March 15, 2004

MHA NewsWeekly Electronic Edition
March 15, 2004
Vol. 22, NO. 10

Quote of the Week
"Pride is tasteless, colorless and sizeless. Yet, it is the hardest thing to swallow."
~ August B. Black

In this week's edition...
1. MHA Releases Results of Economic Impact Study of Mississippi Hospitals
2. U.S. Chamber Ranks Mississippi Low on Tort Reform
3. Clinical Coding Workshop
4. FDA outlines plan to confront nation's obesity problem
5. Medical Response to Nuclear & Radiological Terrorism Webcast Materials Available on CDC Site
6. Obesity Fight Now Personal for HHS Chief - Thompson Puts Himself, Department on a Diet
7. Study examinses factors driving hospital patient safety initiatives 
8. Positions Available
9. People in the News
10. News Around the State
11.  MHA Education Calendar

1. MHA Releases Results of Economic Impact Study of Mississippi Hospitals 
 Across Mississippi, hospitals and health systems provide access to vital health care services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, serving millions of households each year. Less often recognized are hospitals’ contributions to the state’s economy, including the number of people hospitals employ, the impact of hospital purchases and the impact of hospital employees’ spending and tax payments.
 Mississippi’s hospitals annually contribute more than $10 billion to the state’s economy. Regional data and other findings are in The Business of Caring: The Economic Impact of Mississippi's Hospitals on the State's Economy. The report was researched and written by Dr. Gerald A. Doeksen, Regents Professor and Extension Economist at Oklahoma State University, on behalf of the Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA).
 “As Mississippi leaders continue to consider the state’s economic priorities and look for ways to create more jobs in our state, they should keep in mind the importance of hospitals and health care to the state economy,” said Sam W. Cameron, MHA President/CEO. “This study shows that health care is much more to Mississippi than hospitals, clinics and doctors. The ripple effect of the health care sector throughout Mississippi's economy is enormous. Hospitals are not only tied to the health of our communities, but also to the health of our economy.”
 Using a computer program developed specifically for the health care industry, the research found that hospitals alone have:
• $10.1 billion total impact on the state economy.
•  Operating expenses of $4.7 billion per year
• Capital expenditures of $664 million per year (over $5.7 million per hospital)
• $4 billion in total earnings and $2.1 billion in retail sales
• 59,872 full time job equivalent employees
• Payroll of $2.3 billion per year (over $20 million per hospital)
• Average hospital employee salary of $39,676 (compared to a Mississippi average of $27,182)
 In addition to looking at the statewide impact of hospitals, the study breaks down much of the data by regions of the state as well. A copy of The Business of Caring, along with a summary brochure of the findings and Dr. Doeksen's Executive Summary, is available online at www.mhanet.org under What’s New or upon request by contacting Shawn Lea at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3237 or slea@mhanet.org.
 Brochures will be provided to hospitals upon request in lots of 25. The brochures can be shared with your local community, distributed in hospital waiting areas and shared with Chambers of Commerce and other economic development agencies. To have brochures sent to your hospital, contact Shawn Lea.
 Hospitals can also order county-specific economic impact reports for $500. For more information or to order, contact Belinda Boozer at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3209 or bboozer@mhanet.org.

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2. U.S. Chamber Ranks Mississippi Low on Tort Reform
 The United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform last week released its 2004 ILR/Harris Interactive State Liability Systems Ranking Study, which ranks America’s worst business/legal climates. For the third year in a row, Mississippi’s judicial system rated last nationwide in terms of its fairness towards small and large businesspeople.
 At the same time, the National Law Journal’s annual survey showed there was not a single jury verdict in Mississippi in 2003 in the top 100. Legal experts attribute the decline to jurors more critically examining claims and an anti-lawsuit climate.
 Steve Browning, executive director of Mississippians for Economic Progress, said lawsuit abuse has not been eliminated. “Only comprehensive tort reform can end lawsuit abuse,” Browning said.
 The U.S. Chamber said it is launching a national advertising campaign highlighting the results the Institute for Legal Reform’s survey of more than 1,400 senior attorneys of public corporations and insurance companies.
 Thomas Donohue, the chamber president and CEO, said the survey listed Mississippi, West Virginia and Alabama with the lowest-rated legal systems in the country.
 “Businesses go where they are wanted and they bring jobs and economic growth to the state with the best legal systems,”Donohue said. “Mississippi is the worst offender - that is why we need to pass the comprehensive legal reform legislation already approved by the Mississippi Senate.”
 Alabama topped the list in 2003 as the state with the largest jury verdict, an $11.8 billion verdict against Exxon Mobil. Florida was at the bottom, with an $18 million award. The State Liability Systems Ranking Study is available online at  www.legalreformnow.com.

