News to Know – March 18, 2024

  • Members are encouraged to register for a free webinar from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. ET March 20 to learn why onsite risk assessments are important. The MHA Keystone Center partnered with HSS in 2023 to provide onsite physical safety and risk assessments for several Michigan hospital partners.
  • The MHA will host a webinar with ModusOne Health to help members maximize quality metrics and reimbursements from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET on March 27. Members with questions may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.

Workforce and Innovation Addressed by MHASC Board and HR Council

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused its Feb. 7 meeting on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support and innovation, viability, behavioral health improvement, health equity and more. The board was joined by Bruce Brandes, president, care.ai, an MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP). Brandes provided a strategic overview for how AI and ambient intelligence is transforming care delivery models. care.ai sponsored a joint lunch for MHA and MHASC board members and provided an update on its Smart Care Facility Operating Platform. The MHASC is planning to launch new Endorsed Business Partners and innovative solutions in the coming months.

The MHA Human Resources (HR) & Workforce Council met Jan. 30 to discuss current HR priorities and review its role in advancing the mission of the MHA and the role of human resource leaders. The council provided input on legislative and regulatory issues relevant to healthcare employers, including diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, workplace safety and workforce development. Members provided feedback on current workforce-related legislative efforts and shared valuable insights with colleagues during a round-table session addressing 2024 priorities, innovative ideas, lessons learned and more. The HR Council is looking forward to networking with colleagues at the upcoming MHA HR Conference on March 5.

The MHASC provides critical support to the MHA in the form of non-dues revenue through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and EBP program. The MHASC’s mission is to deliver innovative solutions that help improve value and performance, addressing various business needs including workforce, supply chain, revenue cycle, strategic growth solutions and more. Members are encouraged to visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about the resources available.

Questions regarding the MHASC Board should be directed to Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.

MHA Podcast Explores Workplace Violence Resources for Michigan Hospitals

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews each month with experts in Michigan discussing key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

Jenifer Monzo, RN, BAS, CPHRM, director of Quality and Risk Management at McKenzie Health System and Stephen Weiler, IPEM, MEP, CPP, CPD, manager of Resiliency Services at HSS joined virtually for the January episode of the MiCare Champion Cast.

The January 2024 episode, which explores workplace violence resources for Michigan hospitals, features Jenifer Monzo, RN, BAS, CPHRM, director of Quality and Risk Management at McKenzie Health System and Stephen Weiler, IPEM, MEP, CPP, CPD, manager of Resiliency Services at HSS.

Monzo and Weiler, who share years of experience and education in healthcare safety, discuss the reality of workplace violence in hospitals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, healthcare workers are about five times more likely to experience workplace violence than employees in other industries.

“What I see is that they’re getting tired, warn out, and frustrated,” said Monzo, who has a background in nursing herself. “We have a fantastic team and they’re a great support to each other…we’re doing everything we can to let them know that we’re working our best to keep them safe.”

In December 2023, Gov. Whitmer signed into law House Bills 4520 and 4521, which increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer. Now referred to as Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023, the financial fines are doubled for those found guilty of assault towards a healthcare worker or volunteer.

To enhance workplace safety, McKenzie Health System formed a partnership with HSS through support from the MHA Keystone Center and grant funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. As a result, McKenzie teams are receiving tailored resources and training that address the specific needs of the system.

“Learn from your experiences and learn from your staff,” said Monzo. “Listen to what they’re concerns are and let them know what you’ve done, what you’re doing and that you’re interested in continued feedback to keep making improvements.”

Weiler details the “soup to nuts” approach taken by HSS to support hospitals like McKenzie throughout the state and country. Their offerings include in-person practical skills training and education, security and risk assessments, emergency management services and much, much more.

MHA-member hospitals interested in receiving support for safety and quality initiatives are encouraged to submit their OSHA data to the MHA Keystone Center. Members with questions about the program or consideration requirements can contact the MHA Keystone Center PSO.

The episode is available to stream on SpotifyYouTubeApple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Questions or idea submissions for future MiCare Champion Cast episodes can be sent to Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MiCare Champion Cast · Addressing Workplace Violence in Michigan Hospitals

HSS, an MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP), is a leader in healthcare, airport, and government facility security – as well as emergency and aggression management training, security systems integration, and medical equipment management services. To learn more and to request to be considered to become an EBP, contact the MHA or MHA Business Development Consultant Brian Stevens at (972) 768-5755.

News to Know – Dec. 11, 2023

  • The MHA welcomes ModusOne Health as a new Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) and the only physician-founded and physician-run Clinical Diagnosis Improvement (CDxI®) company that delivers robust monthly leaderboard-style reporting of provider accuracy in diagnosing patients on the conditions that most directly affect quality metrics and reimbursements. The ModusOne CDxI® system does not require hiring additional personnel or purchasing any equipment or software. This system works extremely well in a complementary manner with traditional CDI efforts, whether in-house or vendor-led. CDxI® is fully scalable and has been chosen by more than 75 individual hospitals and major health systems nationwide. They offer hospitals and health systems critical insights and a proven system of data analytics, physician-led provider education and ongoing leadership-style performance management. For more information, members may contact Stephanie Patsalis, vice president of business development at ModusOne Health. Members with questions about the EBP program may contact at the MHA.
  • Due to the holidays, Monday Report will not be published Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, and will resume its normal schedule Jan. 8. Member alerts and MHA newsroom articles will continue to be published during that time to provide relevant updates to the MHA membership, as necessary.

