Wisconsin hospitals are investing in health information technology that will improve clinical performance and communication between patients and health care professionals in spite of the heavy start-up and operating costs. These technologies are expected to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of Wisconsin’s health care delivery system, according to a report released today by the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA).

Nearly 90 percent of Wisconsin’s hospitals report that they have either partially or fully implemented five or more key health information technology (HIT) systems. Nearly 40 percent report a high adoption rate and a total of 76 percent report moderate or high level of HIT use. These technologies include advancements in the way medications are tracked and delivered to the patient, the ability to bring laboratory and medical imaging results into the computerized patient chart, and a host of other advantages that facilitate electronic record keeping.

The report, based on a survey of 122 acute care hospitals, focused on 16 HIT systems that are in use in hospitals today. The survey had a 100 percent response rate. (The full report is available on the WHA Web site at www.wha.org.)

"Hospitals are investing in information technology because these tools have the potential to save lives and transform care," according to Dana Richardson, WHA vice president of quality initiatives. For example, physicians can rapidly access health records for a critically ill patient even when the physician is not physically in the hospital.

"The ability for physicians and nurses to access a patient’s complete medical history as he or she receives information about the patient’s current illness is revolutionizing medicine," Richardson said. "Rapid access to a patient’s medical history is improving decision-making, which is one of the most important reasons to make the investment in information technology."

Advancements in health information technology also boost the efficiency of health care delivery systems. Multiple care providers can view records simultaneously and receive the latest patient data and results no matter where the patient received the test or examination. By ensuring that medical test results are available more quickly, the need for redundant tests is eliminated.

Richardson, who manages Wisconsin’s hospital quality public reporting program, CheckPoint, said advances in health information technology also enhance hospitals’ ability to collect data for quality improvement and public reporting purposes. Wisconsin is a nationally-recognized leader in hospital quality and safety public reporting, starting in 2004 with the launch of CheckPoint (www.wicheckpoint.org). Wisconsin consistently ranks at the top nationally for the quality of its health care.

"The ability to collect, compare and analyze data are key drivers to quality improvement," Richardson said. "Wisconsin is consistently ranked at the top for the quality of their patient care while being a nationally-recognized leader in public reporting. We believe those two factors are linked because you naturally strive to improve what you can measure."

While hospitals are well aware of the advantages offered by HIT, a 2006 survey conducted by the American Hospital Association identified cost as the leading barrier to HIT implementation. With a median purchase cost of HIT pegged at $5,000 per bed per year and operating costs of $12,000 per bed per year, cost emerged as the single largest hurdle to adopting these technologies, according to the survey.

One of the key expectations of HIT is to reduce the risk of errors and improve patient safety. For example, the use of technology can help ensure the right patient is receiving the right medication at the right time. This safety check is accomplished through the use of bedside medication verification systems, an example of which is a bar-coded patient wristband that is scanned against a medication bar code that ensures the correct medication is given to a patient. A code warns the caregiver if the medication does not match those prescribed for that patient. The survey showed that nearly half of Wisconsin hospitals are in the planning stage for a bedside medication verification system, while 46 percent have fully or partially implemented this safety technology.

WHA President Steve Brenton said in spite of the heavy start-up and operating costs, Wisconsin hospitals are investing in health information technology.

"Hospitals recognize their role in transforming the health care delivery system. It is, however, a staggering commitment of human and financial resources," according to Brenton. "Hospitals cannot do it alone. All health care system participants who benefit—patients, employers, government programs and insurers—have a stake in this investment," he added.

David Olson, president/CEO, Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette, has been selected by the WHA Nominating Committee to serve as WHA’s chair-elect in 2009 and chair in 2010. Mike Schafer, CEO/administrator at Spooner Health System, will chair the WHA Board of Directors in 2009. Both gentlemen have impressive records of professional and community service.

Olson joined Bay Area Medical Center as the chief operating officer in November 1998 and was named president/CEO in November 1999. Bay Area Medical Center is a 99-bed, acute care facility and freestanding occupational rehabilitation center. The medical center is the result of a merger between two county-owned facilities in Michigan and Wisconsin with over 800 employees.

Olson served as president and CEO of Victory Medical Center in Stanley from 1994 to 1995. From 1994 to 1998 he served as vice president of administrative services for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He was also the president of the Foundation of St. Joseph’s Hospital.

A WHA Board member since 2003, Olson currently chairs the Public Policy Council, is a member of the WHA Task Force on Access and Coverage, and serves on the Executive and Advocacy Committees. Olson received the 2004 Wisconsin Hospital Association All Star Advocacy Award.

A native of Barron, Wisconsin, Olson is a 1986 alumni of the University of Iowa with a master’s degree in hospital and health administration. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa, and he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Olson is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). In 2000, he was selected ACHE Young Healthcare Executive, and in 2001 was named the Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award winner for Young Healthcare Executive of the Year. He was elected to the Council of Regents, the ACHE legislative body, in February of 2004.

Schafer joined Spooner Health System in 1990. The system includes a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, a 90-bed skilled nursing facility, and a home health agency. Schafer initiated and facilitated the conversion to a CAH and directed major renovation projects at both the nursing home and hospital.

A WHA Board member since 2000, Schafer currently serves on the Executive, Advocacy and Audit Committees, is past chair of the Council on Workforce Development and has served on the Public Policy and Rural Health Councils.

