Tag: MHA Keystone Center

MHA Monday Report May 18, 2026

Member News, Monday Report

House Passes Multiple Healthcare Bills

The Michigan House passed legislation related to third-party litigation financing, Medicaid prescription requirements and surgical smoke plume evacuation during the week of May 11. Lawmakers also introduced legislation related to behavioral health transportation services and …

State House Minority Leader Addresses Legislative Policy Panel

State House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) addressed the MHA Legislative Policy Panel May 13 at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center, providing the panel with a legislative and political update and sharing his commitment to …

2026 Healthcare Leadership Academy Cohort Completes Program

In partnership with Executive Core, the MHA recently celebrated the successful completion of the 2026 Healthcare Leadership Academy, which supports the development of emerging healthcare leaders across Michigan. Through two in-person modules, participants developed skills …

Keystone Quality and Safety Work Highlighted at MICAH QN Meeting

Kristy Shafer, senior manager, MHA Keystone Center, and senior lead quality improvement advisor for Superior Health, presented the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services quality improvement program at the Michigan Critical Access Hospital Quality …

MHA Keystone Center to Present During National Caregiver Webinar

The National Alliance for Caregiving will host the webinar “Practical Methods for Integrating Caregivers into Care Delivery” from 1 to 2 p.m. ET May 27, highlighting how hospitals and health systems are embedding caregivers into care models …

Hospitals Help: Memorial Healthcare Prioritizes Infection Control for Long-Term Care Residents

Michigan hospitals have long prioritized infection control and prevention, investing in resources that strengthen safety and quality measures for their patients and staff. The MHA Keystone Center is committed to supporting these efforts. Healthcare teams …

News to Know

  • The MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council met May 14 to examine patient journey mapping, a method used to document and visualize the patient experience across healthcare touchpoints, from recognizing a health need through treatment and ongoing care.
  • Hospitals paid under the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system must submit a calendar year 2025 occupational mix survey to the Medicare Administrative Contractor by June 30.
  • Applicable laboratories, including hospital outreach laboratories, must report private payer data under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2025, during the reporting window open through July 31, 2026.

MHA in the News

The MHA received coverage in a May 12 Crain’s Detroit Business story examining insurance contract negotiations with hospitals. In the article, MHA CEO Brian Peters emphasized that reimbursement contracts between hospitals and insurance companies often …

Keystone Quality and Safety Work Highlighted at MICAH QN Meeting

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

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 presenting during the MICAH QN Meeting.
Amy DeKorse presenting during the MICAH QN Meeting.

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.

MHA Keystone Center to Present During National Caregiver Webinar

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The National Alliance for Caregiving will host the webinar “Practical Methods for Integrating Caregivers into Care Delivery” from 1 to 2 p.m. ET May 27, highlighting how hospitals and health systems are embedding caregivers into care models across settings and patient populations.

Joshua Suire, MHA, BSN, RN, director, safety and quality, MHA Keystone Center, will serve as a featured speaker during the national webinar. Suire will share insights from the Michigan Caregiver Navigation Toolkit pilot, including how Michigan organizations are designing and testing practical strategies to identify, assess and support family caregivers in routine care.

Participants will also learn how organizations nationwide are expanding caregiver support programs and using Medicare Caregiver Training Services reimbursement codes to strengthen caregiver engagement, training and support.

The discussion will highlight strategies and emerging practices to build sustainable caregiver support programs and improve outcomes for patients and caregivers. MHA members are encouraged to register and attend the webinar.

Members with questions may contact Joshua Suire at the MHA Keystone Center.

Hospitals Help: Memorial Healthcare Prioritizes Infection Control for Long-Term Care Residents

Hospitals Help, Member News

Michigan hospitals have long prioritized infection control and prevention, investing in resources that strengthen safety and quality measures for their patients and staff. The MHA Keystone Center is committed to supporting these efforts.

