The MHA Board of Trustees began their Nov. 2 meeting with a review of key communication strategies to assist hospitals and health systems to “tell their stories” about the unprecedented financial and workforce challenges they currently face and how they are adapting to meet the critical healthcare and economic development needs of their communities. The board had previously identified financial viability and workforce restoration and wellbeing, along with behavioral health and health equity, as the four key pillars in its annual strategic action plan. The board also affirmed recommendations by the MHA Legislative Policy Panel regarding Certificate of Need and potential measures to improve access to care and patient experience, and potential legislative options to assist hospitals with challenges associated with placing patients in post-acute care settings.
Guest presenter, Bryan Sexton, director, Duke University Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality, provided an update on the success and effectiveness of his ground-breaking work with the MHA Keystone Center on the “Well-B” project to improve caregiver well-being and mitigate burnout through a series of cost free, one-hour sessions accessed at the participant’s convenience through their mobile phone. Nearly 5,000 registrants have participated in the no-cost sessions, which qualify for continuing medical education credits, and the results have been proven using evidence-based methodologies to reduce stress and improve feelings of gratitude and well-being. A new series of sessions will be available starting in January and previous sessions continue to be accessible to Michigan-based healthcare workers at no cost.
The board concluded with regional hospital council reports and an update from MHA CEO Brian Peters.
For more information about actions of the MHA Board of Trustees, contact Amy Barkholz at the MHA.