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3. Clinical Coding Workshop 
 The Mississippi Hospital Association is hosting an ICD-9-CM Clinical Coding Workshop on April 27 at the Atrium Conference Center in Jackson. The course is designed for staff that code inpatient acute care records with DRG assignments.
 The workshop was designed for RNs, case managers, medical records directors, coders, quality and compliance personnel and all others responsible for coding inpatient acute care records and developing hospital-specific coding guidelines. The focus will be on AHA Coding Clinic Guidelines and ICD-9-CM coding principles. Participants will be able to identify proper codes, coding guidelines and OIG concepts, documentation issues and specific keys to developing coding guidelines for your hospital. Participants need to bring an ICD-9-CM coding manual to class.
 Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and the class will begin at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided and the  workshop will adjourn at 3:30 p.m. The cost is $110 per person. Registration is limited to 60 people.
 The instructor will be Jean Ann Hartzell, RHIA, CPC, a health care professional with over 27 years of experience with coding and compliance issues. She has provided more than 3,000 workshops nationwide for hospital associations and consulting firms. MHA will award five hours of continuing education credit for this workshop.
 For more information or to have a registration form sent to you, contact Gay Salter at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3233 or gsalter@mhanet.org. You may also register online at www.mhanet.org.

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4. FDA outlines plan to confront nation's obesity problem
   A Food and Drug Administration panel recently released new recommendations for combating the nation's "epidemic of obesity" that focus on the message "calories count." The Obesity Working Group, established by FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan last August, proposes changing food labels to more prominently display calories, encouraging restaurants to provide calorie and nutrition information, and educating consumers about how to maintain a healthy diet and weight. It also recommends increasing enforcement to ensure food labels accurately portray serving size, and supporting research to reduce obesity and develop foods that are healthier and low in calories. Poor diet and inactivity are poised to become the leading preventable cause of death among Americans, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 64% of Americans are overweight, including more than 30% who are considered obese, CDC estimates. The report can be found here.

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  5. Medical Response to Nuclear & Radiological Terrorism Webcast Materials Available on CDC Site
   Slides and text from the February 10 webcast Medical Response to Nuclear & Radiological Terrorism are now available through the CDC Bioterrorism web site. The education program describes types of radiation, exposure risks, and response to exposure to nuclear and radiological materials. It can be accessed  here. The link to this and other CDC bioterrorism info is www.bt.cdc.gov.

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6. Obesity Fight Now Personal for HHS Chief - Thompson Puts Himself, Department on a Diet
   The man leading President Bush's health team, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson, knew 210 pounds was just a little too much Cabinet secretary. "When I came in here and saw so many fat people in the department, I said, 'We're the department of health, and the only way we can really be credible on the thing is to start looking the part and start exercising,' " explained Thompson. "So I put the whole department on a diet. Then I says, 'I can't put the department on a diet without myself losing weight.' So I took it upon myself to lose 15 pounds." And he did. For the full story in the Washington Post,  click here.

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7. Study examines factors driving hospital patient safety initiatives   
   A study published recently in the journal Health Affairs examines the factors -- such as professionalism, regulation and market forces -- that are driving hospital patient safety initiatives. The study is based on interviews with the largest hospitals in 12 U.S.communities conducted between September 2002 and May 2003 by the Center for Studying Health System Change. An abstract of the study can be found  here.