Schafer received his Bachelor of Arts degree in both business and hospital administration from Concordia College, Moorhead, and his master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Minnesota–Minneapolis. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

The Wisconsin Hospitals state political action funds fundraising campaign topped the $160,000 mark this week. The state political action funds include the Wisconsin Hospitals Conduit and Wisconsin Hospitals PAC. To date, the campaign garnered a total of $160,257 in contributions. This puts the 2008 campaign at 76 percent of its $210,000 goal.

Individual contributions are up as well. In 2008, 457 individuals have contributed an average of $350. At this same time last year, the average contribution was $318.

2008 contributors to date are listed below. Individual contributors are by name and affiliated organization. Contributors are listed alphabetically by contribution category.

For more information, contact Jenny Boese at 608-274-1820 or Jodi Bloch at 608-217-9508.

Contributions Ranging from $1 - $249

Abels, Maya Aurora Health Care

Ackerman, Jamie Sacred Heart Hospital

Adams, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Ambs, Kathleen St. Mary’s Hospital

Anderson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital

Anich, Matthew Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Arendt, Kathleen Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Ashbeck, Norbert Good Samaritan Health Center of Merrill

Axelsen, Kathern Sacred Heart Hospital

Ayers, Mandy Wisconsin Hospital Association

Baer, James Shawano Medical Center

Barkovich, Catherine Sacred Heart Hospital

Bartingale, Robert St. Vincent Hospital

Bauer, David Sacred Heart Hospital

Beckler, Rick Sacred Heart Hospital

Beglinger, Joan St. Mary’s Hospital

Bellin, Carolyn Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Benz, Staci Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Bernklau, Robert Memorial Health Center

Bertsch, Cynthia St. Nicholas Hospital

Bjork, Ted Westfields Hospital

Block, Jennifer Sacred Heart Hospital

Bloom, Deborah Sacred Heart Hospital

Bosio, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Bouvat, Dale Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Bowe, Cynthia Sacred Heart Hospital

Bowman, Andrew Sacred Heart Hospital

Brauer, Theresa Aurora Medical Center - Manitowoc

Braun, James Flambeau Hospital

Brenholt, Craig St. Mary’s Hospital

Brenny, Terrence Stoughton Hospital Association

Brockman, Susan Meriter Hospital

Bryans, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital

Burgener, Jean Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Burtch, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Busch, Rebecca Spooner Health System

Buss, Diane St. Mary’s Hospital

Campau, Patricia Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus

Carlson, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital

Carr Lee, Mary Meriter Hospital

Carrier-Diemer, Peggy Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Casey, Candy Columbia Center

Caven, Michael Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Censky, Bill Holy Family Memorial Medical Center

Christensen, Leslie St. Mary’s Hospital

Christensen, Leslie St. Mary’s Hospital

Cich, Dawn St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior

Cisler-Cahill, Lorna Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Clapp, Nicole Grant Regional Health Center

Cleveland, Herbert Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Coblentz, Kathy Jo St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

Cohen, Joan Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Colby, Daniel Mercy Health System

Coller, James St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center

Colpaert, Gary Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Dalebroux, Steve St. Mary’s Hospital

Danzinger, Marcia Sacred Heart Hospital

Davis, Kathleen Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

DeMars, Nancy Sacred Heart Hospital

Derks, Darla Sacred Heart Hospital

DeWitt, Pamela St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

Dittrich, Peggy Memorial Health Center

Dougherty, Kim Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Ducommun, Shellie Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Dwyer, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital

Dwyer, Maxine St. Mary’s Hospital

Eady, Diane Sacred Heart Hospital

Ellis, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Erickson, William Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals

Eskridge, Melissa Sacred Heart Hospital

Evenson, Wendy Sacred Heart Hospital

Ewing, Thomas Aurora Health Care

Facey, Alice St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Fink, MD, Jordan Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Fisker, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Flanagan, Tracy Sacred Heart Hospital

Floyd, Duane Watertown Memorial Hospital

Fochs, Mary Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Folstad, John Sacred Heart Hospital

Fuchs, Thomas St. Joseph’s Hospital

Galfano, Victor Sacred Heart Hospital

Gantner, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Garavet, Scott Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Garcia, Dawn Sacred Heart Hospital

Gengler, Tim Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Gilmore, Ronald

Godden, Scott Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Gorecki, Susan Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Govier, Mary Holy Family Memorial Medical Center

Green, Mary Jean Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Gruber, Richard Mercy Health System

Gulan, Maria Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Gullicksrud, Lynn Sacred Heart Hospital

Halberg, Carole St. Mary’s Hospital

Hassemer, Robert Sacred Heart Hospital

Hedrington, Brian Sacred Heart Hospital

Herbert, William Meriter Hospital

Hieb, Laura Bellin Memorial Hospital

Hink, Dawn Sacred Heart Hospital

Hoege, Beverly Reedsburg Area Medical Center

Holmes, Sheri Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Huemmer, Paul St. Mary’s Hospital

Iding, Laura Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Jablonske, William St. Joseph’s Hospital

Jacobsen, Joan Meriter Hospital

Jahn, Timothy St. Vincent Hospital

Jain, Raj St. Mary’s Hospital

Jay, John Community Memorial Hospital

Jelle, Laura St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Jensema, Christine St. Nicholas Hospital

