March 14, 2005

MHA NewsWeekly Electronic Edition
March 14, 2005

Quote of the Week
“People forget how fast you did a job - but they remember how well you did it.”
~ Howard Newton

In this week's edition...
1. 5th Annual Spring Societies Conference Set for April
2. WMD Awareness for Mississippi Emergency Medical Providers
3. Komen Steel Magnolia Race for the Cure
4. New Resource Guide for People with Disabilities
5. CMS Issues NCD Draft Guidance Documents for Comments
6. Kidney Disease Web Site Links Patients, Providers to Online Resources
7. E-mail helps doctors keep better tabs on patients
8. DHHS OCR Posts New HIPAA FAQs
9. Mind the Gap
10. Take your Merck to work
11. Positions Available
12. People in the News
13. News Around the State
14. MHA Education Calendar
15. Calendar of Events

1. 5th Annual Spring Societies Conference Set for April 
   Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Spring Societies Conference - April 21-22 at the Casino Magic Resort in Bay St. Louis. The theme of this year’s conference is It’s a Jungle Out There! and the educational offerings will help you navigate the pitfalls and obstacles in managing your hospital’s community reputation.
   Al Stubblefield, President and CEO of Baptist Healthcare Corporation and the author of The Baptist Health Care Journey to Excellence: Creating a Culture That WOWS!, will be the keynote speaker. He will cover the importance of maintaining a position as an employer of choice in your market by emphasizing values-based recruitment, employee and customer satisfaction, retention and leadership development. And a copy of Stubblefield’s book is included in the registration fee.
   The conference will begin on Thursday, April 21, with your choice of  a golf tournament or a shopping tournament in Olde Towne Bay St. Louis. Society board meetings are slated for the afternoon and the annual Maggie Awards Dinner will take place that evening at 6 p.m. On Friday, April 22, the educational sessions will begin, including the keynote and various breakout sessions.
   The cost for the conference is $115 per person for MHA society members and $175 for non-MHA society members. For more information or to have registration materials sent to you, contact Diane Clift at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3217 or dclift@mhanet.org.   

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2. WMD Awareness for Mississippi Emergency Medical Providers       
   The Mississippi Hospital Association’s Office of Emergency Preparedness, in conjunction with the Health Resources & Services Administration and the Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Emergency Planning and Response, will host Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness for Mississippi Emergency Medical Providers in locations around the state in March and April. Participants will be trained to the awareness level in threat recognition and identification and will learn guidelines for responding to a suspected WMD incident.
   Sessions will include information about terrorist threats, chemical agents, radiological materials, biological agents, emergency response actions, principles of triage during a WMD mass casualty event, personal protective equipment, WMD crime scenes and devices and searches. Participants will receive an awareness-level certificate from the Office of Domestic Preparedness at the conclusion of the course.
   The course will be offered in the following locations: March 24, Oxford Conference Center, Oxford; March 25, North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, Verona; March 28, Eagle Ridge Conference Center, Raymond; March 29, Frank Cochran Center, Meridian; March 31, Orange Grove/Lyman Community Center, Gulfport; and April 1, James Lynn Cartlidge Multi-Purpose Center, Hattiesburg. There is no registration fee for this program but registration is required because manuals and meals are included.
   For more information or to register, contact Gay Salter at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3233 or gsalter@mhanet.org.
   To receive daily updates on WMD issues, join the Bioterrorism/Emergency Preparedness Community at MyMHA.

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3. Komen Steel Magnolia Race for the Cure
   The Central Mississippi Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is inviting organizations to form a team and join thousands of others who will participate in the Komen Steel Magnolia Race for the Cure on Saturday, April 2, in downtown Jackson. Corporate team sponsorship is only $75 for five members. The sponsorship includes eligibility for awards to be presented after the race. Additional employees may participate as part of your corporate team for $15 each.
   The Susan G. Komen Foundation is the largest private organization funding breast cancer research activities. More than 75 percent of the funds raised will benefit residents in a 30-county area of central Mississippi. For a registration packet or more information, call (866) 47KOMEN.

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4. New Resource Guide for People with Disabilities
   The Kaiser Family Foundation recently released new guides, prepared by Bob Williams and Henry Claypool of Advancing Independence and Jeff Crowley of the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, that explain the role of Medicare and Medicaid for roughly 20 million children, adults and seniors with disabilities.
   These guides offer a basic introduction to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, including answers to questions such as:
• How do people with disabilities apply for coverage under Medicare or Medicaid?
• What is Medicare’s policy for covering durable medical equipment?
• Where can people with disabilities turn if they need help in applying for Medicaid?
• How do people with disabilities appeal Medicare coverage decisions?
• Can a person with a disability who has Medicare and/or Medicaid be employed and still keep their coverage?
   The guides are available in PDF and HTML formats here.

