hospital.
  • Susan Robinson – Helen Newberry Joy Hospital.
  • Sarah Allen – RN, Trinity Health Livonia Hospital.

“Establishing a culture that encourages staff to speak up is paramount to improving safety within Michigan hospitals,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “It is clear through Cheryl’s actions that the Sparrow Health System team is dedicated to advancing the quality of patient care, and we are thrilled to be celebrating her commitment.”

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

MHA Keystone Center Hosts Safe Patient Handling Event April 13

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

Healthcare workers across the state gathered April 13 in Southeast Michigan to discuss best practices for patient handling to ensure the safety of both the patient and the caregiver.

The MHA Keystone Center partnered with EarlyMobility.com to bring live safe patient handling demonstrations and interactive mobility equipment activities to more than 60 occupational therapists, quality and risk managers, nurses, physical therapists and physicians. Participants discussed the importance of safe, early and continuous mobility and how properly utilizing mobility equipment ultimately is in the best interest of patients and caregivers. Presenters also highlighted the cost and time savings that come from prioritizing revised best practices for patient handling and mobility.

The event was made possible by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s support of the MHA Keystone Center and its ongoing quality and safety initiatives. The MHA Keystone Center partnered with the following equipment vendors for the event’s live patient handling demonstrations: Arjo, Hovertech International, Inspire Outcomes LLC, Jamar Health Products, Inc. and Medcotech. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration also collaborated with members throughout the event.

Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.

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

MiCare Champion Cast, Member News, Patient Safety and Quality
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.