September 11, 2009
Volume 53, Issue 36
Wisconsin hospitals are investing in health information technology that will improve clinical care 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).
By the end of Fiscal Year 2008, 50 percent of Wisconsin hospitals were classified as "high" users of health information technology (HIT)—a 25 percent increase from 2007. The number of hospitals reporting moderate or low use of HIT fell as hospitals implemented multiple information technologies.
Nearly all Wisconsin hospitals have fully implemented key patient care systems including a lab information system (92 percent), computerized radiography (77 percent), a radiology information system (76 percent) and a pharmacy system (73 percent). In addition, 82 percent of hospitals support what is called a "master person index." The master person index is used to identify and keep track of patient records and is considered the cornerstone of many health information system integration projects.
The report, based on a survey of 125 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/qualityAndPatientSafety/pdf/HITreport_8-2009.pdf.)
"Hospitals invest in health information technology because it has the potential to save lives, reduce costs, and transform the way hospitals deliver care," according to Dana Richardson, WHA vice president, quality initiatives. For example, physicians can quickly 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 medical record as he or she receives information about the patient’s current illness is revolutionizing medicine," Richardson added. "Access to information improves decision-making and can reduce the number of diagnostic tests required."
In addition to electronic medical records, hospitals are implementing technology to improve or reduce the likelihood of a medical error. For example, 51 percent of hospitals have either fully or partially implemented a bedside medication verification system to ensure that the right medications are administered to the right patient.
Cost Cited as Major Barrier to HIT Implementation
Capital and operational costs are frequently cited as the largest barriers to HIT adoption. To better understand the investment made by Wisconsin hospitals, WHA collected 2008 cost information directly from hospitals. The median capital expenditure per bed in Wisconsin was $8,652, while the median expenditure per bed on operation costs was $21,221. Hospital size has had little influence on medical spending per bed with large hospitals spending only slightly more on HIT than small hospitals.
WHA President Steve Brenton said in spite of the heavy start-up and operating costs, Wisconsin hospitals are investing in health information technology.
"Wisconsin hospitals continue to transform the delivery of care and lead the nation in quality and safety. It is important for policy makers to recognize the magnitude of resources required to implement this technology and support data-driven incentive funding at both the state and federal level," Brenton said. "Training for front line care givers and assurance of a highly-skilled, technology savvy workforce in the future is essential."
Surgical Care Improvement Measures Now Available on CheckPointCheckPoint (www.wiCheckPoint.org), Wisconsin Hospital Association’s public reporting Web site, continues to broaden the information available to consumers, purchasers and hospitals with the addition of the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) measures. The new SCIP measures include:
The SCIP measures reflect evidence-based care practices that are known to reduce the risk of infection and blood clots after surgery. These measures are endorsed by the National Quality Forum and used by hospitals throughout the United States to monitor and improve care.
"The SCIP measures are a great addition to the other surgical infection prevention measures that are already reported on CheckPoint," said Dana Richardson, WHA vice president, quality initiatives. "Wisconsin hospitals continue to show their commitment to providing the best care possible and to make information about hospital care in Wisconsin available to the public."
Comments or questions about CheckPoint or the SCIP measures may be directed to Dana Richardson at drichardson@wha.org or 608-274-1820.
WHA Annual ConventionTop of page
Nominating Committee Announces Four New WHA Board Recommendations
The WHA Nominating Committee, chaired by Immediate Past Chairman Ken Buser, will present its report and recommendations to the membership at the Annual House of Delegates meeting on Thursday, September 24 in Lake Geneva. The following four health care leaders have been placed in nomination to serve their first three-year term on the Board:
Nicholas F. Desien is president and chief executive officer of Ministry Health Care. Desien joined Ministry Health Care in 1986 as the company’s first CFO. He progressed through the organization, being named executive vice president in 1996, president & COO in 1997 and CEO in 1998.
Desien has a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Towson State University and a master’s degree in health care administration from George Washington University. Desien is also a certified public accountant.
Peggy Ose is the vice president of patient services at Riverview Hospital Association in Wisconsin Rapids and has served in that capacity since 1992. Ose is currently president of the Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives (W-ONE) and has served on the
W-ONE Program, Professional Development and Nomination Committees. In 2008, she received the Fellow Award from the American Association of University Women. Ose is president of the Mid-State Technical College Board of Directors.