News to Know – Nov. 20, 2023

TELUS Health CBT (formerly known as AbilitiCBT by LifeWorks) is now offered by TELUS Health, a global leader in total wellbeing. Nothing is more important than the health of individuals and their families. TELUS Health is on a mission to be the most trusted wellbeing provider and are committed to making mental health support more accessible to everyone. With CBT, TELUS Health is combining deep clinical expertise with easy-to-use technology to deliver meaningful support. TELUS Health CBT is a short-term therapeutic approach that provides users with convenient, self-serve digital tools to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Members with questions may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.

Strategic Action Planning Session with MHA Service Corporation Board

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused on supporting MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support and innovation, viability, behavioral health improvement, health equity and more during their Oct. 18 planning session. The board discussed healthcare market strategies to identify and grow solutions for MHA members and clients. MHA members are invited to register for the upcoming Nov. 9 virtual membership meeting for more information on the association’s efforts to address these ongoing priorities.

The MHASC board discussed current and future strategic priorities to enhance cutting-edge and cost-effective solutions for member hospitals. Specifically, the board discussed how innovations can support advocacy priorities to address workforce staffing shortage issues. The MHASC board also welcomed Eric Wallis, DNP, senior vice president and system chief nursing officer, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, as a new director providing clinical innovation expertise. The board also honored Deloris Hunt, chief human resources officer, Michigan Medicine, for her upcoming retirement and thanked her for serving as chair of the MHA Human Resources & Workforce Council.

The board was joined by Eric Eder, CEO, CyberForce|Q, for an overview of the Healthcare Security Operations Center (HSOC) history and how it has helped participants improve their security posture as threats increase. The MHASC is planning to launch new endorsed business partnerships and innovative solutions in the coming months.

The MHASC’s mission is to deliver innovative solutions that help improve value and performance through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and Endorsed Business Partner program addressing various business needs including workforce, supply chain, revenue cycle, strategic growth solutions and more. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available.

Members with questions regarding the MHASC Board may contact Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.

A Holistic Approach to Workforce Management

Health systems and healthcare organizations are adapting to challenges posed by staffing shortages and a multigenerational workforce. The most successful facilities are taking a holistic approach by discarding staffing models of the past and embracing flexible scheduling, virtual nursing and strategic workforce partnerships.

The solutions offered by Medical Solutions are informed by Medical Solutions Chief Nursing Officer Patti Artley, who emphasizes the need to move beyond outdated practices and understand staff at a micro level to best address current challenges and to improve staff relations.

To achieve effective workforce management, it’s crucial to focus not only on recruitment and the use of traveling clinicians, but also on retention to establish workforce stability. In addition to introducing flexible scheduling and virtual nursing, it’s essential to decrease dependence on temporary staff and foster a culture that prioritizes the well-being of individuals.

Doing this is possible with the right workforce partnership, which has moved beyond just the basics of filling requests for travelers. Facilities today require a partnership to help them assess the impact of nursing shortages, tailor staffing plans to their specific needs, promote mentorship and flexible scheduling, explore innovative staffing models and leverage technology for efficiency.

Proactive and strategic planning is crucial for the healthcare industry to navigate workforce challenges successfully.

Members may contact Mike Daeges at 402-986-5153 to explore how Medical Solutions’ healthcare talent ecosystem can meet their needs.

New Physician Recruiting Incentives Report

AMN Healthcare’s Physician Solutions division (formerly known as Merritt Hawkins) has released its Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives annually for the last 30 years.

Cited every year by Modern Healthcare and many other publications, the Review offers benchmark data and analysis used by hospitals, medical groups and other organizations to determine which physician and advanced practitioner (AP) recruiting incentives are customary and competitive.

The recently released 2023 Review continues to be the most comprehensive source of data regarding physician and AP starting salaries, signing bonuses, production bonuses and related recruiting incentives in the industry. It also offers an in-depth analysis of the latest trends driving physician supply and demand, recruitment and retention.

Some key findings from the 2023 Review are:

  • 64% of AMN Healthcare’s search engagements this year were for physician specialists.
  • Average starting salary offers made to specialists were generally up year-over-year.
  • Nurse practitioners topped the list of AMN Healthcare’s most requested search engagements for the third consecutive year.

MHA Members interested in obtaining a copy of the complete report may reach out to Ben Jones at AMN Healthcare.

MHA CEO Report — Added Association Value

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffet

The healthcare industry is a vital cornerstone of any community, providing essential medical services to people in times of need – not to mention our role as economic engines. Behind the scenes, there’s a complex network of organizations and associations dedicated to supporting healthcare providers and ensuring their success. Among these is the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), the leading advocate for hospitals and health systems throughout the state of Michigan.