Healthcare teams across the state continue to monitor for cases of Candida auris (C. auris), a highly transmittable fungus identified in 2021 that can lead to serious infections. Managing the risk is especially critical across long-term care (LTC) facilities.

With this in mind, the Keystone Center team enrolled 11 Michigan-based LTC facilities last year in a project aimed at enhancing infection prevention and equipping healthcare teams with the necessary tools to address the spread of C. auris and other emerging pathogens.

Memorial Healthcare, a hospital that offers both long-term care and assisted living, was one of those given the opportunity to participate.

“We’re doing a lot of things right, but appreciate new eyes coming in to assess and give our teams unbiased feedback,” said Taryn Gemalsky, MSN, BSN, RN, director of nursing for long-term care, Memorial Healthcare. “We always want to protect our elderly residents who are at highest risk of vulnerability.”

With support from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services and IPCWell, the project involved onsite and remote technical assistance for LTC teams to assess and enhance their infection control practices. As a part of this, staff and facility leaders are led through modules within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) tool.

“Having an actionable plan with tangible tasks to hone in on is great,” said Bradley Moore, RN, manager of behavioral health and long-term care, Memorial Healthcare. “A lot of the staff have been a part of this work and it’s great to have their input on care improvements.”

Memorial Healthcare teams successfully closed every gap identified through the assessments.

“This effort has demonstrated how dedicated our members are to going above and beyond for their patients and communities,” said Joshua Suire, MHA, BSN, RN, director, safety and quality, MHA Keystone Center. “It’s been such a pleasure and inspiration to work with the teams at Memorial Healthcare who are clearly committed to excellence in the safety and quality space.”

Memorial Healthcare team members pictured with their honorary plaque of completion from the MHA Keystone Center.

The MHA Keystone Center paid a visit to Memorial, awarding their team with infection glow kits, enhanced barrier precaution signage, education materials and an honorary plaque of completion to celebrate their participation in the project.

“The collaboration and support from the MHA truly makes a difference,” said Gemalsky. “Programs like this are only possible through strong partnerships and we are incredibly thankful for their continued support.”

Those with questions or content ideas for the Hospitals Help series may contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MHA Keystone Center PSO Dashboard: Turning Safety Data into Action

Member News

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) Dashboard in KeyMetrics provides member hospitals with secure access to harm reporting data sourced from Press Ganey’s NextPlane platform. Designed to support patient safety improvement efforts, the dashboard offers clear snapshots of high and low performance across key harm reporting domains.

Members can use this resource to better understand trends in patient safety events, compare performance, and identify opportunities to reduce harm and improve outcomes within their hospitals or health systems. Data includes PSO‑protected reports categorized by event type and severity, ensuring a trusted environment for learning and improvement.

Clinicians can use the dashboard to understand variation in outcomes, support quality improvement initiatives and inform care team discussions. Healthcare leaders can use the tool to monitor performance trends, identify organizational risks and align systemwide quality priorities.

To learn more about how to use this resource, please join an upcoming intro Zoom session:

Access to the dashboard is available through a KeyMetrics account. Members can receive assistance with account setup or dashboard navigation by contacting Andrew Syrek at the MHA Keystone Center.

MHA Keystone Center Pilot Reduces Caregiver Strain

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The MHA Keystone Center, in partnership with the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, released findings from a two-year pilot since implementing the Michigan Caregiver Navigation Toolkit in acute care settings. Results show reductions in caregiver strain and stronger caregiver support infrastructure across two Michigan health systems. Both organizations implemented the toolkit and conducted annual gap analyses to identify workflow gaps, set priorities and integrate caregiver support practices.

The MHA Keystone Center released two KeyLearnings modules to support implementation of the toolkit. The Michigan Caregiver Navigation Toolkit Module guides hospital teams through each section of the toolkit, while the Identifying, Understanding and Communicating the Role of Caregivers Module highlights the physical and emotional impact of caregiving and the importance of timely education, communication and resource support.