Ose has her bachelor’s degree in nursing from UW-Eau Claire and master’s degree from UW-Milwaukee. She is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Stephen F. Ronstrom is president, Wisconsin-Western Division, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) and administrator of Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire since 1998. Just prior to joining Sacred Heart, Ronstrom was president and CEO of Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. He also served Saint Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Louisiana as COO, and was executive vice president of Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Ronstrom earned an MHA from St. Louis University, is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served on local boards including the United Way, the Economic Coalition, Catholic Charities, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Bill Sexton is chief executive officer of Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. He recently returned to Wisconsin after eight years as the chief executive in Seaside, Oregon. Before that, he was the CEO at the hospital in Sparta for ten years.
Prior to his involvement in rural health care, Sexton spent more than 20 years in the Air Force Medical Service and is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is a past-president of the National Rural Health Association and has been an elected member of the National Rural Health Policy Board for the past 14 years. Sexton has served on the AHA Governing Council for Small or Rural Hospitals and the Rural Hospital Issues Group sponsored by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. He currently serves on the Technical Assistance and Services Center Advisory Committee under the sponsorship of the Health Resources and Services Administration.
President’s Column: Associated Press (AP) "FACT CHECK" Clears Some FogHealth care is the most politically charged, ideology driven domestic policy issue around. And it’s been that way for years. The "listening sessions" held during the summer Congressional recess provided venues for both constructive and cacophonous dialogue. All in all, it was a bad month for Democrats as proven by numerous polls. That’s why the President tried to re-boot health reform this week. But it’s unlikely that Obama’s well-delivered appeal changed many minds Wednesday night (September 9), and if an "olive branch" was offered up to health reform skeptics….it was more like an "olive twig."
Both sides are accusing the other of lies, distortions and embellishments that are being advanced for political advantage. There’s little question that that’s true—although one’s personal political perspective certainly colors individual judgment as to who is right or wrong. The truth is that most Americans, if they are actually paying attention, are CONFUSED.
An Associated Press FACT CHECK story about the Obama speech made for interesting reading Thursday morning. It’s not often you find a relatively unbiased interpretation when politics is in the mix... so here’s a quick summary of what AP researchers claim they found.
OBAMA: "I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficit either now or in the future."
FACT: AP staff point out that the White House and Congressional Democrats already have shown they’re ready to skirt the "no-new-deficits" pledge. The most expensive example is their stated position to not count the Medicare physician payment fix which will prevent future physician payment cuts. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says that "fix" will cost $245 billion over ten years and CBO’s ruling is the gold standard under Congressional Budget rules. But Democratic leaders say "never mind," we’re not going to count that.
OBAMA: "Nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have."
FACT: AP staff note that the statement is accurate but that the President had formerly said, "If you like your health care plan, you’ll be able to keep it, period." The not-so-subtle removal of this unconditional guarantee is the "direct result" of independent studies that predict significant employer movement to either the new public plan—or—dropping coverage altogether.
OBAMA: "The reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally."
FACT: AP staff say that the facts back up Obama, although they note that Republican skepticism about the potential that verification of actual citizenship documentation may be a missing link may be valid.
OBAMA: "I will protect Medicare."
FACT: AP staff point out that Medicare payments to providers and health plans are cut by more than $500 billion over ten years under initiatives supported by the President. They point out that the
25 percent of seniors who are currently covered by Medicare Advantage, slated for a massive cut, will "almost certainly see benefit cuts."
OBAMA: "Preventive care saves money and saves lives."
FACT: AP reporters say that while preventive care may save lives, "it most assuredly won’t save money" and note a recent CBO study.
OBAMA: "There are now more than 30 million American citizens who cannot get coverage."
FACT: AP staff note that President Obama and Democrats have "consistently talked about 46-47 million uninsured," a Census Bureau number that includes illegals, working adults who decline available workplace coverage and individuals categorically eligible for Medicaid but who are not in the program. They note that the new figure may represent an effort to lower expectations regarding coverage.
There are certainly other "red flags" that AP staff didn’t mention, including the "death panels" discussion that is an unfortunate and just plain wrong attempt to demonize an issue (end of life care) that must be an important component of the larger solution.
Perhaps only policy "wonks" really care about all of this maneuvering and rhetorical "gas bagging"—and its deployment for political advantage. But as we get nearer to the legislative "bewitching hour"—some of these facts and overstatements truly do matter.
Steve Brenton
President
The Wisconsin Hospitals State PAC and Conduit Fundraising Campaign has raised $139,786, or 66 percent of its $213,000 goal. Coming off a strong August, the Campaign raised $22,000 and increased the number of contributors by more than 150 over the course of a month. However, at this time last year, an election year when the Campaign generally starts stronger, the State PAC and Conduit had received $177,000 in contributions, or 84 percent of the Campaign’s goal. At this time in 2007, the last non-election year, the State PAC and Conduit had received $158,000 in contributions, or 81 percent of the Campaign’s goal.