Johnson, Jean Sacred Heart Hospital

Johnson, Kimberly Sacred Heart Hospital

Johnson, Patricia Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home

Jones, Linda Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Juckem, Elizabeth Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus

Kachelski, Barb Wisconsin Hospital Association

Kaiser, Ann Sacred Heart Hospital

Karoliussen, Dave Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals-

Tomahawk

Kempen, Patricia Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Kleinschmidt, Sharon Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Klinge, Ann Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Koeppl, Gina St. Mary’s Hospital

Korff, Sally St. Nicholas Hospital

Larson, Piper Sacred Heart Hospital

Leonard, Mary Kay St. Mary’s Hospital

Lien, Kristine Sacred Heart Hospital

Lodes, Mary Waukesha Memorial Hospital

Lucas, Roger Aspirus Wausau Hospital

LuCore, Patricia Sacred Heart Hospital

Luskin, Ronald Arnold and O’Sheridan, Inc.

Lynch, Sue Franciscan Skemp Healthcare-La Crosse

Mackey, Theresa Sacred Heart Hospital

Marks, Susan Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Marsch, Jean St. Vincent Hospital

Maulson, Andrea St. Mary’s Hospital

Maurer, Mary Holy Family Memorial Medical Center

McCoic, Kristie St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

McKay, Jean Sacred Heart Hospital

Meicher, John St. Mary’s Hospital

Meyer, Markie Community Memorial Hospital

Mickelson, Ronald St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Mohr, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital

Morauske, Michelle WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Mueller, Bonita St. Mary’s Hospital

Mulder, Doris Beloit Memorial Hospital

Myre, Judy Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals-Tomahawk

Needham, Jean Westfields Hospital

Neitzel, Kristin Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Nelson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital

Nemeth, Joseph Mercy Health System

Ness, Nita Sacred Heart Hospital

Nezworski, Joseph Sacred Heart Hospital

Nohelty, Peter Sacred Heart Hospital

Norell, Brett Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Nulsen, Kate Sacred Heart Hospital

Oerter, Tracy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Olson, Bonnie Sacred Heart Hospital

Onsager, Sandra St. Mary’s Hospital

Padilla, Gilbert Sacred Heart Hospital

Palecek, Steve Sacred Heart Hospital

Peck, Lori Memorial Health Center

Peiffer, Susan Sacred Heart Hospital

Pengra, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital

Penovich, Carrie Aurora Health Care

Peters, Kenneth Bellin Memorial Hospital

Petersen, Susan Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Peterson, Brenda Sacred Heart Hospital

Peterson, Lawrence St. Mary’s Hospital

Pielhop, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital

Pieters, Donald St. Nicholas Hospital

Piper, Barbara Sacred Heart Hospital

Pittenger, Jeannie Sacred Heart Hospital

Policello, Louise Bay Area Medical Center

Pollard, Dennis Community Memorial Hospital

Poquette, Jane Sacred Heart Hospital

Powell, Stacey Sacred Heart Hospital

Powers, Mary Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Preston, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital

Prince, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Rademacher, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Rasmussen, Kathy Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home

Reinke, Kathy Shawano Medical Center

Richbourg, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital

Roethle, Linda Bellin Psychiatric Center

Rosien, Shirley Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Rothfuss, James Meriter Hospital

Roundy, Ann Columbus Community Hospital

Santini, Kathy Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Schaefer, Mark Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Schaetzl, Ron St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Schneck, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital

Schnell, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital

Schoff, Dennis Sacred Heart Hospital

Schraufnagel, Patricia Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Schultz, Rebecca Sacred Heart Hospital

Schwoegler, Mary St. Mary’s Hospital

Scinto, Jeanne Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Segerstrom, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital

Selberg, Heidi St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center

Sergey, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital

Sheehan, Heather Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home

Skulan-Balmer, Anna Sacred Heart Hospital

Skye, Dorothy Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals

Smith, Julie Sacred Heart Hospital

Sood, Manu Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Sorenson, Heather Sacred Heart Hospital

Sorenson, Jim Sacred Heart Hospital

Soward, Cindy Sacred Heart Hospital

Sparks, Steven St. Mary’s Hospital

Spindler, Greg Sacred Heart Hospital

Sprengeler, John Sacred Heart Hospital

Stefonek, Duane Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals

Stelzer, Jason St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Stone, Stacy Sacred Heart Hospital

Storing, Sandy Sacred Heart Hospital

Sullivan, Anne Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Swanson, Becky Sacred Heart Hospital

Swiderski, Julie Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Tandberg, Christine Sacred Heart Hospital

Tate, Marceline Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Tietz, Llewellyn Community Memorial Hospital

Totka, Joan Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Tryba, Jennifer Aspirus Wausau Hospital

VanDeVoort, John Sacred Heart Hospital

Vogler, Linda Sacred Heart Hospital

Vogt, Paula Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Voigt, Yolanda Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Waldoch, Timothy Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Walker, Troy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Werlein, George Sacred Heart Hospital