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5. CMS Issues NCD Draft Guidance Documents for Comments
   The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is accepting comment on the first three of a series of draft guidance documents associated with the National Coverage Determination process. The documents can be found here.
   The documents describe factors that CMS considers when initiating a Medicare NCD; determining when to commission an external health technology assessment to evaluate a new health care technology; and referring issues to the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee for independent, expert advice and public input on specific clinical topics.
   The effort is being led by CMS' Council for Technology and Innovation, established under the Medicare Modernization Act to lead improvements in the coordination of coverage, coding, and payment processes with respect to new technologies and procedures.
   To receive daily updates on Medicare issues, join the Medicare/Medicaid Community at MyMHA.

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6. Kidney Disease Web Site Links Patients, Providers to Online Resources
   A new Web site gives patients, physicians and caregivers access to more than 60 online kidney-disease information resources, HealthDay/Yahoo News reports. The KidneyResource.com site also helps patients find physicians and features an interactive Anemia Awareness Center, which provides information about the kidney disease-related condition.
   "It was developed based on research showing how people tend to intuitively search for information on this type of site," said Kris Robinson, executive director of the American Association of Kidney Patients. "As a result, visitors will find it logical and easy to use," she said.
   Pharmaceutical company Ortho Biotech and patient and physician groups developed the directory.

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7. E-mail helps doctors keep better tabs on patients
   Ordinarily, doctors are paid when they see patients in person or run lab tests, but there's no financial bonus paid for calling patients with chronic diseases to come in for regular checkups or tests. With health-care costs soaring, though, more companies are considering whether to reward physicians for taking the initiative with sicker patients. That's the idea behind Vanderbilt's pair of pilot programs, both of which are sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the state's largest health insurer. For the full story from The Tennessean, click here.

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8. DHHS OCR Posts New HIPAA FAQs
   The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) posted March 8 two new frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. The first question involved whether a health plan may disclose protected health information (PHI) to a state child support enforcement agency in response to a National Medical Support Notice. OCR said that the HIPAA Privacy Rule allowed such disclosure pursuant to 45 C.F.R. Section 164.512(f), which allows disclosure of PHI to a law enforcement official for law enforcement purposes. According to OCR, an employee "who is empowered by state or federal law to enforce a medical child support order, meets this definition of a law enforcement official." The second FAQ asked whether a covered entity must obtain an individual's authorization to disclose PHI to an interpreter. OCR responded that a covered entity did not need to obtain an authorization to use an interpreter as long as the provider meets certain conditions. Under 45 C.F.R. Section 164.506(c), covered entities may use and disclose PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without an individual's authorization, and use of an interpreter falls under healthcare operations, said OCR.
   To read the FAQs, click here. 
   To receive daily updates about HIPAA issues, joint the Compliance Community at MyMHA.

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9. Mind the Gap
   Health care reform cannot occur without a sea change in the way two key groups work together: clinicians and nonclinicians. They must first "mind the gap" and then bridge the chasm so initiatives that make health care safer, more efficient and more available have a decent chance of success. For the full story, click here.

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10. Take your Merck to work
   A classic physician reference tool has become a lot more portable for the 21st century, with this week's announcement that the Merck Manual has gone completely wireless and mobile.
   Doctors who register at www.merckmedicus.com will now be able to access most of the Merck Manual's diagnostic tools via cellular phones with Web-browsing capabilities and personal digital assistants, such as Pocket PCs, Blackberries, and Palm OS devices.
   The service is free, and provides users wth access to the 17th edition of the Merck Manual, the Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests, MEDLINE Journal Abstracts, and the Reuters news service.