The 2009 Campaign also aims to increase the number of individual contributors by 10 percent, increasing the total number of contributors to 660 people. To date, 401 individuals have contributed on average $346 to either the Wisconsin Hospitals State PAC or Conduit.
Individual contributors are listed below by name and affiliated organization. Contributors are listed alphabetically by contribution amount category. The next list will be published in the September 25 edition of The Valued Voice. For more information, contact Jodi Bloch at 608-217-9508 or Jenny Boese at 608-274-1820.
Contributions ranging from $1 - $249
Adams, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Albers, Kirstin Meriter Hospital
Albert, Matthew St. Mary’s Hospital
Ambs, Kathleen St. Mary’s Hospital
Anderson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Annala, Shannon Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Arendt, Kathleen Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Axelsen, Kathern Sacred Heart Hospital
Banaszynski, Gregory Aurora Health Care
Barkovich, Catherine Sacred Heart Hospital
Bauer, David Sacred Heart Hospital
Beckler, Rick Sacred Heart Hospital
Beglinger, Joan St. Mary’s Hospital
Bernklau, Robert Memorial Health Center
Bliven, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Block, Jennifer Sacred Heart Hospital
Bloom, Deborah Sacred Heart Hospital
Bosio, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Boson, Ann Ministry Health Care - Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Bowe, Cynthia Sacred Heart Hospital
Bowman, Andrew Sacred Heart Hospital
Bradley, Connie Columbia St. Mary’s Columbia Hospital
Braun, James Flambeau Hospital
Brenholt, Craig St. Mary’s Hospital
Brenholt, Mary St. Mary’s Hospital
Brennan, Karen St. Mary’s Hospital
Brisch, Joe Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Brown, John St. Mary’s Hospital
Brueggeman, Mary St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Bryans, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital
Burgener, Jean Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Burtch, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Buss, Diane St. Mary’s Hospital
Caldwell, James Fort HealthCare
Campbell-Kelz, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Carlson, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Casey, Karen Columbia Center
Caven, Michael Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Censky, Bill Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Chartier, Jacklyn Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Christensen, Leslie St. Mary’s Hospital
Coblentz, Kathy Jo St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Cohen, Joan Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Colby, Daniel Mercy Health System
Collins, Sherry Wisconsin Hospital Association
Cook, Craig Ministry Health Care - Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Cook, John Mercy Health System Corporation
Cox, Tamarah Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Culotta, Jennifer St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Dalebroux, Steve St. Mary’s Hospital
Danzinger, Marcia Sacred Heart Hospital
Davis, Kathleen Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Decker, Dawn Aspirus Wausau Hospital
DeMars, Nancy Sacred Heart Hospital
Derks, Darla Sacred Heart Hospital
Dettman, Amy Bellin Memorial Hospital
DeWitt, Pamela St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Diemer, Peggy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Dietsch, Teresa St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Dittrich, Peggy Memorial Health Center
Dorpat, Denice Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Draxler, Deborah Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Dryden, Shawn Sacred Heart Hospital
Duda, Carrie Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
Dwyer, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital
Dwyer, Maxine St. Mary’s Hospital
Ellis, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Erickson, Susan Meriter Hospital
Eskridge, Melissa Sacred Heart Hospital
Facey, Alice St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Fedorov, Emilie St. Mary’s Hospital
Feldhausen, Mary St. Vincent Hospital
Folstad, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Gahagan, Marsha St. Mary’s Hospital
Galfano, Victor Sacred Heart Hospital
Gantner, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Garavet, Scott Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Garcia, Dawn Sacred Heart Hospital
Garvey, Gale St. Mary’s Hospital
Gengler, Tim Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Giedd, Janice St. Joseph’s Hospital
Gjolberg, Skip St. Joseph’s Hospital
Goelzer, Mark Mercy Health System Corporation
Goffinet, Jo St. Mary’s Hospital
Grohskopf, Kevin St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Gulan, Maria Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Gullicksrud, Lynn Sacred Heart Hospital
Haggerty, Peggy Columbus Community Hospital
Halberg, Carole St. Mary’s Hospital
Halberslaben, Holly St. Mary’s Hospital
Harter, Ellen Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Hassemer, Robert Sacred Heart Hospital
Hedrington, Brian Sacred Heart Hospital
Herbert, William Meriter Hospital
Hieb, Laura Bellin Memorial Hospital
Hinton, George Aurora Sinai Medical Center
Hinz, Russ Aurora Health Care
Hoege, Beverly Reedsburg Area Medical Center
Holmes, Kristine Meriter Hospital
Holmes, Sheri Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Hueller, Julie Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Huemmer, Paul St. Mary’s Hospital
Jelle, Laura St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Johnson, Kimberly Sacred Heart Hospital
Jones, Mary Meriter Hospital
Jones, Tom St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
Kaiser, Ann Sacred Heart Hospital
Karow, Deborah Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Kempen, Jacob Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Klay, Lois St. Joseph’s Hospital
Krueger, Pamela Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Kuehni-Flanagan, Tracy Sacred Heart Hospital
