Kristy Shafer, senior manager, MHA Keystone Center, and senior lead quality improvement advisor for Superior Health, presented the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality improvement program at the Michigan Critical Access Hospital Quality Network (MICAH QN) quarterly meeting May 7 in Traverse City.
The MHA Keystone Center is a member of Superior Health, a quality-improvement joint venture that seeks to improve outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries. As one of the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for the CMS 13th Scope of Work, Superior Health is recruiting Michigan hospitals, nursing homes and clinics for its no-cost program. Members interested in participating are encouraged to enroll by May 27.
Several presenters also highlighted past MHA Keystone Center initiatives, including its emergency department medication for opioid use disorder (ED MOUD) programming and a Patient Safety Organization (PSO) Safe Table series.
Amy DeKorse of Munson Healthcare led a discussion on substance use and behavioral health in patient safety and quality. The discussion highlighted collaborative work between the Michigan Opioid Partnership and the MHA Keystone Center on an ED MOUD initiative to expand access to evidence-based treatment statewide and support transitions to long-term office-based care following discharge. From 2019 to 2023, approximately half of Michigan emergency departments participated in the initiative. ED MOUD learning modules remain available to members at no cost on Key Learnings.
Heather Githu, MAS, BSN, RN, CPPS, regional director of patient safety, University of Michigan Sparrow, is a member of the MHA Keystone Center Adverse Event Review Committee and presented during a three-part PSO Safe Table high-reliability series in 2025 focused on healthcare reliability and patient safety practices. Julia Harbuck-Valley, quality manager, Scheurer Health, also highlighted the MHA Keystone Center and encouraged organizations to participate in its patient safety and quality trainings.
Members with questions may contact Kristy Shafer at the MHA Keystone Center.