Werner, Andrea Bellin Memorial Hospital

Westbrook, Diane River Falls Area Hospital

Wiedeman, Karen Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals

Wise, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital

Woleske, Chris Bond Health Center

Worthing, Kelli Sacred Heart Hospital

Wymelenberg, Tracy Aurora Health Care

Zaher, Beth

Zemaitis, Tom Sacred Heart Hospital

Zimmerman, Christine Sacred Heart Hospital


Contributions Ranging from $250 - $499

Abitz, John WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Arnett, E. Stuart Aurora Health Care-South Region

Ashenhurst, Karla Ministry Health Care

Bagemihl, Katherine Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Baker, Chris St. Mary’s Hospital

Bayer, Tom St. Vincent Hospital

Bestor, William Community Memorial Hospital

Biros, Marilyn SSM Health Care-Wisconsin

Blanchard, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Borgerding, Dana

Brandel, Patrick Holy Family Memorial Medical Center

Bruss, Lori Roberts Group, The

Bukowski, Cathy Our Lady of Victory Hospital

Calhoun, William Mercy Medical Center

Callies, Julie WHA Information Center

Canter, Richard Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

Carlson, Dan Bay Area Medical Center

Clough, Sheila Howard Young Medical Center

Coleman, John

Conwell, Lisa WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Cryns, Janice Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Curran, Joan Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center

Danner, Dean Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Deich, Faye Sacred Heart Hospital

Dettman, Amy Bellin Memorial Hospital

Dietsche, James Bellin Memorial Hospital

Dooley, Richard Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Drengler, Kathryn Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Erickson, Robert Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Greene, Roxanne Our Lady of Victory Hospital

Grundstrom, David Flambeau Hospital

Gutekunst, Penny Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Hammel, Jennifer Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Harding, Edward Columbus Community Hospital

Hattem, Marita Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Hessert, Peter Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Hilt, Monica Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals

Huettl, Patty Sacred Heart Hospital

Huggins, Melissa Meriter Hospital

Huys, Geoffrey Ministry Health Care

Jablonski, James Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Jamieson, Donna Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Jenks, David Aurora Health Care

Jensen, Christopher Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Jensen, Russell St. Mary’s Hospital

Jentsch, Lisa Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Johnson, Charles St. Mary’s Hospital

Johnson, Roy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Jones, Tom St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

Kaufman, Bruce Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Keene, Kaaron Memorial Health Center

Kersten, Juliet Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Klauck, James Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Klunk, Timothy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Kolb, Marvin O. West Allis Memorial Hospital

Kostroski, Sharon Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Mantei, Mary Jo Bay Area Medical Center

Melzer-Lange, Marlene Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Mourey, Gerald Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Murphy, Michael Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Neet, Bradley Saint Michael’s Hospital

Neikirk, Jon Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Nelson, Nanine ProHealth Care

Nevers, Rick Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Nockerts, Steve The Richland Hospital

Oberholtzer, Curt Bay Area Medical Center

Olive, Willie Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Olkowski, Leland Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Ordinans, Karen Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Pandl, G. John Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Pandl, Therese Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus

Pedretti, Julie Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Peterson, Douglas Chippewa Valley Hospital and Oakview Care Center

Post, A Charles Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Potts, Dennis Aurora Health Care

Ross, Forrest WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Roth, Stephen Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Rounds, Thomas St. Mary’s Hospital

Rowe, Jeanne Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Rozenfeld, Jonathan St. Mary’s Hospital

Rudolph, Wade Sacred Heart Hospital

Sanicola, Suzanne Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus

Schmidt, Richard CGSchmidt

Schroeder, Larry Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital

Schulz, Janet ProHealth Care

Sczygelski, Sidney Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Sisney, Mary Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Sperka, Julie Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Staffileno, Gerri Columbia St. Mary’s Ozaukee Campus

Stewart, Jeff Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Stout, Johni WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Stuart, Philip Tomah Memorial Hospital

Tapper, Joy Milwaukee Health Care Partnership

Thiel, Mike Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Thometz, John Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Twinem, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

VanCourt, Bernie Bay Area Medical Center

Vogel, Martin Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Wade, Matthew ProHealth Care

Warmuth, Eric

Weisman, Steven Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Werner, Cinda Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Woodward, Jim Meriter Hospital

Worrick, Gerald Door County Memorial Hospital


Contributions Ranging from $500 - $999

Allison Stonebraker, Pat Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Anderson, Sandy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Barnett, Jane

Bloch, Jodi Wisconsin Hospital Association

Braddock, Michelle WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Brasseaux, Mary St. Nicholas Hospital

Buerstatte, Gary ProHealth Care

Byrne, Frank St. Mary’s Hospital

Decker, Michael Divine Savior Healthcare

Devermann, Robert Aurora Medical Center of Oshkosh

Duncan, Larry Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Dunigan, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Falvey, Patrick Aurora Health Care

Fehring, Chuck Ministry Health Care

Frank, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association

Guffey, Kerra Meriter Hospital

Gutzeit, Michael Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Heifetz, Michael SSM Health Care-Wisconsin

Herzog, Mark Holy Family Memorial Medical Center

Hymans, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Jones, Michael Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Kerwin, George Bellin Memorial Hospital

Korom, Nancy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Maxson-Cooper, Pamela Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

McGee, Fred Meriter Hospital

McNally, Maureen Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Merline, Karen

Miloszewicz, Angela Wisconsin Hospital Association

Minkus, Michelle SSM Health Care-Wisconsin

Mlynarek, Robert Waukesha Memorial Hospital

Neufelder, Daniel Affinity Health System

Niemer, Margaret Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Noll, Gerald Rogers Memorial Hospital