Kurtz, David Mercy Health System Corporation
Lachecki, Therese Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Lang, Susan Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Larson, Piper Sacred Heart Hospital
Leonard, Mary Kay St. Mary’s Hospital
Lerch, Shawn Columbus Community Hospital
Lien, Kristine Sacred Heart Hospital
Logemann, Tim Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Lopas, Mary Door County Memorial Hospital
Lorenz, Bruce Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Lucas, Roger Aspirus Wausau Hospital
LuCore, Patricia Sacred Heart Hospital
Lunde, Pam Columbus Community Hospital
Mackey, Theresa Sacred Heart Hospital
Maloney, Evelyn St. Joseph’s Hospital
Marcouiller, Don Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Markgraf, Janelle K. Langlade Hospital - An Aspirus Partner
Marquardt, Amy Columbia St. Mary’s Columbia Hospital
Marsch, Jean St. Vincent Hospital
Mason, Paul Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
McKay, Jean Sacred Heart Hospital
McKenzie, Paula St. Mary’s Hospital
Meicher, John St. Mary’s Hospital
Merwald, Alfred Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Mickelson, Ronald St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Miloszewicz, Angela Wisconsin Hospital Association
Mohr, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Moss, Kenneth Meriter Hospital
Mourey, Gerald Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Mueller, Bonita St. Mary’s Hospital
Mulder, Doris Beloit Memorial Hospital
Ness, Nita Sacred Heart Hospital
Nohelty, Peter Sacred Heart Hospital
Ohrmundt, Joel Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Oland, Charisee Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin
Olson, Keri St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Onsager, Sandra St. Mary’s Hospital
Ose, Peggy Riverview Hospital Association
Osen, John Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Padilla, Gilbert Sacred Heart Hospital
Palecek, Steve Sacred Heart Hospital
Peck, Lori Memorial Health Center
Peickert, Barbara Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Peiffer, Susan Sacred Heart Hospital
Pengra, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital
Peters, Kenneth Bellin Memorial Hospital
Peterson, Brenda Sacred Heart Hospital
Peterson, Lawrence St. Mary’s Hospital
Pielhop, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital
Pinske, Heather St. Mary’s Hospital
Piper, Barbara Sacred Heart Hospital
Pittenger, Jeannie Sacred Heart Hospital
Plaisance, Christopher Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Powell, Stacey Sacred Heart Hospital
Preston, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital
Probst, Paula Sacred Heart Hospital
Proehl, Sheila Hudson Hospital
Prunty, Brian Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Quade, Steve Door County Memorial Hospital
Rasmussen, Sheri WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Reding, Rick Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Richbourg, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital
Rocole, Theresa Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
Rosenberger, Herb ProHealth Care
Rounds, Thomas St. Mary’s Hospital
Roundy, Ann Columbus Community Hospital
Rubenzer, Deanne St. Joseph’s Hospital
Rudolph, Wade Sacred Heart Hospital
Schade, Randy Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Schneck, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital
Schraufnagel, Patricia Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Schweitzer, Susan Columbus Community 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
Smith, Julie Sacred Heart Hospital
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
Stelzer, Jason St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Stone, Stacy Sacred Heart Hospital
Storing, Sandy Sacred Heart Hospital
Stranberg, Kevin Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Sullivan, Anne Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Swanson, Becky Sacred Heart Hospital
Swanson, Kerry SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Tandberg, Christine Sacred Heart Hospital
Todd, Jeffrey Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Tryba, Jennifer Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Tuttle, Kathryn Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
VanDeVoort, John Sacred Heart Hospital
Verploegh, Alan Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Voelker, Thomas Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Vogler, Linda Sacred Heart Hospital
Voigt, Yolanda Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Walker, Troy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Walton, Michelle WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Wanserski, James Aspirus Wausau Hospital
White, Bridget St. Mary’s Hospital
Whiteaker, Les Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Wilson, Deanna Upland Hills Health
Winckler, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital
Wojciechowski, Gary Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Worthing, Kelli Sacred Heart Hospital
Wrobel, Roberta Sacred Heart Hospital
Wynimko, Susan St. Joseph’s Hospital
Zeller, Brad Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Zemaitis, Tom Sacred Heart Hospital
Contributions ranging from $250 - $499
Abitz, John WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Abrams, K. Scott Beaver Dam Community Hospitals
Allison Stonebraker, Pat Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Andersen, Travis St. Elizabeth Hospital
Ayers, Mandy Wisconsin Hospital Association
Baker, Chris St. Mary’s Hospital
Biros, Marilyn SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Boudreau, Jenny Wisconsin Hospital Association
Calhoun, William Affinity Health System
Carlson, Dan Bay Area Medical Center
Clapp, Nicole Grant Regional Health Center
Clough, Sheila Howard Young Medical Center
Coffman, Joan St. Joseph’s Hospital
Conwell, Lisa WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Curran, Joan Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Danner, Forrest Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Deich, Faye Sacred Heart Hospital