Caregiver Burnout as a Quality, Safety Concern

The pilot focused on reducing physical and emotional challenges for individuals caring for friends, neighbors or family members with complex health needs. Lower caregiver strain can lead to more timely support, fewer complications and reduced reliance on high-acuity services. Strengthening caregiver resilience supports improved patient outcomes and safety.

Pilot Sites Demonstrate Improvements

One pilot site reassessed 113 unpaid caregivers two months after initial evaluation and reported improvements across indicators. This includes:

  • Caregiver Intensity Index decreased by 54%
  • Mental health impact decreased by 46%
  • Stress-related drivers decreased by 70%
  • Stress-buffering supports increased by 19%

Caregiver intensity levels also shifted:

  • High-intensity cases decreased from 21 to 1
  • Moderate-intensity cases decreased from 84 to 10
  • Low-intensity cases increased from 8 to 50

These results indicate fewer caregivers remained in high-risk categories after receiving structured support from admission through two months post-discharge.

Guided by the MHA Keystone Center, both health systems implemented core toolkit components, including staff engagement, standardized assessments, community partnerships, communication strategies and sustainability planning. Staffing offsets supported participation in assessments and improvement activities. An online learning module was developed to expand statewide access and is available to members at no cost, along with the toolkit.

Key Takeaways for Quality and Safety Leaders

The pilot offers insights for leaders focused on reducing harm and improving system reliability, including:

  • Reducing caregiver strain supports patient safety by decreasing delays, complications and avoidable utilization
  • Annual gap analyses help identify deficiencies and guide targeted improvements
  • Standardized workflows, education tools and assessments support consistent caregiver practices
  • The model provides a practical path to reduce caregiver-related safety risks and improve outcomes

Members with questions may contact Joshua Suire at the MHA Keystone Center.

Trinity Health Michigan Team Members Recognized with MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center recognized Camryn Smith and Alicia Evans, medical assistants at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipients.

Camryn Smith and Alicia Evans, medical assistants at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, at the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award presentation.

The Speak-up! Award honors individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to preventing harm to patients or staff. Smith and Evans were recognized for speaking up – and jumping into action – after Smith detected an abnormal blood pressure reading while performing a stitch removal.

“Some of the most powerful acts of courage and leadership come from those early in their career,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “The work of the Trinity Health IHA Medical Group team is a strong reminder that every voice matters when it comes to enhancing patient safety. It also underlines the importance of establishing a culture where speaking up is encouraged and supported.”

Upon realizing the patient’s blood pressure results seemed inconsistent using automated equipment, Evans, a medical assistant intern at the time, asked Smith for assistance with a manual pulse check. The two soon learned that the patient’s heart rate was dangerously low and promptly notified an attending provider to further assess the situation.

It was discovered through an electrocardiogram (EKG) that the patient was experiencing an episode of atrial fibrillation (AFib). As a result of Smith and Evans’ prompt attention to detail, the individual was safely transferred to the emergency department for further treatment.

“Camryn and Alicia listened to their instincts and worked together to ensure timely, lifesaving intervention,” said Cindy Elliott, president of Trinity Health Michigan Medical Groups. “Stories like this reinforce our mission and commitment to delivering safe, exceptional care.”

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

Upcoming Opportunities to Prioritize Workplace Safety

Member News

As MHA CEO Brian Peters stated in his April CEO Report, it’s critical – especially during Workplace Violence Prevention Month – to prioritize the safety and well-being of healthcare workers. The MHA Keystone Center and MHA Service Corporation are committed to partnering with experts across the healthcare industry and beyond to support workplace safety initiatives.

Below are upcoming events and learning opportunities tied to this work:

  • Join i2G Systems April 22 for an informative webinar on the Pathway to Prevention, which will review how security technology recently prevented an active violence incident in the healthcare setting.
  • Explore new trauma-informed eLearning opportunities, including de-escalation trainings available by contacting Tarian as well as the Four Myths of Workplace Violence webinar recording.
  • Save the date for the 2026 MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium coming up Oct. 14. The event will feature national speakers including Stephen Weiler, manager of resiliency services at Tarian, who has personally provided active shooter training and more at several MHA-member hospitals.

