IHA News Update - March 11, 2009

The following is the cut and paste of the March 11 IHA News Update. Items of interest to healthcare quality professionals are highlighted in red.


Hospital Leaders Meet With Legislators at Hospital Day
IHA members interacted with more than half of the General Assembly during yesterday’s Hospital Day at the Statehouse. “Hospital Day was a huge success,” said Matthew Bailey, IHA chairman and president of Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes. “There was a lot of interaction between members and legislators, and the governor’s address was a great addition to the program.”

The meeting began with a lively Indiana Week in Review panel discussion led by WISH TV’s Jim Shella. Next, IHA presented an award to Gov. Daniels. The governor addressed the group and then took member questions. He commended hospital leaders for their statesmanship and praised members for placing patients’ needs before institutional needs. In particular he noted leadership in regards to patient safety and expanding access through the Healthy Indiana Plan. The governor also talked about improving Indiana’s health status measures and health information technology.

Members were also provided with a legislative update, talking points, and a Statehouse tour. The 2008 PAC awards were also presented. Attendance at the legislator reception exceeded expectations. Many hospitals were able to meet with their legislators during the reception and others scheduled meetings with them during the day.

Click here to view photos from yesterday’s Hospital Day at the Statehouse.

PAC Award Winners Announced at Hospital Day
IHA recognized several hospitals for their performance during the 2008 Friends of Indiana Hospitals campaign at Hospital Day.

The William S. Hall Award, IHA’s “most-improved” award went to Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes. Matthew Bailey is president and CEO. Two organizations earned honorable mentions for this category—Bloomington Hospital, Mark E. Moore, president/CEO; and St. Catherine Hospital Inc., East Chicago, Jo Ann Birdzell, administrator.

The highest percentage of goal award went to Henry County Hospital, New Castle. Blake Dye is president and CEO. Honorable mentions for this category went to Dupont Hospital, Fort Wayne, Dr. Michael H. Schatzlein, president/CEO; Bedford Regional Medical Center, Bradford W. Dykes, president/CEO; and Schneck Medical Center, Seymour, Gary A. Meyer, president/CEO.

AHAPAC MVP awards were also presented. The AHA MVP award winners were Blake Dye, president/CEO, Henry County Hospital, New Castle; and Matthew Bailey, president/CEO, Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes.

Bloomington, Clarian to Merge
Bloomington Hospital is moving forward with plans to integrate with Indianapolis-based Clarian Health. A definitive agreement has been signed. The merger is expected to be completed in 18 months.

ISDH Alerts Hospitals to Spend Disaster Funds Now
The Indiana State Department of Health is alerting hospitals that all disaster preparedness funds received under the 2008 contract must be spent by June 30 or will be subject to forfeiture to the state. Contract funds received in 2009 must be spent by Oct.7. If additional needs cannot be identified within an organization, funds may also be signed over to their districts for use on projects.

Seventeen percent of funds issued through the ISDH have not been reported as spent. Consult with your disaster preparedness coordinator to ensure that you have appropriately documented and reported your expenditures and that all funds are being used to improve your organization's disaster preparedness.

Program on Stimulus Provisions Set for April 23
Register now for e-Health Care Transformation: Demystifying the Stimulus Bill HITECH Provisions. The program is set for April 23 at the Montage, Indianapolis. Topics to be covered include medical identity theft red flags, mandated e-prescribing, HIPAA privacy and security requirement changes, and the implementation of telehealth to address workforce shortage issues. The program will also provide an overview of the economic stimulus package provisions for information technology and a practical approach to spending stimulus dollars on heath IT projects. To register, visit www.regonline.com/iha2009e-health.

IHA Leadership Conference set for May 21
Mark your calendars for the 2009 IHA Leadership Conference set for May 21 at The Montage, Indianapolis. The program will be led by Sg2 Chairman and CEO Michael Sachs. Sachs will provide demand forecasts using IHA’s inpatient and outpatient data. The forecast will factor in market volatility; alignment changes; demand shifts; and changes in coverage.

Using effective forecasting techniques, this program will help leaders manage uncertainty by projecting how change will impact health care service delivery in the future. Registration information will be available in the near future. To learn more about Sg2 visit their Web site at http://www.sg2.com/.

Registration Deadline for Retention Briefing Extended
The registration deadline for Engaging and Retaining Nurses: A Prescription for Redesign in Tough Economic Times has been extended until Monday. The program is set for March 18 at the Hilton Indianapolis North. Following the session, participants will have: an understanding of the role nurse retention plays in effective and efficient care; knowledge of Transforming Care at the Bedside—its principles, processes, and outcomes; an understanding of “vitality” and its contribution to nurse retention and care redesign; tools for measuring and improving vitality among nurses and other caregivers; a framework for developing nursing leadership competencies to support innovation; and techniques to engage frontline staff. To register, visit www.regonline.com/iha2009rnretention.

careLearning Informational Webinar Set for April 9
careLearning will host an informational webinar on April 9 for those interested in learning more about online education opportunities. The program will feature an overview of careSkills- a competency module that allows health care organizations to identify, assess, and analyze the skills, knowledge, and abilities of its workforce. Several IHA members are already enjoying the numerous benefits careLearning has to offer. Click here to read the careLearning newsletter and to view a list of upcoming webinars. You do not have to be a member of careLearning to participate in the webinars.

WHO to Launch Global Hand Hygiene Initiative
In May, the World Health Organizations will launch a new global initiative called SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands. The aim is to globally improve hand hygiene compliance in order to improve patient safety. The WHO hopes to engage 5000 hospitals by 2010. Over 280 hospitals have already indicated their interest in participating. Learn more at savelives@who.int.