Dietrich, Dean Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Drengler, Kathryn Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Erickson, Robert Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Erickson, William Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Furlong, Marian Hudson Hospital
Geiss, Peter ProHealth Care
Gruber, Richard Mercy Health System
Grundstrom, David Flambeau Hospital
Guffey, Kerra Meriter Hospital
Gutsch, Mike Southwest Health Center
Hattem, Marita Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Hessert, Peter Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Hilt, Monica Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Hofer, John Bay Area Medical Center
Huettl, Patty Sacred Heart Hospital
Huggins, Melissa Meriter Hospital
Jensen, Russell St. Mary’s Hospital
Johnson, Charles SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Keene, Kaaron Memorial Health Center
Kehrberg, MD, Mark Affinity Health System
Kostroski, Sharon Ministry Health Care - Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Koutouzos, Connie Bay Area Medical Center
Krause, Carolyn Meriter Hospital
Mantei, Mary Jo Bay Area Medical Center
Marciano, Karol Columbia St. Mary’s Milwaukee Hospital
May, Carol Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital
McCoic, Kristie St. Joseph’s Community Health Services
McKevett, Timothy Beloit Memorial Hospital
Merline, Karen
Miller, Kimberly Beaver Dam Community Hospitals
Nelson, James Fort HealthCare
Nevers, Rick Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Nick, Mary Meriter Hospital
Oberholtzer, Curt Bay Area Medical Center
Olkowski, Leland Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Olson, Gregory Memorial Health Center
Penczykowski, James St. Mary’s Hospital
Pinekenstein, Barbara ProHealth Care - Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
Pollard, Dennis Community Memorial Hospital
Roberts, Phillip Columbus Community Hospital
Ross, Forrest WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Rowe, Jeanne Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Rozenfeld, Jonathan St. Mary’s Hospital
Russell, John Boscobel Area Health Care
Sanicola, Suzanne Columbia St. Mary’s Columbia Hospital
Schneider, David Langlade Hospital - An Aspirus Partner
Schroeder, Larry Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital
Schulz, Janet ProHealth Care
Sczygelski, Sidney Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Shapiro, David Columbia St. Mary’s Columbia Hospital
Spieckerman, Jill Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals
Staffileno, Gerri Columbia St. Mary’s Ozaukee Hospital
Stout, Johni WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Stuart, Philip Tomah Memorial Hospital
Swiderski, Julie Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee
Taplin Statz, Linda SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Tarantino, Jennifer Aurora Health Care
Van Meeteren, Bob Reedsburg Area Medical Center
VanCourt, Bernie Bay Area Medical Center
Voss, Mark Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Worrick, Gerald Door County Memorial Hospital
Yunk, Dennis Agnesian HealthCare
Contributions ranging from $500 - $999
Anderson, Sandy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services
Bayer, Tom St. Vincent Hospital
Bea, Javon Mercy Health System Corporation
Borgerding, Dana
Braddock, Michelle WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Buerstatte, Gary ProHealth Care
Bukowski, Cathy Ministry Health Care - Our Lady of Victory Hospital
Butler, John St. Mary’s Hospital
Callies, Julie WHA Information Center
Canter, Richard Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Desien, Nicholas Ministry Health Care
Dietsche, James Bellin Memorial Hospital
Eddy, Lee Anne Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Frank, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association
Geboy, Scott Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman
Gutzeit, Michael Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Harding, Edward Columbus Community Hospital
Heifetz, Michael SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Huber, Mark Aurora Health Care
Hymans, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland
Kersten, Juliet Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Kerwin, George Bellin Memorial Hospital
Klawiter, Anne Southwest Health Center
Klimisch, Ronald Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Korom, Nancy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Levin, Jeremy Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
Lockhart, MD, Jack Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Merline, Paul Wisconsin Hospital Association
Miller, Jim Children’s Hospital and Health System
Mlynarek, Robert Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Neufelder, Daniel Affinity Health System
Petonic, Mary Frances Meriter Hospital
Postler-Slattery, Diane Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Potter, Brian Wisconsin Hospital Association
Radoszewski, Pat Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Richards, Theresa Ministry Health Care - Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Ronstrom, Stephen Sacred Heart Hospital
Sachdeva, Ramesh Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Schafer, Michael Spooner Health System
Shabino, Charles Wisconsin Hospital Association
Ship, Mark Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Siebecker, William Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Stine, Stephen Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Wallace, Michael Fort HealthCare
Wolf, Edward Lakeview Medical Center
Woodward, Jim Meriter Hospital
Contributions ranging from $1,000 - $1,999
Bazan, Bill Wisconsin Hospital Association
Birkenstock, Timothy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Bloch, Jodi Wisconsin Hospital Association
Boese, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association
Braddock, Jonathan WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.