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11. Positions Available
   Jaquith Nursing Home located in Whitfield is seeking a marketing coordinator. Master’s degree and four years of experience or bachelor’s degree and five years of experience in marketing, public relations or a related field is required. E-mail or fax resumes to Kay Harrell, Personnel Department, Mississippi State Hospital, harresk@msh.state.ms.us, fax (601) 351-8222.
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   Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg is seeking candidates for the following positions: respiratory therapist, physical therapist, reimbursement supervisor, pharmacist, MRI tech and ultrasound tech. Interested candidates can print an application from www.forrestgeneral.com and fax to (601) 288-1201. For more information, contact Erecka Magee at (601) 288-1205 or emagee@forrestgeneral.com.
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   Healthcare Administrator - must possess a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration or a related field along with five years administrative experience. For more information contact Jeffrey Erickson, Personnel Director, at (601) 824-1692 or fax resumes to (601) 824-1687.
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   Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle is currently accepting applications for: physician services coordinator (must have a BS degree and communication and public relations skills); pharmacist (BS in Pharmacy or PharmD and MS license required); physical therapist assistant (must have associate’s degree and MS license); medical physicist (must have master’s in Physics and MS registration, a minimum of 3-5 yrs clinical experience in a Radiation Oncology Department and certification by ABR or ACMP); and a medical technologist (must have completed an approved school). For more information or to apply, contact Bobbie Robinson at (662) 244-1133, Fax (662) 244-1564 or e-mail bobbie.robinson@bmhcc.org.
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   St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital is seeking a vice president of business development for a newly created position. Position reports directly to the President of St. Dominic Hospital and serves as a key member of the Hospital’s administrative team within a Christian business environment. Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible strategic planning and business development experience highly desirable, preferably in health care. Experience working with executives and physicians required. Relocation allowance provided if required. Send current resume to: Lamar Nesbit, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Support Services, St. Dominic Hospital, 969 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216. Resume may be emailed to Lnesbit@stdom.com or faxed to 601-200-0777.
   For a listing of additional hospital jobs available in Mississippi and to post your confidential resume for health care recruiters to view, visit www.mshealthjobs.com.

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12. People in the News
   K. Michael Bailey, Ph.D., has been named administrator of North Mississippi Medical Center-Eupora. Bailey has more than 23 years of experience in health care management. He replaces Harold Whitaker who retired Feb. 23 after 33 years at the Eupora hospital. Previously, Bailey served as chief financial officer and director of the Mississippi Division of Medicaid’s Office of Finance and Administration. A native of D’Lo, he holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Belhaven College. He completed the advanced respiratory therapy program at the University of Chicago Hospital and Clinics and is a registered respiratory therapist. He holds a diploma in health services administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Bailey earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees in business administration and is a Mississippi licensed nursing home administrator.
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   Alison Opdyke has been promoted to director of Mississippi State Hospital’s Personnel Department. She has been with hospital for three years and previously served as the employee relations director. A native of Mize, she earned her B.S. in medical technology from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, a master’s in health services administration from Mississippi College and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in adult education from the University of Southern Mississippi.
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   Malinda Brown was recently named Employee of the Year for Oktibbeha County Hospital in Starkville. The 35-year veteran was also named Employee of the Quarter in December.
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   Oktibbeha County Hospital recently presented service award pins and appreciation gifts to: Loretta Grayer, 25 years; Naomi Cannon, 30 years; and A. C. “Sonny” Kelly, 30 years. Both 30-year employees were also honored with video presentations spotlighting their years at OCH.
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   John Taylor has been named plant operations director at Oktibbeha County Hospital. He is responsible for maintenance, aesthetics and safety and serves as the construction liaison. He is a member of both the American Society for Health Care Engineering and the Mississippi Society for Healthcare Engineering.
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   Dr. Andy Brown, a professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and one of the nation’s leaders in patient safety research, has been selected to serve on the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. The council is a 21-member panel that makes recommendations to the director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on priorities for a national health services research agenda. Brown is the co-founder of UMC’s Patient Safety Center. Brown, who will serve on the council for three years, will review grant applications along with the rest of the council and help determine which projects the AHRQ will fund.
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   Lee Patrick, RN, in the Ambulatory Care Department at Rankin Medical Center in Brandon, was recently named Nurse of the Quarter. She has worked at RMC nearly 10 years and continues to advance her knowledge by maintaining ACLS and PALS certification. She is also chemotherapy certified. Patrick is also a member of her local fire department as an EMT.
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   Rhonda Parker, BSN, RN, the performance improvement/JCAHO coordinator at Rankin Medical, was named Employee of the Quarter. The hospital received an award for excellence from IQH in large part due to her leadership.
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   Betty Kay Adams, RT, CRA, has been named Department Manager of the Quarter at Rankin Medical Center. She is the director of imaging services.
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   Jeanette Jarmon, an art teacher at Oak Circle Center’s Lakeside School, completed the National Board Certified Teacher Program and was recently honored by the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce at a dinner and program.
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   Williams Woods, MD, radiation oncologist at Forrest General Hospital’s Cancer Center, has passed the Maintenance of Certification exam for radiation oncology given by the American Board of Radiology.
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   Jane Biggers Chamblee, director of human resources for North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka, was recently selected as a recipient of the 2005 Mississippi Who's Who Human Resources Director Award by the Mississippi Business Journal. She serves on the hospital's LiveWell Incentive Program, social safety, JCAHO, high school scholarship and education committees. Her community involvement includes fund-raising and programs for the American Cancer Society, NMMC Health Care Foundation, United Way of Northeast Mississippi, American Heart Association and the community food pantries.
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   Gulf Coast Medical Center's medical staff elections were held recently. Kathryn McClure, MD (OB/GYN), was elected chief of medical staff for 2005. Dr. McClure received her MD in 1997 from Louisiana State University and completed her residency at LSU. Other officers are: Dudley Burwell, MD (Orthopedics), chief of medical staff-elect; Barry Harris, MD (Family Practice), chief of medicine; Robert Siragusa, MD (Anesthesiology), chief of surgery; Sheridan Tucker, MD (Psychiatry), chief of psychiatry; Vanessa Duncombe, MD (Family Practice), secretary/treasurer; and Blanche Havas, MD (Psychiatry) and Fred Dale, MD (Emergency Medicine), members-at-large.
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   Jennifer Sinclair, CPA, has been promoted to vice president of finance for St. Dominic Hospital. Previously, she served as controller since joining the hospital in 2001. Her new position will incorporate some of her current responsibilities, including direct management and oversight of St. Dominic Hospital's accounting department, business office, medical records, purchasing and emergency room admissions department. She will also assume management responsibilities for physician practice management and capital budgeting. Sinclair graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. in accounting and received her CPA license in 1995.
   For more People in the News, with color photos, visit Mississippi Hospitals Today.