Contact Rob Wood or the MHA Keystone Center team to learn more.

Keystone Quality and Safety Dashboard Provides At-a-Glance Insights

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The MHA Keystone Center recently rolled out its Quality and Safety Dashboard, a resource that helps Michigan hospitals monitor performance, identify improvement opportunities and reduce patient harm. The dashboard provides an at-a-glance view of performance across key patient safety and quality metrics, supporting data-driven decision-making at both the hospital and health system levels.

The dashboard brings together multiple trusted data sources, including hospital administrative claims, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network infection data, maternal health indicators related to severe maternal morbidity, and select Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Patient Safety Indicators focused on potentially preventable in‑hospital complications.

Clinicians can use the dashboard to understand variation in outcomes, support quality improvement initiatives and inform care team discussions. Healthcare leaders can use the tool to monitor performance trends, identify organizational risk and align systemwide quality priorities.

To learn more about how to use this resource, members are encouraged to attend one of the following Keystone Quality and Safety introduction sessions:

Access to the dashboard is available through a KeyMetrics account. Members can receive assistance with account setup or dashboard navigation by contacting the MHA Keystone Center.

 

MHA CEO Report — Violence Is Not Part of the Job

Member News, MHA Rounds
MHA Rounds graphic of Brian Peters

“Fear is not a good motivator.” — Edgar Schein

MHA Rounds graphic of Brian PetersHealthcare workers accept extraordinary responsibility in their role as caregivers for their community, but fearing for their own safety is never something they should have to accept as part of the job.

During Workplace Violence Prevention Month, we must be clear in our conviction that ensuring the safety of healthcare workers is not optional.

Violence against healthcare workers is rising at a concerning rate. According to a 2025 American Hospital Association report, up to 76% of healthcare workers have reported experiencing violence. Hospitals refuse to accept this as the status quo. Across the state, our members are investing in security enhancements, strengthening de‑escalation training and reinforcing the message that hospitals are places of healing.

But hospitals cannot solve this growing crisis on our own.

Without intentional policy solutions, efforts to reduce violence against healthcare workers will not meet the scope and severity of the problem. Healthcare workers deserve the same legal and workplace safeguards afforded to others who serve the public, like flight attendants and first responders. The MHA continues to advocate for legislation that will cement the expectation that assaulting healthcare workers will not be tolerated into law.

A fragmented approach to addressing workplace violence isn’t sustainable, which is why our members remain actively engaged in coordinated statewide mitigation efforts. Just last month, hospital HR leaders gathered at our annual HR conference and participated in a workplace violence reduction panel discussion. This October, our Safety & Quality Symposium will continue that focus with programming centered on worker safety. The MHA Keystone Center, a certified patient safety organization, supports this work year‑round by facilitating a member‑led workplace safety collaborative and offering educational opportunities, security risk assessments and trainings in partnership with MHA‑endorsed business partner Tarian.

Healthcare workers are there for us during our most vulnerable moments. It is our responsibility to be there for them as well by building cultures of safety that extend not only to patients, but to those supporting and providing care.

During Workplace Violence Prevention Month, and every month thereafter, we must reaffirm our commitment to prioritizing safety and advancing comprehensive solutions that support staff well-being. Protecting healthcare workers is not only fundamental to our values, but also to our ability to deliver the care our communities deserve.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Member Resource Available – Workplace Safety Posters

The MHA developed workplace safety posters for members to display throughout their facilities communicating the consequences of committing physical harm toward healthcare workers or hospital property. The informational posters are geared toward patients, families and visitors, with a couple of creative options available in two sizes. With the help of MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare Language Services, Spanish and Arabic versions are also available. Complimentary copies of the materials are available to MHA members by request through an online order form. Non-members may purchase materials at cost. Questions about materials may be directed to the MHA.