Brideau, Leo Columbia St. Mary’s Columbia Hospital
Britton, Gregory Beloit Memorial Hospital
Byrne, Frank St. Mary’s Hospital
Chapin, Rocklon St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic Health System
Christensen, Cinthia Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Duncan, Larry Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Dunigan, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Eichman, Cynthia Ministry Health Care - Our Lady of Victory Hospital
Erwin, Duane Aspirus Wausau Hospital
Fale, Robert Agnesian HealthCare
Fish, David St. Joseph’s Hospital
Gazzana, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Grasmick, Mary Kay Wisconsin Hospital Association
Kachelski, Joe WHA Information Center
Karuschak, Michael Amery Regional Medical Center
Kosanovich, John UW Health Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center
Kryda, Michael Ministry Health Care - Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Leitch, Laura Wisconsin Hospital Association
Loftus, Philip Aurora Health Care
Mettner, Michelle Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Morgan, Dwight Aurora Health Care
Munson, Kenneth Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Niemer, Margaret Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
O’Brien, Mary Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
Oldham, Keith Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Olson, David Bay Area Medical Center
Olson, Edward ProHealthCare - Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Pandl, Therese St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center
Reynolds, Sheila Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Richardson, Dana Wisconsin Hospital Association
Robertstad, John ProHealth Care - Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
Roller, Rachel Aurora Health Care
Sanders, Robert Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Stanford, Matthew Wisconsin Hospital Association
Titus, Rexford ProHealth Care
Troy, Peggy Children’s Hospital and Health System
Turkal, Nick Aurora Health Care
Warmuth, Judith Wisconsin Hospital Association
Welch, Kimberly Aurora Health Care
Westrick, Paul Columbia St. Mary’s Milwaukee Hospital
Contributions ranging from $2,000 - $2,999
Brenton, Mary E.
Buser, Kenneth Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
Katen-Bahensky, Donna
Oliverio, John Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Quinn, George Wisconsin Hospital Association
Starmann-Harrison, Mary SSM Health Care-Wisconsin
Tyre, Scott Capitol Navigators, Inc
Contributions $3,000 and up
Borgerding, Eric Wisconsin Hospital Association
Brenton, Stephen Wisconsin Hospital Association
Size, Tim Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
Assembly Education Committee Passes Employee Leave BillThis week the Assembly Education Committee passed Assembly Bill (AB) 116, relating to school conference and activities leave on a narrow 7-6 vote. The bill allows any employee of an employer employing at least 50 individuals on a permanent basis, including the state, to take up to 16 hours of school conference and activities leave in a 12-month period.
During deliberations, committee members, including Representatives Brett Davis (R-Monroe) and Steve Nass (R-Whitewater), expressed concerns about the negative fiscal impact the bill would have on both state and local public and private sector employers, indicating statewide costs for compliance would be significant.
Prior to the vote, WHA staff discussed several concerns about the bill with committee members. The concerns focused on the difficulties hospitals would have maintaining safe patient staffing levels should the bill become law.
In particular, WHA Vice President for Workforce Development Judy Warmuth said that while hospitals value parents’ communication with schools, they already offer employees the opportunity to request time off for these types of events. The request must be done well in advance of the day so hospitals can make sure adequate staffing is maintained.
Warmuth also said hospital employees often have a flexible bank of hours they may use for this or other uses. The flexible bank of hours allows employees that do not have children to have access to the same benefit, but use it in a different way.
WHA continues to discuss our concerns with this proposal with legislators. The text of AB 116 can be found at www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/AB-116.pdf. Contact Judy Warmuth (jwarmuth@wha.org) or Paul Merline (pmerline@wha.org) with any questions, comments or suggestions.
Grassroots Spotlight: Returning the Favor: Rep. Nelson "Shadows" St. Elizabeth CEO Travis AndersenSeveral months ago St. Elizabeth Hospital (Appleton) CEO Travis Andersen traveled to Madison to spend a day in the State Capitol shadowing State Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Nelson (D-Kaukauna). This was an opportunity for a hospital administrator to experience a day in the life of a legislator. This past week Andersen returned the favor and hosted Rep. Nelson at St. Elizabeth’s so he could experience a day in the life of a hospital administrator.
