Tag: patient safety

MHA Monday Report July 13, 2026

Member News, Monday Report

Michigan Legislature Advances Several Healthcare Bills During State Budget Negotiations

The Michigan Legislature passed more than 65 policy bills, including several healthcare-focused measures, as part of the state budget negotiations during the week of June 30. Several healthcare bills advanced from the Legislature to the …

MHA Center of Rural Excellence Board Convenes Inaugural Meeting

The MHA Center of Rural Excellence held its first Board of Directors meeting June 24 during the 2026 MHA Annual Membership Meeting. The board conducted organizational business focused on governance, rural health initiatives and strategic …

Refreshed MHA Website Launches July 14

The MHA will launch a refreshed MHA website July 14, featuring improved navigation, enhanced functionality and a more intuitive user experience designed to improve access to advocacy topics, news, events and resources. Developed based on …

CMS Releases Medicare Proposed Rules for CY 2027

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released proposed rules updating Medicare payment systems and quality reporting requirements for calendar year (CY) 2027.

Excellence in Governance Fellowship Celebrates 2025-26 Graduates

Members of the 2025-26 MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship class graduated June 24. Thirteen fellows completed the nine-month program focused on enhancing board member knowledge, skills and value. …

MDHHS Updates Immunization Documentation Process

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently changed the process for documenting immunizations and the forms that should be used. Effective immediately, providers should discontinue use of the previous Michigan-specific Vaccine Information …

HHS and CMS Launch Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CMS launched the voluntary Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, encouraging hospitals to offer more nutritious, minimally processed meals …

Register for the Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council 2026 Summit

The Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council and the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice are hosting “A Decade of Progress: Advancing Diversion and Crisis Response in Michigan Counties” on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. …

Hospitals Help: Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center Advances Behavioral Healthcare in Northern Michigan

Michigan hospitals are working alongside community partners to remove barriers and ensure residents across the state have access to timely, lifesaving behavioral healthcare services. Located on the Munson Medical Center campus, the Grand Traverse Mental …

Michigan Leaders Discuss Key Healthcare Issues at Mackinac Policy Conference

Healthcare, business and state leaders joined Rich Helppie, host of The Common Bridge Podcast, May 27 at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference to discuss key healthcare issues impacting Michigan hospitals and the communities they serve. …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Affordability Starts with Quality Improvement

Every day, hospitals are working to make care safer, improve outcomes and strengthen the patient experience. Michigan hospitals’ commitment to quality improvement saves lives first and foremost, but it also helps reduce costs by preventing complications, avoiding unnecessary readmissions …

Michigan Hospitals, Always caring, always advancing.

The Keckley Report

The 6 Issues the new AHA CEO Must Address

“Incoming American Hospital Association CEO Steve Walsh inherits the powerful trade group’s future at a pivotal time for hospitals. …

In AHA’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, it vows ‘To advance the health of all individuals and communities. The AHA leads, represents and serves hospitals, health systems and other related organizations that are accountable to communities and committed to equitable care and health improvement for all.’

The task ahead for Walsh and the AHA Board is to refresh its strategy addressing the six issues above with fresh ideas, new solutions, new partners and a vision of the future that’s not constrained by its past.”

Paul Keckley, July 5, 2026

News to Know

  • The MHA Monday Report will continue on a biweekly publication schedule in July, with the next issue publishing July 27. Member alerts and MHA Newsroom articles will continue to be published as needed to keep members informed of important news and advocacy updates.
  • The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is recruiting acute care hospital intensive care units for a free, nine-month program focused on improving evidence-based practices to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia and ventilator-associated events.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner SmarterDx is hosting the Becker’s Healthcare webinar, Inside OHSU’s Prebill AI Solution: What Changed for Revenue, Quality and the CDI Teams, July 29 from noon to 1 p.m. ET.