While most people recognize the MHA’s visible and impactful role in the public policy arena, many are unaware of the comprehensive business services we also provide to our member organizations. Housed within our MHA Service Corporation, these services not only help hospitals and health systems to achieve their missions of providing high quality, cost-effective care to their communities, but they also generate revenue for our association – which in turn allows us to moderate the need for membership dues increases over the years.

Our business services include in-house offerings and carefully vetted and selected partnerships. All services have been curated to give hospitals and healthcare providers robust solutions and options. Examples of services available to hospitals and other providers include the MHA’s data services, unemployment compensation program, a robust endorsed business partner program and graphic design and print services.

The MHA first began work to develop a data bank in 1975, establishing our association as a credible resource for industry data. Data-driven decision-making is essential for healthcare organizations to deliver high-quality services efficiently. More than 500 healthcare entities nationwide now use MHA data products for a variety of purposes, including strategy development, community benefit tracking and improving safety and quality of care. By harnessing the power of data, hospitals and health systems can enhance patient outcomes, optimize workflows and ultimately reduce costs.

Our unemployment compensation program has an even longer history, having existed since 1972. Much like data services, it not only serves existing MHA members in Michigan, but nationally. Collectively, it processes thousands of unemployment claims for over 700 clients every year, saving clients millions of dollars annually. By participating in this program, member organizations can navigate the complexities of unemployment compensation more effectively, saving valuable time and resources. I’m pleased to share the program was once again recognized by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) for the program’s commitment to utilizing the NASWA’s nationwide, web-based system for receiving new claims and responding to state unemployment agencies.

The MHA Graphic Design & Print Services division offers specialized print services, as we recognized the need to offer our members cost-effective printing solutions. The healthcare industry has a constant need for marketing materials, patient information brochures and administrative documents. This program has grown and now offers services for many organizations even outside of healthcare.

Our association has also expanded our ability to connect our member hospitals and health systems to companies that offer products and services tailored to the healthcare industry. Within the MHA Endorsed Business Partner Program, we rigorously review each potential company before endorsing a partner to ensure that they provide quality and valuable services to our membership. The MHA has the opportunity to be a liaison between our members and endorsed business partners, leveraging our events and relationships to make the right connections at the right time.

As you can see, our commitment to supporting hospitals and health systems goes well beyond advocacy and policy. By offering diverse business services, we empower healthcare organizations to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. These additional services complement our existing efforts to improve the health and wellness of individuals and communities. Together, these initiatives contribute to the enhancement of healthcare excellence in Michigan, ensuring that the state’s healthcare providers can deliver the best possible care to their patients.

I can tell you that over the years, I have heard from countless clients of our various business services, who consistently praise the outstanding customer service and value-added work provided by our exceptional team. From my perspective, our success can be largely attributed to a commitment to build genuine, trusting relationships for the long haul.  And we will not allow those relationships – or our reputation – to be compromised in any way. If you are affiliated with a healthcare-related organization (and perhaps even if not), I would strongly encourage you to reach out and explore our ability to serve you and see this difference first-hand.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

MHA Service Corporation Board Highlights Solutions and Successes

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board held its final meeting of the 2022-2023 program year focused on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities of workforce sustainability, financial viability, achieving health equity and improving access and funding for behavioral health. Members are invited to review the July MHA CEO Report for more information on the association’s efforts to address these ongoing priorities.

The MHASC board celebrated the  2023 Outstanding Performance award given to the MHA Unemployment Compensation Program (MHA-UCP) by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. This award affirms the MHA-UCP’s dedicated work to reduce unemployment liability for its clients, decrease unemployment fraud and prevent waste with state unemployment agencies. The MHA-UCP has a large portfolio of healthcare employer clients throughout the country, including many MHA members. To learn more about the services available, members may contact Neil MacVicar at the MHA-UCP.

The board was joined by Kelsey Stevens, principal and senior consulting actuary, Wakely, for an overview of actuarial and risk management services for value-based payment arrangements and more. MHASC is planning to launch new Endorsed Business Partnerships in the coming weeks.

The MHASC board had several appointments and reappointments adding depth and breadth of expertise and welcomed new MHASC board members Melissa Holmquist, CEO, Upper Peninsula Health Plan, Marquette; Paul Karsten, CFO, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids; Peter Marinoff, south regional president, Munson Healthcare, Cadillac; and Scott McLean, managing director, Corewell Health Ventures, Grand Rapids. The board recognized David Leonard, JD, chief legal officer, Corewell Health, Grand Rapids and Southfield, and Dennis Smith, president, Dennis H. Smith Consulting, LLC, Marquette, for their service on the board ending this year. The board also affirmed the reappointments of Betty Chu, MD, chief quality officer, Henry Ford Health, Detroit; Brian Connolly, Connolly Associates, Rapid City; Brett Furst, founder & CEO, Foresight Ventures, Lake Orion; Marita Hattem-Schiffman, president & CEO, MyMichigan Health Central Region, Alma; and Chair Kent Riddle, CEO, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids.

The MHASC provides critical support to the MHA in the form of nondues revenue through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and Endorsed Business Partner program to address workforce, financial and other business needs. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available.

Questions regarding the MHASC Board should be directed to Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.