Tag: Speak-up! Award

MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena Nurse Receives Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality
speak up
Laura Smith, RN, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, MHA Keystone Center Q1 Speak-Up! Award honoree.

The MHA Keystone Center presented Laura Smith, RN at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, which celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals demonstrating a commitment to the prevention of patient or staff harm.

Smith was honored on March 9 for her diligence protecting a patient from premature discharge. While this individual was originally cleared to leave the facility, Smith urged the physical therapy team to re-evaluate the patient which led to confirmation that they were not able to move at full capacity or maintain normal oxygen levels. Her attentiveness and choice to follow-up was critical in protecting both the patient from harm and the family from potential distress.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for one of the most rewarding aspects of my job,” said Smith. “Being a patient’s advocate is one of the most important responsibilities of a nurse, and I am proud to work at a hospital where it is encouraged and celebrated.”

Launched in March 2016, the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award promotes a culture within healthcare organizations empowering staff to speak up about the quality or safety of patient care to foster continuous improvement and minimize institutional risk for both patients and providers.

“We are very fortunate to have team members like Laura who are committed to ensuring all our patients receive the dedicated care they deserve,” said Mike Erickson, president, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. “Her recognition is well-deserved, and we appreciate her unwavering commitment to the high standards we set for ourselves at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.”

Additional award finalists for the first quarter of 2022 include:

  • Rebecca Ridenour – RN, Sparrow Hospital
  • Austin Lilley – RN, University of Michigan Health-West
  • Justyna Skowron – RN, Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital

“It’s always a pleasure to celebrate the courageous acts of healthcare workers like Laura,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “The health and well-being of Michigan patients relies on the compassion and thoroughness of those who provide care in our hospitals and health systems every day.”

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

C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Nurse Receives Q2 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center presented Courtney Meagher, RN at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, July 12 with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award.

The MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals demonstrating a commitment to the prevention of patient or staff harm.

Meagher is being honored for her diligence in caring for a patient who accidently removed their tracheostomy tube. While the patient’s oxygen saturation was 100%, Meagher was still concerned with the patient’s breathing after a difficult tracheostomy tube replacement and sought counsel from another nurse. After confirming the patient was breathing from their mouth rather than the tracheostomy tube, the team was able to place a new one in the appropriate position. Meagher’s actions prevented potential harm and any further complications.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a patient advocate,” said Meagher. “I am grateful to work in a system where I feel confident to question, validate and verify to ensure our patients are receiving the best care possible.”

Launched in March 2016, the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award promotes a culture within healthcare organizations empowering staff to speak up about the quality or safety of patient care to foster continuous improvement and minimize institutional risk for both patients and providers.

“Team members like Courtney allow us to lead the way in providing comprehensive, specialized health care for children,” said Luanne Thomas Ewald, MHA, FACHE, chief operating officer, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. “We are grateful to see her recognized for displaying the high safety standards we set to ensure we are providing the highest quality of care.”

Additional award finalists for the second quarter of 2022 include:

  • Claire LaPlaunt, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault, Sault Ste. Marie
  • Areej Kattan, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn

“It’s the steadfast approach of healthcare workers like Courtney that advances the safety and quality of Michigan hospitals,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “She is incredibly deserving of this recognition for her courage to speak up and seek validation for her patient.”

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

MHA Monday Report June 20, 2022

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingBehavioral Health Supplemental Budget, Policy Bills Advance

The Michigan Legislature advanced several hospital-related bills during the week of June 13. Most notably, the Senate advanced a $590 million supplemental appropriations bill related to behavioral health. Several other policy bills the MHA …

Ask Congress to Support SAVE Act to Protect Healthcare Workers

The Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act is newly proposed federal legislation to give healthcare workers the same legal protections against assault and intimidation that flight crews and airport workers have under federal law. U.S. Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Larry Bucshon, MD …

MHA CEO Brian Peters; Beth Bedra, RN, patient safety officer, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, and Sarah Scranton, MPA, vice president, safety and quality, MHA and MHA Keystone executive director.

ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Receives Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center honored Beth Bedra, patient safety officer at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, June 9 with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award. …

Paul KeckleyThe Keckley Report

May 2022 CPI Report: Healthcare Prices Up, Especially Insurers

“Comparatively, healthcare has seen relatively constrained price increases while the rest of the economy’s price hikes have soared: In the last 12 months, the energy index rose 34.6%–the largest 12-month increase 2005, the food index increased 10.1%–the first increase of 10% or more since 1981, vs. 4.0% for medical care–notably the lowest 12 month increase of any category in the CPI.”

Paul Keckley, June 13, 2022

News to Know

The MHA has submitted comments regarding the proposed rule to update the fiscal year 2023 Medicare fee-for-service inpatient prospective payment system.

ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Receives Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Patient Safety and Quality, News Releases
MHA CEO Brian Peters; Beth Bedra, RN, patient safety officer, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, and Sarah Scranton, MPA, vice president, safety and quality, MHA and MHA Keystone executive director.
MHA CEO Brian Peters; Beth Bedra, RN, patient safety officer, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, and Sarah Scranton, MPA, vice president, safety and quality, MHA and MHA Keystone executive director.
MHA CEO Brian Peters; Beth Bedra, RN, patient safety officer, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, and Sarah Scranton, MPA, vice president, safety and quality, MHA and MHA Keystone executive director.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center honored Beth Bedra, patient safety officer at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, June 9 with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, changes were made to the main entrance at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital to accommodate infection control requirements for patient visitors. However, the revised entrance utilized a revolving door that was not suitable for all visitors and posed a safety risk. Beth personally examined the door, reviewed video footage of how patients and their care partners enter and exit the facility and engaged other staff in identifying solutions. As a result, she led efforts to revise the entrance that accommodates the needs of all visitors at the hospital and ensures the safest walkway possible.

“I’m honored to be a recipient of this award and to know that as a team, we’ve been able to improve the patient and visitor experience at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital,” said Bedra. “I’m thankful we have a culture where I could speak up and suggest a change that is in the best interest of safety at the hospital.”

Launched in March 2016, the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award acknowledges individuals or teams within MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization hospitals who speak up to prevent potential harm to patients or other staff members. The award fosters a culture within healthcare organizations that empowers staff to speak up about the quality or safety of patient care.

“We are incredibly grateful to have Beth as part of our team,” said Darrin Arquette, president, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital. “Her years of safety experience, in addition to her perceptive observation skills and attention to detail help improve the safety and quality of care for our staff, patients and their care partners on a daily basis.”

Additional award finalists for the first quarter of 2022 include:

  • Jennifer Helman, NP, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
  • Erin Munsel, PharmD, BCCPS, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
  • Jenny Burton, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital

“The pandemic has created incredible challenges for hospitals and in many instances, drastically changed the visitor experience,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “Beth is a great example that despite the increased stress on healthcare workers, they still display an unwavering commitment to improving safety for all who enter their facilities.”

Specifics on the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online. For more information, contact the MHA Keystone Center PSO.

MHA Monday Report June 13, 2022

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingHouse and Senate Continue Health Policy Testimony

Health policy committees met during the week of June 6 to continue action on three bills that would impact hospitals. Further testimony was taken on legislation to create a new state-based exchange for healthcare insurance …

MHA Draft Comments on IPPS Proposed Rule Available for Member Review

The MHA has drafted comments regarding the fiscal year 2023 Medicare proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). Hospitals are encouraged to review the impact of the proposed rule on …

The Keckley Report

Medicare Trustees Report is Misleading, Especially for Hospitals

“Last Thursday, the Medicare Trustees released their latest assessment of the long-term adequacy of the Trust Funds that reimburse [healthcare providers on] behalf of Medicare’s 64 million seniors andPaul Keckley disabled adults. …

“This report is the Trustees’ 57th. Its projections are developed in two time-frames … A careful read provides a cautionary view about future Medicare funding adequacy.”

Paul Keckley, June 6, 2022

News to Know

The MHA is developing an advocacy day specially designed for small or rural hospital members. Rural Advocacy Day will be held Sept. 21 at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center in downtown Lansing.

MHA in the News

MHA CEO Brian Peters expressed the MHA’s support for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affair’s new implicit bias training requirement for all professions licensed or registered under the Public Health Code in a story by Michigan Capitol Confidential.

Sparrow Hospital Nurse Protects Pediatric Patient, Receives Award

Patient Safety and Quality, News Releases
speak up
Jennifer Brandt
Jennifer Brandt, RN at Sparrow Hospital, receives Speak-up! Award

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center honored Jennifer Brandt, an emergency department registered nurse at Sparrow Hospital, Oct. 21 with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award.

Brandt was caring for a pediatric patient scheduled to be discharged from the emergency department based on lab results. However, Brandt noticed that the patient’s condition appeared to be declining and suggested that the patient be admitted to the hospital. The physician assistant agreed with Brandt’s recommendation, and the patient was admitted to the pediatric unit with subsequent transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit, where the patient was treated for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). MIS-C is a rare but serious condition that occurs after a COVID-19 exposure or infection that can lead to inflammation of vital organs.

“I’m extremely honored to receive this award, but even more so happy that we were able to correctly diagnose our patient and make sure the patient received the care that they needed,” said Brandt. “We have a culture at Sparrow Hospital that makes me comfortable to speak up, which helps ensure our patients receive the best care.”

Launched in March 2016, the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award acknowledges individuals or teams within MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization hospitals who speak up to prevent potential harm to patients or other staff members. The award fosters a culture within healthcare organizations that empowers staff to speak up about the quality or safety of patient care.