Norton, Andrew Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

O’Connell, Blaine Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Postler-Slattery, Diane Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Potter, Brian Wisconsin Hospital Association

Quinn, Connie

Radoszewski, Pat Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Reynolds, Sheila Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Richards, Theresa Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Robertstad, John Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital

Roeper, Randy Aurora Medical Center of Oshkosh

Ronstrom, Stephen Sacred Heart Hospital

Runge, Charles Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Russell, John Boscobel Area Health Care

Sachdeva, Ramesh Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Sale, Nora Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Schafer, Michael Spooner Health System

Schmidt, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Schoof, Susie Essie Kammer Consulting Group

Shabino, MD, Charles Wisconsin Hospital Association

Ship, Mark Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Teigen, Bobbe Aurora Medical Center - Manitowoc

Titus, Rexford ProHealth Care

Wallace, Michael Fort HealthCare

Welch, Kimberly Aurora Health Care

Wong, George Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin


Contributions Ranging from $1000 - $1999

Bazan, Bill Wisconsin Hospital Association

Birkenstock, Timothy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Boese, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association

Brenton, Mary E.

Britton, Gregory Beloit Memorial Hospital

Bruce, Bill St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

Buettner, Susan Aurora Health Care

Christensen, Cinthia Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Cutler, Dave WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Eddy, Lee Anne Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Eichman, Cynthia Our Lady of Victory Hospital

Ela, Susan Aurora Health Care

Erwin, Duane Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Gazzana, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Getto, Carl

Grasmick, Mary Kay Wisconsin Hospital Association

Kachelski, Joe WHA Information Center

Karuschak, Michael Amery Regional Medical Center

Koehler, Thomas Aurora BayCare Medical Center

Kosanovich, John Watertown Memorial Hospital

Kryda, MD, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Leitch, Laura Wisconsin Hospital Association

Martin, Jeff Ministry Health Care

Merline, Paul Wisconsin Hospital Association

Mettner, Michelle Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Mohorek, Ronald Ministry Health Care

Moulthroup, David Rogers Memorial Hospital

Munson, Kenneth Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Nestor, Donald Aurora Health Care

O’Brien, Mary Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center

Olson, David Bay Area Medical Center

Olson, Edward Waukesha Memorial Hospital

Richardson, Dana Wisconsin Hospital Association

Roller, Rachel Aurora Health Care

Size, Pat

Smith, Linda Aurora BayCare Medical Center

Stanford, Matthew Wisconsin Hospital Association

Starmann-Harrison, Mary SSM Health Care-Wisconsin

Tyre, Scott Capitol Navigators, Inc

Van Cleave, Bruce Aurora Health Care

Warmuth, Judith Wisconsin Hospital Association

Westrick, Paul Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus


Contributions Ranging from $2000 - $2999

Bjork, Tanya

Borgerding, Eric Wisconsin Hospital Association

Braddock, Jonathan WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Buser, Kenneth Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints

Fale, Robert Agnesian HealthCare

Katen-Bahensky, Donna

Petasnick, William Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Quinn, George Wisconsin Hospital Association

Rudolph, Colin Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Vice, Jon Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin


Contributions $3000 and up

Brenton, Stephen Wisconsin Hospital Association

Desien, Nicholas Ministry Health Care

Size, Tim Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative

Turkal, MD, Nick Aurora Health Care

Physician workforce issues, an electronic health record project and a statewide pressure ulcer initiative led the agenda of the WHA Medical and Professional Affairs Council’s August 21 meeting in Madison. The Council is chaired by Brad Manning, MD.

MetaStar project leaders Jenny Harrison and Judy Frisch presented a vision for an integrated pressure ulcer initiative in Wisconsin, reflective of work by the Wisconsin Pressure Ulcer Coalition. The coalition was formed in December 2007 and includes the Wisconsin Hospital Association, the Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance, Wisconsin Homes and Services for the Aging, Wisconsin Health Care Association, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, Wisconsin Assisted Living Association, MetaStar and representatives from nursing homes, home health, hospice and assisted living. The coalition is working to create an infrastructure to support a statewide pressure ulcer initiative with a mission to prevent pressure ulcers across the continuum of care. The statewide pressure ulcer initiative will allow up to 130 providers from various health care settings to participate in a collaborative-style improvement project that would begin in fall, 2008. The initiative would be modeled after the successful New Jersey Pressure Ulcer Collaborative and run parallel to the pressure ulcer improvement work that will be performed by MetaStar within their Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 9th Scope of Work.

The demand for physicians far exceeds supply. That issue has the full attention of the Wisconsin Council on Medical Education and Workforce (WCMEW). WCMEW has initiated a number of efforts aimed at attracting and keeping physicians in Wisconsin. WHA Senior Medical Advisor and WCMEW member Chuck Shabino said one of the principle objectives of WCMEW is to recruit physicians to Wisconsin. He said WCMEW’s focus to date has been to retain residents who are about to graduate from Wisconsin-based programs and attract physicians who have left the state but have an interest in returning to the state.

"While more than 70 percent of the students at the UW’s medical school are from Wisconsin, only about 35 percent stay and establish practice here. We know that is an area where we should concentrate our efforts and determine what we can do to increase that percentage," according to Shabino. "One of our initiatives has focused on creating a Web-based comprehensive job opportunity site in Wisconsin and then build awareness of it among our key stakeholders."