MHA in the News

MHA Chief Nursing Officer Amy Brown joined CBS Detroit to discuss new federal student loan borrowing limits that took effect July 1, warning how they could create additional barriers for nurses pursuing advanced degrees to …

 

News to Know – July 13, 2026

Member News
  • The MHA Monday Report will continue on a biweekly publication schedule in July, with the next issue publishing July 27. Member alerts and MHA Newsroom articles will continue to be published as needed to keep members informed of important news and advocacy updates.
  • The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is recruiting acute care hospital intensive care units for a free, nine-month program focused on improving evidence-based practices to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia and ventilator-associated events. Participating units will receive expert training and individualized coaching to support sustainable improvements in infection prevention. The MHA Keystone Center encourages members to take advantage of this opportunity. Additional information is available on the program website. Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) SmarterDx is hosting the Becker’s Healthcare webinar, Inside OHSU’s Prebill AI Solution: What Changed for Revenue, Quality and the CDI Teams, July 29 from noon to 1 p.m. ET. Oregon Health & Science University leaders will discuss how they implemented clinical AI across clinical documentation improvement (CDI), coding and physician workflows, its impact on revenue and quality, and lessons learned for other health systems. The webinar is free, but registration is required. Members may learn more on the SmarterDx page or contact JP Korelc, regional vice president of growth, SmarterDx, for additional information. Members seeking information about the MHA’s EBP program may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.

Council Explores AI, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety to Advance Community Health

Member News

The MHA Council on Health Access and Community Impact held its final meeting of the program year June 4 to examine emerging opportunities and challenges shaping healthcare delivery and advancing community health.

The meeting opened with council member storyboards highlighting the realities of delivering care across large rural service areas. Members learned about strategies to expand care closer to home, strengthen community partnerships and address key community needs through initiatives focused on food access, behavioral health services and street medicine programs. The discussion reinforced the importance of regional collaboration and elevating rural health perspectives in statewide efforts.

The MHA advocacy team provided an update on state and federal policy developments. Discussions centered on healthcare affordability proposals, ongoing state budget negotiations, Medicaid funding uncertainty and the potential impacts of federal legislation on healthcare coverage and hospital financing. The council also received an operational update on the launch of the MHA Center of Rural Excellence, a new MHA entity designed to strengthen advocacy and coordination for Michigan’s rural hospitals. Members discussed opportunities to align council priorities with the Rural Health Transformation Program and support efforts that improve health outcomes in rural communities.

A featured presentation from MyMichigan Health explored the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), patient safety and improving care for all patients. Members learned how AI is being used to improve documentation, reduce administrative burden, strengthen patient communication and enhance quality reporting. The presentation emphasized that successful AI adoption requires strong governance, organizational readiness and ongoing evaluation to ensure technology improves care quality for all patient populations without introducing unintended bias.

The deep-dive discussion focused on the Quality Improvement Think Tank, one of three council-led workgroups focused on developing actionable frameworks, workflow strategies and implementation roadmaps to support scalable improvements in quality improvement, patient experience, community engagement and care integration. The group is advancing a framework and toolkit designed to better integrate quality and safety initiatives that improve patient outcomes. Early findings identified challenges related to data limitations, inconsistent processes and sustaining improvement efforts over time. The emerging framework emphasizes strengthening quality and safety through enhanced governance, accountability and the intentional use of data and lived experience to guide continuous improvement.

The meeting concluded with a roundtable discussion on using data dashboards to identify opportunities to improve health outcomes across patient populations. Members shared strategies for leveraging real-time and stratified data to identify trends and inform targeted interventions. Case examples and national best practices reinforced the importance of pairing data insights with action while acknowledging ongoing challenges related to data quality, standardization and workforce engagement.

As the council begins the new program year, it will continue identifying opportunities to strengthen strategies that improve health outcomes in the communities members serve.

Members with questions about the council’s work should contact Ewa Panetta at the MHA.

House Health Policy Hears Testimony on Behavioral Health Transport Legislation

Member News

Legislation addressing behavioral health transport received testimony in the House Health Policy Committee during the week of June 15, while other key healthcare bills advanced in the legislature.

Kyle Hoffmaster, director of patient access, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, testifies before the House Health Policy Committee in support of legislation establishing a licensure framework for behavioral health transportation services in Michigan.