"This was a great opportunity to reciprocate the shadowing day that Thomas provided for me at the state capital," said Andersen. "I think he has an appreciation for the pressures that hospital leaders across the state face every day."
During the time at the hospital, Rep. Nelson sat in on the heart and vascular governance council. The council is a group of cardiologists, radiologists, vascular surgeons, and staff that work together to manage this disease. The council oversees program development, quality measures and cost management. Nelson then joined a "bed meeting," which was an opportunity for him to see how much of an art and science it is to staff an inpatient facility. He then attended the case management meeting and was able to get a better appreciation for all of the issues that families and individuals face when illness happens (transportation, support at home, insurance verifications/authorizations).
Rep. Nelson was also able to join the hospital’s management team meeting and heard reports on core measures performance, patient satisfaction and more. Over lunch Nelson met with a small group of physicians and discussed a host of issues, such as the patient compensation fund, health care reform and the public option. Hospital leaders also discussed other issues throughout the day with Rep. Nelson, including projected physician shortages, workforce and staffing issues.
If you’ve hosted your legislators, let HEAT know by contacting Jenny Boese at
jboese@wha.org or 608-268-1816.
WHA this year is again working with RC Healthcare on its wage index improvement project. This is a major WHA commitment aimed at helping hospitals accurately report data in their cost reports, which are used to calculate the hospital wage index, a key component of Medicare payment for PPS hospitals. WHA has been partnering with RC Healthcare for the past several years and has achieved excellent results.
The results of on-site and remote wage index reviews performed by RC Healthcare on data used in determining the 2010 wage index will benefit Wisconsin hospitals by several million dollars.
Among RC Healthcare’s findings—outlined below—are revisions to initial filings consistent with what they have been reviewing in the WHA annual wage index seminars:
With WHA staff oversight, RC Healthcare also helps hospitals prepare the occupational mix survey, which is another adjustment factor used to modify Medicare PPS rates. Through several rounds of occupational mix survey submissions, RC Healthcare shared experiences among hospitals interpreting the survey and worked to increase hospitals’ average hourly wages through recommending the reclassification of Nurse’s Aides from "All Other" for appropriate categories. Similarly, they reviewed hospitals’ detailed survey documentation to identify RNs that could be classified to "All Other" based upon the survey instructions to report only RNs in specific cost centers.
WHA will offer a wage index education session October 6 at 10 a.m. Members can attend in person or call in to participate. RC Healthcare is spending much more time doing hospital visits and making individual phone calls to facilities working on wage index reporting issues. Therefore, the education session will be more directed toward those who have not participated in the education sessions before, or would like a refresher on the S-3 worksheet and how it impacts the wage index. More information was sent to PPS hospital CFOs this week.
If you have questions about WHA’s Wage Index Improvement Project, contact Brian Potter at WHA, bpotter@wha.org or 608-274-1820.
Wisconsin Quality & Safety Forum: Take Advantage of Early Bird DiscountRegister today for the 2009 Wisconsin Quality & Safety Forum and take advantage of the early bird discount, available through September 26. This year’s Forum is scheduled October 19-20 at the Glacier Canyon Lodge in Wisconsin Dells, and a discounted hotel rate is available until October 1.
The Wisconsin Quality & Safety Forum is the premier statewide education event focused on health care quality and safety. This event features a mix of nationally- known and respected experts on health care quality and patient safety and best practices of proven and adaptable initiatives from Wisconsin health care providers. Take advantage of this great in-state opportunity without the high travel and registration fees associated with other health care quality/patient safety conferences.
A full Forum brochure with registration and early bird discount information is included in this week’s packet. Online registration is also available at www.wha.org. For more information on registration, contact Lisa Littel at llittel@wha.org or 608-274-1820.
WHA Financial Solutions: Quality Benefits Education Boosts MoraleA recent study commissioned by Unum and conducted by Harris Interactive shows a clear connection between how well employees understand their benefits and how engaged and motivated they are at work.
The survey of more than 1,100 employed adults reveals that employees who receive quality benefits education are more likely to feel valued by their employer, have a positive perception of their company, and say they are more likely to stay with their employer even if they were offered the same pay and benefits elsewhere.
In the survey, five key measures of workplace satisfaction were significantly higher when employees had a quality benefits education. But the research also reveals plenty of room for improvement—one in four (25 percent) employees who were asked to review benefits in the past year said their benefits education was only fair or poor.
The research also offers some clear evidence of what makes an effective benefits education plan. The key is offering enough time to review benefits choices and information, as well as a variety of communication methods.