Shabino demonstrated a new Web site built for WCMEW by WHA. The Web site, scheduled to launch later this fall, allows physicians to search Wisconsin career opportunities posted directly by hospitals, physician clinics and academic medical centers.

Council members also learned about the recently-awarded CMS Electronic Health Record (EHR) Demonstration Project from Cindy Helstad, director of research Wisconsin medical society. The demonstration project was awarded to twelve sites, including Wisconsin, to foster the implementation and adoption of EHR in small physician practices. The Wisconsin EHR demonstration will include 200 small physician practices, defined as 20 or fewer practitioners, that will be eligible for two separate but interdependent pay for performance payments over a five year period of time. The first incentive payment will be based on the adoption and use of an electronic health record. The second incentive payment will be for the reporting and performance on 26 clinical quality measures related to the care of diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and preventive care services. The EHR Demonstration Project is co-supported by the Wisconsin Medical Society, MetaStar and the Wisconsin Collaborative for Health Care Quality.

• WHA this week released a statewide hospital and health system progress report on Health Information Technology (HIT) implementation. The findings again underscore the Wisconsin provider community’s national leadership in committing major resources to purchase and implement systems designed to improve clinical performance and ultimately realize meaningful cost efficiencies.

Although over-promised by some politicians as a "magic bullet" health care cost "reducer," HIT investments, especially Electronic Medical Records (EMR), are advancing the patient quality, safety and efficient care agendas. Virtually every state and national health reform initiative, regardless of political flavor, points to health care-related IT as an essential ingredient for improving clinical performance and efficiency. Wisconsin’s hospitals and physician groups are clearly well along this path, and that’s happened absent legislative and/or regulatory mandate. But it hasn’t happened without an enormous commitment of hundreds of millions of dollars in human and financial capital.

Moving away from the "paper culture" still found in many health care settings is an important and necessary step in reforming the delivery environment and accelerating process improvements. Wisconsin hospitals and clinics are making an enormous commitment of dollars and staff training necessary to accomplish this cultural change, and it’s an important story to share with our communities and with policymakers.

• Speaking of policymakers, the New Jersey Legislature this year mandated that hospitals provide substantially discounted care to uninsured patients with incomes below 500 percent of the national poverty level. Garden State hospitals are now prohibited from billing those patients more than 15 percent above what Medicare would otherwise pay for similar services. Although Medicare hospital payments are higher in New Jersey than they are in Wisconsin, that still means that New Jersey hospitals are statutorily required to discount care below actual costs (especially for outpatient services) for patients whom many of us would classify as "middle class"—patients who in some cases have personally rejected participating in employer-based insurance coverage.

Steve Brenton,
President

After numerous delays in implementing a general requirement for providers to include National Drug Codes (NDCs) on Medicaid claims, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced that the requirement will not apply to hospitals.

In its latest update on the regulation, scheduled to become effective in October, DHS made clear that providers who receive Medicaid reimbursement under a bundled rate are not subject to the new requirement. This includes all acute-care hospitals.

WHA and some member hospitals have been discussing the potential administrative burden of documenting and submitting individual NDC codes with DHS for nearly a year. Among the points raised by WHA was the irrelevance of individual line items on a hospital claim to the claim payment made by Medicaid.

The new claim requirement will apply to providers who are reimbursed on a per-service basis, such as physicians who bill for physician-administered drugs. The requirement will become effective with the implementation of DHS’ new ForwardHealth interChange claims system.

This week, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") released final instructions for the redesigned Form 990, Schedule H – Hospitals, designed specifically for tax-exempt hospitals, and 15 other related schedules. Included with the final instructions are three background papers outlining notable changes to the draft instructions for each part of the core form and schedules. In addition to the line-by-line instructions, the final instructions include a glossary of terms and various lists, tables, and examples to help organizations complete the Form 990. Copies of the final forms, instructions and worksheets for Schedule H can be found at www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=181089,00.html.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) reminded hospitals that, except for the section on "facilities," Schedule H is not required to be filed until a hospital makes its 2009 IRS filings sometime in 2010. AHA urged its members to use this extra time to review instructions and data collected for the schedule and to make any needed adjustments in programs and policies.

In order to help its members prepare for the new Form and schedules, WHA is offering a timely session at its upcoming seminar, "Hot Topics in Health Care." Attorney Linda Moroney, Drinker Biddle, chair of the Tax and Finance Practice Group for the American Health Lawyers Association, will address the latest developments regarding the retooled Form 990, including clarifications based on the new instructions. Moroney’s topics will include the governance and other policies hospitals should adopt in 2008 to be 990-compliant, tips for implementing an effective and accurate tracking system to report charity care and community benefit on Schedule H, practical suggestions for dealing with executive compensation disclosures on the 990, reporting for related entities and subsidiaries in multi-entity health care systems, and preparing for the discomfort of FIN 48 disclosures.

It has become clear that the business of running a hospital and actually providing excellent health care has never been so intense. From the new IRS Form 990 and Schedule H to the renewed focus on hospital board structures and responsibilities, hospital leadership is confronting a quickly changing and challenging landscape.