“What Jennifer did is what we want all members of our care teams to do if they feel like something may not be right,” said Karen Kent VanGorder, MD, chief medical and quality officer, Sparrow Health System. “The past few months have been extremely busy and taxing on the staff of Sparrow Hospital’s emergency department, but we are blessed to have healthcare heroes like Jennifer caring for patients every day.”

Additional award finalists for the third quarter of 2021 include:

  • Logan Bixman, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital
  • Shelah Perry, McLaren Health Care
  • Carrie Schmoekel, Covenant HealthCare

“Establishing a safety culture that empowers staff to speak up is one very important way that hospitals throughout Michigan are improving safety and quality for their patients,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “We are thrilled to recognize Jennifer and Sparrow Hospital for her actions that ensured a child received the care they needed for a very serious disease.”

Specifics on the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online. For more information, contact the MHA Keystone Center PSO.

War Memorial Employee Speaks Up for Patient Safety, Receives Award

Patient Safety and Quality, News Releases
Speak Up Award logo

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center honored Kelsey Moran, a certified nursing assistant at War Memorial Hospital, with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award July 20.

Moran prevented a potential adverse outcome by persistently advocating for a patient who was looking unwell to receive additional assessments and care. Her act of courage and advocacy resulted in prompt follow-up and prevented the patient’s condition from worsening.

“I truly appreciate receiving this honor and want to thank my care team at War Memorial Hospital for fostering a culture where we all feel comfortable speaking up for our patients,” said Moran. “Most importantly, I’m thankful that we were able to provide top notch care to our patient and that harm was avoided.”

Launched in March 2016, the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award acknowledges individuals or teams within MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization hospitals who speak up to prevent potential harm to patients or other staff members. The award fosters a culture within healthcare organizations that empowers staff to speak up about the quality or safety of patient care.

“We take great pride in the role War Memorial serves in our community and region and the top level of care that our staff delivers to our patients and residents,” said War Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Administrator, Katie Peabody, CTRS, NHA. “Kelsey is a great example to the rest of our staff of the importance of speaking up and advocating for your patient or resident.”

Additional award finalists for the second quarter of 2021 include:

  • Annette Farrelly, Beaumont Hospital, Troy
  • Rebecca Morgan, RN, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital
  • Jennifer Clinansmith, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital

“Throughout Michigan, we have recognized front-line caregivers for speaking up and we are pleased to recognize Kelsey and War Memorial Hospital with their first MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “A strong safety culture where staff feel comfortable speaking up is a top priority for Michigan hospitals as they ensure the best care for their patients.”

Specifics on the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online. For more information, contact the MHA Keystone Center PSO.

Nominations Due April 22 for Quarterly Speak-up! Award

Patient Safety and Quality
Speak Up Award logo

MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! AwardThe deadline to submit a nomination for the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award is 11:59 p.m. April 22.

The award is designed to acknowledge the efforts of individuals or teams within MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) hospitals who speak up to prevent potential harm to patients or other staff members.

Nomination requirements, the evaluation process, previous winners and frequently asked questions are available on the Speak-up! Award webpage. Those with additional questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center PSO.

Bronson Battle Creek Employee Receives Award for Speaking Up for Patient’s Safety

Patient Safety and Quality, News Releases
Mozella Horton Peters

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center honored Mozella Horton-Peters, an environmental services employee at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, April 6, with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award.

Horton-Peters was interacting with a patient when she noticed the patient’s condition worsened and their breathing became labored. She quickly notified a registered nurse, who confirmed the patient required immediate medical attention. Horton-Peters’ swift action to speak up prevented the patient’s condition from reaching a critical state.

“Interacting with patients is a highlight of my role at Bronson Battle Creek,” said Horton-Peters. “The hospital has a culture where we all know we have a role to play in the health of the patient, and I’m glad that I was able to say something so that the patient was okay.”

Created in 2016, the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals in MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) member hospitals who speak up to prevent near misses and potential harm to patients or staff. The award fosters a culture within healthcare organizations that empowers staff to speak up about the quality or safety of patient care.

“Bronson Battle Creek works extremely hard to develop and maintain a strong patient safety culture,” said Kirk Richardson, senior vice president of community care at Bronson. “All members of our care team are empowered to speak up if they have a concern, and we are so proud of Mozella for doing just that.”

Additional award finalists for the first quarter of 2021 include:

  • Connie D’Avanzo-Ordo, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
  • Angie Fossitt, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital
  • Crystal Blackwood, War Memorial Hospital

“Each Speak-up! Award signifies another time when a front-line caregiver spoke up and prevented potential harm to a patient,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “Mozella and Bronson Battle Creek are an example of the commitment Michigan hospitals make to practicing strong safety cultures that put the patient first.”

Specifics on the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online. For more information, contact the MHA Keystone Center PSO.