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| September 29, 2017 | Vol. 18 No. 33
Welcome!
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| Local, State and National News
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Tackling the opioid crisis in a rural community
One death a day in Maine is caused by an opioid overdose. Bridgton family practice physician Craig Smith, M.D., a member of the Bridgton Hospital medical staff, is on the front line in the battle against the crisis that is harming people of all ages and all walks of life – not just in Maine, but in communities large and small across the country. READ MORE. AHA News, September 27, 2017
What's next in the health care debate?
Once again, the Senate attempted to pass a proposal to repeal and replace significant parts of the Affordable Care Act. Once again, it met defeat – and we are grateful. But this fight is not over. America’s hospitals and health systems must stay vigilant and continue to make the case to protect coverage for patients. READ MORE. AHA STAT, September 29, 2017
221 House members urge Congress to delay Medicaid DSH cuts
Two hundred twenty-one members of the House of Representatives today urged congressional leaders to delay for at least two more years cuts to hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of Medicaid and uninsured patients. “Should Congress fail to delay the cuts scheduled to begin on Oct. 1, safety net hospitals will face a financial shortfall of $2 billion in [fiscal year] 2018,” the representatives wrote. “…Our nation’s hospitals cannot sustain losses of this magnitude. Institutions will be forced to shutter, leaving our constituents without a safety net. We ask that you work swiftly to delay these cuts for at least two fiscal years, through 2020, or until a more sustainable, permanent solution is reached.” AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels said, “The Medicaid DSH program provides financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations – the poor, children, the disabled, and the elderly. The AHA remains committed to working with Congress to continue to stop the Medicaid DSH cuts, and we thank Representatives Engel, Culberson, and Palazzo for leading this bipartisan effort to postpone the cuts for at least an additional two years.”
AHA News Now, September 28, 2017
CMS Announces Special Enrollment Periods for Americans Impacted by Recent Hurricanes
Agency provides special open enrollment periods for 2017 Medicare and Exchange coverageAs a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will make available special enrollment periods for all Medicare beneficiaries and certain individuals seeking health plans offered through the Federal Health Insurance Exchange. This important step gives these individuals and families who have been impacted by the hurricanes the opportunity to change their Medicare health and prescription drug plans and gain access to health coverage on the Exchange immediately if eligible for a special enrollment period. READ MORE.
CMS news release, September 28, 2017
Special Message from AHA President & CEO, Rick Pollack
PUERTO RICO UPDATE & HOW YOU CAN HELP
This month, Puerto Rico was battered by two powerful storms – Hurricanes Irma and Maria. While the full extent of the disaster is still unfolding, it is clear that the island has sustained historic damage from which it will likely take years to recover. The magnitude of the devastation cannot be overstated. The American Hospital Association has a long and strong relationship with the Puerto Rico Hospital Association and hospitals throughout the island. As part of our efforts, we have activated The Care Fund – www.thecarefund.net – to provide support to hospital employees in Puerto Rico affected by the storms. READ MORE.
AHA News, September 28, 2017
Gov. Ricketts Honors 2017 Recipients of the Governor’s Wellness Award
LINCOLN–Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced this year’s recipients of the Governor’s Wellness Award. A total of 54 Nebraska employers representing 34 communities are being honored for offering evidence-based worksite wellness programs for their employees. FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE. Office of Gov. Ricketts news release, September 19, 2017
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Over 60 million Americans live in rural and frontier communities. Rural communities are wonderful places to live and work, but these communities also have unique health care needs, which is why the National Organization of State Offices of Rural sets aside the third Thursday of every November – November 16, 2017 – to celebrate National Rural Health Day!
Resources to help you promote and celebrate National Rural Health Day:
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Lane Thomas Foundation, Nebraska Medicine and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Announce Collaboration
OMAHA—The Lane Thomas Foundation, established by Matt and Melissa Graves as a way to carry on their son Lane’s legacy, provides support to families involved in and dealing with the complexities and pressures associated with pediatric organ transplant. The Foundation works in collaboration with both Children's Hospital & Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine in support of their Pediatric Transplant Programs. READ MORE.
Fillmore County Hospital hosts open house to meet new CEO
GENEVA—Fillmore County Hospital will host an open house to welcome and meet their new CEO, Chris Nichols, on Friday, October 13, 2017, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. READ MORE.