Join some of Wisconsin’s best and brightest health care attorneys to learn about and discuss the opportunities these challenges have created as well as today’s front-burner issues at the September 25 seminar, entitled "Hot Topics in Health Care." Specific topics will include on-call compensation and how it relates to EMTALA, the most recent employment law developments, a legislative update, board structure and responsibility, managing a compliance crisis, the new IRS Form 990 and Schedule H changes.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle visited Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff on Thursday, August 14, 2008 as part of his annual Northwoods summer tour. He held a round table discussion at the hospital that included members of the hospital leadership team and several community organizations.

The focus of the morning was to learn more about how Ministry Health Care and Howard Young Health Care were helping meet community needs and partnering with local organizations to address community health care concerns.

Community organizations representatives included the Lakeland Food Pantry, Ministry Home Care, Koller Behavioral Health, and Families First. Representatives from each organization shared success stories of their efforts in the community and how working together with the hospital has enhanced and sustained their programs.

Governor Doyle used the opportunity to introduce Karen Timberlake, Secretary of Health Services, and Reggie Bicha, Secretary of Children and Family Services. Both Timberlake and Bicha talked about what their agencies are doing to meet health care needs in the state.

Governor Doyle spoke of several state initiatives he has championed, including the launch of Badger Care Plus earlier this year. Using new online technology and working with groups across the state, over 70,000 children and families were enrolled in Badger Care Plus during the first eight weeks of the program. Earlier this year Doyle proposed expanding BadgerCare Plus to childless adults (awaiting a federal waiver) and will propose an additional expansion to small businesses.

Hospital President Sheila Clough outlined a number of initiatives that Howard Young Health Care is leading to help meet local health care needs. These include support of the state’s Badger Care Plus program and Ministry’s Community Care program, which offers assistance to individuals and families who lack insurance or other benefits. Last year Howard Young provided over $14 million in benefits to the community through all of its programs.

Wisconsin’s State Expert Panel on the Ethics of Disaster Preparedness has produced a series of six brochures to help health care organizations and their staff to have a greater awareness of the ethical issues that will arise during a disaster and also more realistic expectations of what to expect from the health care system in a disaster. This brochure series is included in this week’s packet. A one-page summary about the program along with a form to order additional copies is also included.

"This brochure series will become a tremendous resource and guide to health systems and hospitals throughout the state," explains WHA’s Bill Bazan. "Health care will be on the front line in case of a disaster. The work of the State Expert Panel will afford health care the opportunity to have significant dialogue within their organizations, enabling them to better and more effectively respond to the needs of and questions from the community."

The State Expert Panel is comprised of health care ethicists, lawyers, chaplains, public health officials, mission services, and physicians who have expertise in the area of ethics. They are representative of WHA membership throughout the state.

The State Expert Panel encourages discussion of the ethical responsibilities in each brochure among leaders and staff of health care organizations, leading to the achievement of the "Desired Outcomes" listed in each brochure. The State Expert Panel encourages your organization to report on any Desired Outcomes achieved by sending these Outcomes to dhsethics@dhs.wisconsin.gov. The Desired Outcomes will be aggregated and shared with all health care organizations.

The 2008 Wisconsin Quality & Safety Forum will be headlined by two of the most recognized names in quality and patient safety innovation—John Nance and Dr. David Nash. This year’s Forum is scheduled October 20-21 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, and will once again combine outstanding nationally-known speakers with a showcase of 30 local projects focused on current quality improvement and/or patient safety initiatives, submitted by 22 different organizations from around the state.

"The Wisconsin Quality and Safety Forum includes nationally-recognized speakers, a showcase of innovative improvement projects undertaken by Wisconsin health care providers, and multiple networking opportunities to create a valuable education experience right here in our state," said WHA Vice President of Quality Initiatives Dana Richardson. "The sponsoring partnerships further the spirit of collaboration toward improved health care quality in Wisconsin."

The Forum is once again offered by the Wisconsin Hospital Association, MetaStar, the Wisconsin Medical Society, the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality, and the Wisconsin Health Information Organization.

Health care quality managers, risk managers, clinical managers, physicians, nurses, CEOs, pharmacists, patient care services staff, quality improvement team members, and others are encouraged to attend.

The full conference brochure with registration information is currently available at www.wha.org, as well as online registration. Print copies of the Forum brochure will be included in next week’s Friday Packet.

The Wisconsin Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) is holding its fall program in La Crosse. The program theme is "Riding Out the Storm: Anticipating the Impact and Developing Financial Strategies During an Economic Slowdown in an Election Year." It will provide attendees with the information health care leaders need to not only plan for the future, but implement strategies and procedures to help your organization thrive in a tough economic environment.

On August 19, the IRS released the first major overhaul of its not-for-profit reporting rules in almost 30 years. Now is the time to recognize the proactive measures that tax-exempt health care organizations can take in completing Form 990 to comply with the new requirements. On Thursday, September 11, Keith Hearle, Verite Consulting, will conduct a three-hour workshop on the new reporting requirements associated with IRS Form 990, in particular Schedule H. Hearle worked on the IRS task force that developed the instructions.

The program will be kicked off by nationally-recognized independent health care policy analyst Emily Friedman, who will speak on The Domino Effect: The Economy, Politics and Health Care Financing. A flagging economy, high fuel and food prices, and continued inflation in health care that is well above the general rate make for a dangerous combination of influences. What will the effect be on public and private financing, insurance coverage, ability to pay, bad debt, and charity care—especially in an election year?