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  8. Positions Available
   Mississippi State Hospital is seeking an individual for immediate hire as Volunteer Program Manager. Preference will be given to applicants who possess strong leadership and communication skills. Resumes may be faxed to Kay Harrell at (601) 351-8222. For more information about the facility, visit www.msh.state.ms.us.
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 Natchez Regional Medical Center has an immediate opening for a full time Unit Manager in the Behavioral Health Unit (Geri-Psych). Two years relevant management experience required. MSN and certificate in psychiatric nursing preferred. Send resumes by mail to Natchez Regional, Attn: Human Resources, P.O. Box 1488, Natchez, MS 39121; by fax to (601) 443-2891; or by e-mail to lpugh@natchezregional.com.
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 North Mississippi State Hospital is currently accepting applications for Registered Nurses for our Tupelo campus and for our Crisis Intervention Center in Corinth. Must be licensed in the state of Mississippi. For an application or information, contact Human Resources at (662) 690-4200.
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 Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle is currently accepting applications for RNs on various shifts and staffing plans, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a radiologic tech, a nurse manager and a social worker/counselor. For more information or to apply, mail resumes to HR, 2520 5th Street North, Columbus, MS 39705 or fax to (662) 244-1564.
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 St. Dominic Hospital has an immediate opening for a director of engineering services. BS degree in related field and five years of previous experience as a manager or director of facilities in a large acute care facility are required. For more information or to apply, visit www.stdom.com or contact Melissa Rogers at (601) 200-6740. Resumes may also be faxed to (601) 200-6722 to Melissa’s attention.
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 A for-profit surgery center in Mississippi has an immediate opening for an administrator. Previous experience in management of multi-specialty freestanding surgical centers or outpatient surgery clinics is required. For more information or to apply, contact Baumann & Associates, Inc., by mail at 2265 Roswell Road, Ste. 100, Marietta, GA 30062; by phone at (770) 509-2237 or by e-mail at jbaumassoc@aol.com.
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 A critical access hospital in southwest Mississippi has an immediate opening for a full time physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. MS licensure required. Contact Ginger Schwager, assistant administrator for operations, at Field Memorial Community Hospital in Centreville, by phone at (601) 645-5221 ext. 324, by fax at (601) 645-5842 or by e-mail at gschwager@fmch.org.

 For a listing of hospital jobs available in Mississippi and to post your confidential resume online for health care recruiters, visit www.mshealthjobs.com.

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9. People in the News
   Joseph Weaver has been named associate administrator at Rankin Medical Center in Brandon. Previously, he served as chief financial officer at Central Mississippi Medical Center. He has over 20 years of experience in the health care field and holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance and an MBA from the University of West Florida in Pensacola. At RMC, Weaver will work more directly with the clinical aspects of health care administration.
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 Dr. Warren Jones, distinguished professor of health policy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) and state director of the Medicaid program, and Robert Clark, former House speaker pro tem, were recently honored by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for their contributions to diversity. Jones, former UMC vice chancellor for multicultural affairs, was recognized as the educator of the year for his devotion to increasing the number of minority health professionals and biomedical researchers. The Board also honored Robert Clark, the first African American elected to the legislature since reconstruction.
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 Peter Leer has been named associate director of operations at Greenwood Leflore Hospital. He comes from Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith, Ark., where he held the position of vice president of clinical services. He has 24 years of experience in health care. He received a BA in anthropology/pre-med from Dartmouth College, a BS in accounting from the University of the Ozarks, and an MHA from Duke University.
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  The following employees recently received I Swim with the Dolphins pins at Rankin Medical Center: Alice Daniels, Social Services; Rosie Gholston, Environmental Services; Robin Methvin, Social Services; Jeanette Mize, Case Management; Amy Rogers, Case Management; and Margaret Stubblefield, Quality Management. The pin recognizes team members who exemplify dolphin-like attributes: sensitivity to the needs of others, the ability to adapt and selfless concern for the safety and happiness of the group as a whole.
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 Boswell Regional Center in Magee recently honored its top employees for 2003. The top employees were: Residential Living - Terrell Hayes, Magee campus; Community ICF/MR - Lisa Motley, Brookhaven group homes; and Community/DD Services - Linda Dennis, Magee. Dennis, a manager in BRC’s Magee retirement program, was also named Overall Employee of the Year. She has been employed at BRC for 12 years.
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  Rankin Medical Center recently elected two new Community Advisory Board members. They are: Gale Martin, the executive director of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Barry Whites, an active RMC medical staff member for nearly 10 years and medical director of the Intensive Care Unit and of Respiratory Care. He is also a member of the Ethics Committee at RMC.
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 Lannie Lipscomb and Cindy Ratliffe of Rankin Medical Center were recently presented with “Winning with Teamwork” pins by their nurse manager, Melissa Knight. Knight recently implemented the Winning with Teamwork program on the hospital’s telemetry unit and honored their first recipients. Recipients will be recognized monthly.
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 Jake Lambert, MD, a cardiovascular surgeon, has joined the active medical staff of Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. He earned a medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. He completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine where he also served as chief resident. Dr. Lambert completed a second residency in thoracic surgery at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill. He is board certified in thoracic and general surgery. He has been in private practice in Tallahassee, Fla., since 1997.
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   Dr. Jamie Warnick, a pediatrician, has joined the active medical staff of Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville. She comes from a private practice in Southaven.
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   Elizabeth Denson, a registered nurse with North Mississippi Medical Center Home Health Agency Amory branch office, recently completed the American Nurses Credentialing Center Commission on Certification requirements in gerontology nursing. Denson can now use the credentials RNBC after her name. She has been an NMMC employee since 1992.
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   Mae Bramlett, data processing director for Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in Clarksdale, was recently honored for 45 years of service to the hospital. Bramlett and other employees were honored during the annual Employee Sweetheart Years of Service Banquet.
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   Wesley Lee, of Mashulaville, has been appointed to serve a four-year term on the Board of Trustees for Noxubee General Hospital. Lee, area manager for Four-County Electric Power Association, was appointed to the board by the Noxubee County District Four Supervisor Eddie Coleman. He replaces Richard McMann, who resigned from the board late last year.
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   Jerry Brantley has been named chief information officer for Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation in Memphis. Previously, he served as vice president and metro-Memphis market leader. He replaces Dick Escue, who recently moved to Sisters of Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