McCook area residents encouraged to attend Insurance Listening Sessions
MCCOOK—Community Hospital is inviting the public to attend a listening session about health insurance. The session, presented by the Nebraska Department of Insurance, will be Monday, October 2 from 3-5 p.m. in Community Hospital’s Prairie View A conference room. READ MORE.
Women's Hospital first in state to earn Acute Stroke Certification
OMAHA – Individuals experiencing stroke-like symptoms in the west Omaha area will now have faster access to treatment, thanks to Methodist Women’s Hospital. This week Methodist Women’s Hospital became the first Acute Stroke Ready Hospital in Nebraska certified by the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. READ MORE.
UNMC nursing grads score high on national licensure exam
Scores reflect quality of UNMC nursing program
OMAHA—Recent UNMC nursing graduates achieved a 96 percent first-attempt pass rate of the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX. It’s the most important test for those who want to be licensed to practice as a registered nurse -- the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The standardized test evaluates knowledge and skills to determine if the graduate is ready to practice nursing. College officials say the pass rate is important not only for students but it also reflects nursing program quality and recruiting. READ MORE.
JCH&L plans breakfast for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
FAIRBURY—Join Jefferson Community Health & Life Radiology for a free breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 4, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Come and enjoy breakfast, have a chance to win door prizes, get information on breast density, and make your mammogram appointment. LEARN MORE.
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| Does your hospital have a story or press release to share? If so, please send them to Kim Larson, Director of Marketing, for possible inclusion in Newslink or another NHA publication. Submit your entries to Kim via email.
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NHA Annual Convention open for registrations!
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Chadron Community Hospital & Health Services, Chadron
Jessica Grote, RN, MSN, is now the Chief Patient Care Officer and can be (308) 432-0454 or tqi@chadronhospital.com. CHI Health, Omaha
Kathy Bressler is now Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for the health system. Kathy can be reached at (402) 343-4326 or kathy.bressler@alegent.org. Regional West Health Services, Scottsbluff
The hospital has announced the following new employees: John Rieke, RWHS Chief Operating Officer, started September 2017
John.Rieke@RWHS.org ; (308) 630-1469 office Sam Norton, RWHS Chief Information Officer, starts October 2017
Sam.Norton@RWHS.org ; (308) 630-1299 office Select Specialty Hospital, Lincoln
Connie Siffring is now the Chief Executive Officer and can be reached at (402) 483-8474 or csiffring@selectmedical.com.
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| Do you have updates for your hospital?
If you have any updates to email addresses, phone numbers or job title changes for your hospital, please let the NHA know. Contact Heather Bullock, Member Services & Events Manager, at (402) 742-8148 or via email.
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Nursing Management Courses
careLearning has partnered with the Future of Nursing to offer their courses throughout the United States. The Future of Nursing West Virginia works to create a culture of health through advancing nursing practice, nursing education and nursing leadership.
The Nursing Management subscription includes:
- Budgeting
- Coaching and Developing Employees
- Planning and Goal Setting
- Regulatory Management
- Nursing Ethics
- Staffing
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Patient Safety
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The Business of Diabetes in Nebraska
October 4, 2017
University of Nebraska’s Innovation Campus, Lincoln
Brochure
RegisterNHA-LMA Fall Workers' Compensation Seminars
"857 Pages in 60 Minutes: Highlights of the Proposed 2018 Physician Fee Schedule, and Hospital OPPS and IPPS Rules"
October 9, 2017 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
South Sioux City Provider Town Hall
October 10, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Marina Inn
385 E. 4th Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
Norfolk Town Hall
October 11, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Northeast Community College
Lifelong Learning Center
801 E. Benjamin Street
Nebraska Tech Summit
October 10, 2017
Innovation Campus - Lincoln
Learn more
Jointly Provided by Nebraska Infection Control Network (NICN), Nebraska Infection Control Assessment & Promotion Program (ICAP), Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Epidemiology Unit and Clarkson College Professional Development
October 12-13, 2017
Nebraska Medicine, Omaha
October 20, 2017
Graduate Lincoln
141 N 9th Street, Lincoln
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NHA Newslink is published by the Nebraska Hospital Association Phone: (402) 742-8140 info@nebraskahospitals.org
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3255 Salt Creek Circle Suite 100 | Lincoln, NE 68504 US
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