House Bills (HB) 5943–5944, sponsored by Reps. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek) and Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), received a hearing before the House Health Policy Committee. The bills would establish a licensure framework for behavioral health transportation services in Michigan and require Medicaid coverage for those services. Kyle Hoffmaster, director of patient access, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, testified on behalf of hospitals and discussed how behavioral health transport services reduce patient wait times and provide a safe, secure alternative for transporting individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Kelsey Ostergren, senior director, health policy, MHA, also testified before the committee and emphasized that the legislation would expand access to care, while generating significant Medicaid savings. The MHA looks forward to the House Health Policy Committee advancing this legislation.

The House Health Policy Committee also considered HBs 5728–5738, which would relieve hospitals of administratively burdensome and duplicative requirements for substance use disorder program licensure. The MHA supports this legislation. The committee also voted unanimously to advance several bipartisan bills addressing medical debt. HBs 5254–5255 and 6071–6073, along with Senate Bills (SB) 449–451 and SBs 701–702, are companion measures that would codify hospital financial assistance programs (FAPs), establish reporting requirements for FAP benefits and prohibit medical debt from being reported to credit bureaus. The legislation would also modify medical debt collection practices, including restrictions on the sale of medical debt and limits on interest charges. These bills have now been referred to the House floor for further consideration.

The House Rules Committee voted to advance HB 4864, sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), which would revise the definition of elevated blood lead levels for lead abatement purposes. The Senate Health Policy Committee also approved SB 1011, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores). The bill would create a small-business health pool, allowing employers with 500 or fewer employees to establish state-regulated multiple-employer welfare arrangements that provide health coverage for eligible employees and self-employed individuals.

Lastly, the Michigan Senate passed SBs 973–978, led by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), which would create a state-based health insurance exchange in Michigan. The bills would allow the Department of Insurance and Financial Services to seek a federal waiver to establish the exchange and maintain contracts with participating health plans. The MHA supports HB 4864, SB 1011 and SBs 973-977.

Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.

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.

MHA Reinforces Evidence-Based Vaccination Guidelines

Member News

The MHA is strengthening its commitment to evidence-based immunization practices under the guidance of the MHA Healthcare and Public Health Integration Council and chief medical and nursing leaders. Efforts include distributing educational resources, reaffirming alignment with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommendations and releasing a public statement.

Gary Roth, DO, MBA, FACOS, FCCM, FACS, chief medical officer, MHA issued a media statement Feb. 4 endorsing the American Academy of Pediatrics immunization schedule. This comes amid concerns that some local health departments have issued guidance that deviates from established standards.

With families receiving vaccine information from various sources, confusion may occur. Healthcare providers continue to serve as trusted voices by offering clear, science-based guidance. Adherence to established immunization schedules remains essential to protecting public health and preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.

Members with questions regarding vaccinations may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

MHA Keystone Board Reviews Workplace Violence Prevention and Maternal Health Efforts

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The MHA Keystone Board of Directors met Nov. 12 to review ongoing work to improve safety and quality across member organizations. The meeting opened with a connect-to-purpose story shared by Keystone Board Chair Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, CENP, vice president of nursing operations, Henry Ford Health, which reinforced Keystone’s focus on preventing workplace violence.

The board discussed strategies to address violence in healthcare settings, including clinics and off-site locations. Members reviewed efforts to strengthen policies, training and coordinated approaches that support safer environments for healthcare workers. The discussion emphasized that workplace violence affects staff well-being, patient safety and overall organizational performance.

The board also reviewed maternal health priorities, including the MI AIM program and the framework for maternal levels of care. The overview highlighted how levels of care categorize facilities based on their ability to provide specialized maternal services, ensuring that patients receive appropriate care tailored to their clinical needs.

The board will receive a detailed presentation on Keystone initiatives related to maternal health at a future meeting. The presentation will outline opportunities for board support in advancing work to improve maternal and infant care.

The meeting reaffirmed Keystone’s commitment to addressing critical safety and quality issues through collaborative leadership and continuous improvement.

Members with questions may contact Amy Brown at the MHA.