In addition, a panel discussion on Medicare Advantage Plans will be moderated by Rich Donkle of the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative and includes representatives from several Advantage Plans as well as an expert in obtaining the correct reimbursement under Advantage Plans.

To view the brochure, go to www.hfmawi.com/programs/fall2008brochure.pdf. The cost of the entire program is $225 for HFMA members and $275 for non-members. A single day rate is also available.

County fairs provide an excellent opportunity for the general public to learn and be entertained by petting and touching animals. In fact, few venues encourage the general public to touch animals as freely as a county fair. It is an exciting environment and a carnival atmosphere.

The downside is that infectious diseases can be spread though human to animal contact. The single best way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases is by washing your hands. The second best is the use of hand sanitizing products.

Last fall, The Richland Hospital, Inc. donated five hand sanitizing stations to be used at the Richland County Fair. These dispensers distribute instant hand sanitizer in areas where it is hard to find soap and water. They were placed around the fairgrounds where food was being served. Over 8,000 people attended the Richland County Fair in 2007, and we received many compliments regarding these stations.

Following the fair, the hand washing stations have been lent out to other events. Wheels of Time is a very large antique tractor show. Food is being served to hundreds of people. Center Color Fiesta is an outside event, celebrating the fall colors in our county. The hand washing stations were used at both events in 2007. Organizations now call to borrow the hand washing stations at many public events such as Wisconsin High School Rodeo Finals, Richland County Dairy Breakfast, tractor pulls, and other events.

Boscobel Area Health Care (BAHC) sponsored the first annual "Nutrition to Go Challenge" in November to encourage parents to share their tips for eating healthy on the run.

"Children lead very active lives, and parents seem to find themselves spending more and more time in the car or in the bleachers. It is very easy to swing through a drive through or grab some chips and a soda at the concession stand in lieu of a meal," said Mary Sprosty, Boscobel Area Health Care Community Relations Coordinator. "We wanted to help parents identify ways to find food that was fast and portable, but didn’t come with large fries and a soda."

"When a parent gets off work at 5:00 and has to be at a ballgame at 5:30, convenience often takes precedence over nutrition, at the expense of the child’s health. We wanted parents to be able to meet their schedule demands, and still eat well," said Sprosty.

"The participants were varied in their approach to making nutrition a priority. Some focused on how to speed up meal preparation, others controlled the food available to teens, and others named specific snacks they brought on trips," said Sprosty.

Winning entries were selected because they are easy to incorporate, inexpensive, and effective.

Theresa Reiter, mother of two Fennimore High School graduates, made meal preparation easier by planning for leftovers. "When I make chili, spaghetti, or soup, I make extra and put it in individual or family size microwavable containers and freeze it for quick meals." Reiter explained that preparing these convenience foods herself allowed her to control the fat and salt content, and was less expensive.

"I am a big believer in family meals," said Sprosty, who taught parenting classes for several years prior to coming to Boscobel. "It is difficult to find time to prepare meals at home, and expensive to eat healthy. Theresa’s tip addressed both of these concerns," said Sprosty.

Reiter also controls the food choices available in her kitchen. She always has pints of milk, individual 100% juices, and water available in the fridge and ready to go. "They drink more juice, milk, and water when it is just as handy as pop."

Kimberly Schildgen, parent of four Lancaster graduates, said "some of our best memories were at the kids’ sporting events." Schildgen planned ahead and packed a cooler for her young athletes. Portable snacks in her tote bag included string cheese, apples, bananas, yogurt, venison sticks, and homemade trail mix.

"All of these snacks can be purchased in advance or at any convenience store, and allows for more food choices than what you can find at a concession stand. Fruit and vegetables are very portable, and are high in water content," said Penny Grassel, BAHC Athletic Trainer.

Aaren Schultz, parent of two Boscobel graduates, focused on making healthy food as easy to grab as candy or chips. Schultz washes fruit and vegetables as soon as she gets home, so they are handy and ready to eat. "You can also package them so they are ready to go for trips," she said.

"Convenience is often a deciding factor in what foods you choose when you are busy. Having healthy food within reach and ready to eat will help teens choose those snacks over junk food," said Grassel.

Nutrition to Go tips developed by Boscobel Area Health Care’s dietician and athletic trainer, along with tips from parents submitted as part of the challenge, were shared with the public. Tips were posted on the Web site, printed in the local paper, displayed at booths at basketball games, and distributed at the "Taste of Homes" show.

The Christian community hosted a free clinic outreach at Faith Church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Several Holy Family Memorial (HFM) doctors and nurses volunteered along with a nurse practitioner and several RNs. One served as the medical coordinator and another as the clinic coordinator. Many others helped by donating time for other areas of service, such as meals, clothing, "advocate," which is walking through the day with a guest, etc. HFM also donated supplies of gloves, tongue depressors, otoscope speculums, and use of several office/medical supplies. HFM Wolfe Pharmacy donated many bottles of Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen to be given to those who came through the clinic.

The clinic touched approximately 190 guests who needed free care and was able to meet many different needs that day. This was a wonderful community event that blessed many and HFM helped to make that a possibility.

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