Employees who had more than three weeks to review benefits education materials were far more likely to say they had enough time to make informed decisions. And using at least three different forms of communication (such as meetings, printed materials, and Web site tools) ensures the materials will reach employees with various learning styles.
The research shows that even if employees don’t have a particularly good benefits package, a quality benefits education experience makes them dramatically more likely to consider their employer a very good place to work. And when it comes to the benefits options employees are offered, research also reveals that making voluntary benefits part of the picture is another way to increase employee satisfaction with their benefits.
For more information on benefits education and voluntary benefits, contact a member of WHA Financial Solutions employee benefits team at
whafs@wha.org.Top of page
Community Benefits: Beaver Dam Community Hospital, Beaver Dam
It’s Safety First in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam area residents learned how to avoid injuries, earned CPR certification, received free blood pressure screenings, and gained much valuable safety knowledge at the second annual Safety First Open House held by Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, Inc. (BDCH) in May of 2009. Several hundred adults and children attended this free event organized and hosted by the hospital.
The hospital donated many hours of employee time and much funding in planning, organizing, publicizing and implementing this community event and gave away hundreds of dollars worth of safety equipment such as smoke detectors, bike helmets, first aid kits and booster seats.
Hospital employees taught CPR and certified 56 community members in basic CPR skills. Hospital dietitians shared information on food safety, a hospital occupational therapist spoke with senior citizens on avoiding injuries in the home, and hospital home care staff gave free blood pressure screenings and recommendations for follow-up care.
In addition, BDCH community relations staff spent weeks planning and coordinating the Safety First Open House as a cooperative effort which would bring together the resources of many community health and safety organizations, such as Dodge County EMS, firefighters, police and sheriff’s departments, and MedFlight. At the event’s "drug drop-off" station overseen by the Dodge County sheriff’s department, over 46 pounds of non-controlled and controlled unused medications were collected for safe disposal.
Parents had their young children fingerprinted for identification, and over 150 children received child ID cards. People Against a Violent Environment provided information on their services for victims of violence in the home. In addition, families learned how to choose and use a safe car seat through an activity staffed by the Public Health Department.
Because of the commitment of Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, Inc. to reducing injuries in our community, this annual event continues to grow and help our community members live safer lives.
Community Benefits: Aurora Memorial Hospital of BurlingtonEvery year, as part of the Waterford Chamber of Commerce Family Fest event, the health care professionals from Aurora Health Center in Waterford open their doors to the community to host a Family Health Expo.
This free event is jam-packed with health information and activities for every member of the family. Glucose and blood pressure screenings are offered, along with cholesterol and bone-density screenings, body fat analyses and biofeedback for women.
Displays cover a variety of topics including osteoporosis, breast health, urgent care, healthy nutrition, asthma, allergies, sun safety, and preventive health and wellness.
Finger-painting and other children’s activities are provided to entertain youngsters while adults get one-on-one time to ask questions and get answers from health care professionals from Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington. The experts include breast care coordinators, Aurora pharmacists, pastoral care providers and representatives of Aurora Wellness Center. Experts are also on hand to provide answers and guidance to individuals wanting to learn more about advance care planning and completing advance directives, documents that help to reduce the end-of-life care costs by making clear the patient’s desires for medical care at that stage of their life.
Community Benefits: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints, RacinePatients who suffer cardiac arrest in Racine County now have a better chance of survival thanks to a program started by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints. With funding from the All Saints Foundation, the All Saints Emergency Department provided local paramedics with the necessary equipment and training to begin a key life-saving treatment in the field, rather than waiting until the patient reaches the hospital.
Until this year, therapeutic hypothermia, which has been shown to halt brain injury in patients who have been resuscitated from cardiac arrest, was only available in some emergency rooms Southeast Wisconsin. But thanks to a $10,000 grant provided by the foundation, the hospital was able to provide the Racine Area EMS Group with powered coolers that will store ice packs and cold IV bags that paramedics can use to cool the body quickly.
"Studies have shown that you can halt some brain injury by inducing mild therapeutic hypothermia for 12 to 24 hours. Patients do much better and survive with intact neurological function," says Dr. Rommel Bote, who developed the protocol and spent hours training paramedics in the area on the procedure.
The Racine Area EMS Group consists of the Racine Fire Department, South Shore Consolidated Fire and EMS, Caledonia Fire Department, Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department and Raymond Fire Department.
"If it saves even one life, the cost was well worth it," said Christopher Krizek, executive director of the Foundation, which provided the money.
Submit hospital community benefit stories to Mary Kay Grasmick, editor, at mgrasmick@wha.org.