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10. News Around the State
   Mississippi State Hospital police officers are training hard for the 2004 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Lawmen throughout the state will carry the Flame of Hope from the state line in Memphis to Keesler AFB in Biloxi for the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Mississippi State Games. Commemorative T-shirts are now on sale to help raise funds for the event. Shirt sizes are M to 3XL and cost $10 each. To get yours, stop by the Gift Shop at MSH or contact Kathy Denton, community affairs coordinator, at (601) 351-8170 or dentoka@msh.state.ms.us. The Torch will be passed to MSH police officers on May 19 at Building 21.
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 Mississippi State Hospital patients will travel to Biloxi in June to participate in the Mississippi Arts Fair for the Handicapped. Twenty to thirty patients will participate in this celebration for people with mental retardation/developmental disabilities and mental illness through song, dance and drama highlights. Each participant will receive a souvenir program booklet. Interested donors can support the program through contributions ($100 or more will be listed as Gold Patrons in the booklet and less than $100 will be listed as Silver Patrons). Donations may also be made anonymously. For more information or to have a contribution form sent to you, contact Kathy Denton, community affairs coordinator, at (601) 351-8170 or dentoka@msh.state.ms.us. Deadline for contributions is March 31. All proceeds go to the production of the Arts Fair.
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   Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson recently purchased new digital mammography equipment. CMMC is the first medical facility in the state to offer digital mammography combined with a special computer-aided detection system called R2 Image Checker. The unit installed at CMMC has special compression paddles that tilt to help reduce patient discomfort during the exam. Unlike film/screen mammography, there is no processing delay, because the images go directly to a computer screen. This new system will reduce patient wait time both before and after the mammogram.
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   Magee General Hospital in Magee was recently recognized by the American Cancer Society as a top contributor in the 2003 Relay for Life campaign which raised money for cancer research and treatment. The hospital's donation topped $10,000 with fundraising efforts including a used book sale, several bake sales, a car wash, a Womanless Beauty Pageant hosted at the Community House, the sale of raffle tickets, numerous one-on-one donation requests and other team efforts for this worthwhile cause. This is the second consecutive year MGH has raised over $10,000 for cancer research and treatment. 
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   Bolivar Medical Center in Cleveland recently donated equipment to the Delta State University School of Nursing. The hospital donated suction pumps, fetal heart monitors, single and double IV pumps and defibrillators to be used in the clinical training of nurses.
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   North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo is now accepting applications for their third annual Summer Health Academy. The program will meet from 8 a.m. till noon June 7th through 11th. Students who are interested in pursuing a health career and have completed sixth, seventh or eighth grade are eligible. Participation is limited to 25 students who will be selected based on academic achievement, community service and desire to enter the health profession. Students will interact one-on-one with nurses, physicians, technologists, pharmacists, physical therapists and other health care staff. The fee for Summer Health Academy is $50, which includes educational materials, a T-shirt, snacks and Friday lunch. Applications are available at Tupelo-area schools or by calling the NMMC Employment Services Desk at (662) 377-3245 or 1-800-THE-DESK.  
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   The Sunshine Guild Hospital Auxiliary at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Biloxi is now accepting applications for three $1,000 scholarships to be used during the 2004 fall semester or 2005 spring/summer semesters. Applicants must be 18 years or older and have completed one year of college in a medical-related field. For more information, contact Rosie Livingston, director of volunteer services, at (228) 388-0480.

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11. MHA Education Calendar

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