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13. News Around the State
   A new winner emerged recently as cooks competed in the annual Taste of UMC sponsored by the UMC Alliance. The Department of Medicine beat out the competition with its “Tail of Two Gates” theme. Second prize went to Physical Facilities, the 2004 Grand Prize winner; while the Division of Public Affairs took third place honors. Honorable mention went to the Jackson Medical Mall, the GI Division, hospital education and the Mississippi Federal Credit Union. The event raised over $43,000. The money will go to the chapel fund, the patient needs fund and other programs to benefit the patients of University Hospital.
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   The 4th Annual Farmer Jim Neal Golf Tournament will be held April 15 at Whisper Lake Country Club in Madison. Proceeds from this charity event benefit Friends of Mississippi State Hospital, Inc. The player’s fee is $125. Additional sponsorship programs are available from $250 to $2,000, some including four-member team spots. The morning round will begin at 8:30 a.m.; the afternoon round will begin at 1:30 p.m. Lunch, dinner and prizes are included. For more information, contact Belvia Ferguson at (601) 351-8018.
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   Pioneer Outpatient Behavioral Health of Columbus recently held a ribbon-cutting. The facility is a department of Pioneer Community Hospital in Aberdeen.
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   King's Daughters Medical Clinic in Brookhaven recently held its grand opening and ribbon cutting. The clinic is located across from the hospital on Brookhaven Drive. It is open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. till noon.
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   A joint program through Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in Clarksdale and Magnolia Club House has helped those with mental issues since 1993. The hospital has helped the club with offering opportunities for members to go back to work through a transitional employment program. The hospital is in the third year of its program and gets each member for six months. So far, four have worked in plant operations and maintenance while one took up housekeeping.
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    The new KEEP 'EM FLYING tags benefiting The Med in Memphis are now available. For every tag sold, $24 of the proceeds will benefit The Med's trauma, burn and NICU centers. The tag features the HospitalWing helicopter. Area residents who pre-purchased the tags are asked to take the old tags off vehicles and turn them in for the new tag at the Tax Collector's Office.
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   The Wayne General Hospital Auxiliary recently observed their first Patient Recognition Day at the hospital. The auxiliary handed out "happies" bags to patients on Feb. 3 in observance of the day. Bags included a bottle of hand lotion (which was donated by the local Wal-Mart), a notepad and pen, a box of raisins, candy, gum and a crocheted smiley face that auxiliary members Lois Smith and Ivol McAdams were involved in getting ready for the package.
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   Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center plans to add a new building to its property. The hospital needs a storage building to store X-rays. The current plans call for a metal storage building covering 1.02 acres across Cheryl Street, adjacent to the helicopter landing.
   For more News Around the State, with color photos, visit Mississippi Hospitals Today.

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14. MHA Education Calendar

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15. Calendar of Events

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