Hospital Matters from the Minnesota Hospital Association

Data shows the great resignation during the COVID pandemic is still echoing through the workforce – but hospitals are coping with new challenges now, including ge nerational change ,  a recalibration of immigration by the Trump administration , and a big expansion of the availability of the N-CLEX test. We'll  hear more about that from Patti Artley, chief clinical officer of Medical Solutions Grou...

Federal regulations that went into effect this spring  require hospitals that care for Medicare patients  to  meet new standards , including participation in  a so-called "patient safety organization . "  MHA has partnered with  ECRI, a PSO,   to be a resource for  hospital s in Mi nnesota that  don't  already have  a patient safety  organization  in place . Host: Tim Nelson Guest: Anna Thomas,  P...

Lakewood Health is joining programs in Grand Rapids and Wilmar, hosting University of Minnesota medical school grads for residencies focused on family practice and rural hospital care. Dr. Kaitlyn Schoeck, who trained in Staples herself, talks about why programs like this are important for the future of health care outside Minnesota's major cities. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association...

This week, Minnesota Hospital Association vice president of finance policy Joe Schindler and director of state government affairs Danny Ackert talk about this spring's high profile debate over the federal 340B drug discount program in Minnesota -- and why it is important for hospitals and patients. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association Guests: Joe Schindler, Danny Ackert, Minnesota Hosp...

In Ely, child care is at a premium, and that was having an impact on staffing at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital, as parents struggled to find care for their kids while they cared for patients. The EBCH foundation and leadership decided to tackle the problem head on and set up their own child care center close to the hospital for staff. CEO Patti Banks even got licensed as a child care provi...

Non-emergency medical transportation is the system that helps people get to hospitals and clinics for routine care, and get home or to a post-acute setting when they no longer need to be in the hospital. But northeastern Minnesota is facing a growing shortage of this transportation. New research from the University of Minnesota Duluth shows how this shortage is affecting patient access to care and...

Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving across the health care industry. In this episode of Hospital Matters, Dr. Steve Berkowitz shares insights on how AI applications are beginning to influence clinical care and operations, and what health care leaders should be watching for in the future .   Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association Guest: Steve Berkowitz, SMB Consulting

This week, we bring you another segment from a recent WCCO Radio special report on the crises facing Minnesota hospitals. James Hereford, CEO at Fairview, Aspirus Lake View president Greg Ruberg, and Winona Health CEO Rachelle Schultz talked with WCCO host Blois Olson about long-term solutions to the challenges facing health care right now. Host: Blois Olson Guest: James Hereford, Fairview Health...

This episode of Hospital Matters features the first segment of a two-hour special report by WCCO Radio on the state of Minnesota's hospitals. Former health commissioner Jan Malcolm, now a special advisor to Gov. Tim Walz, and Minnesota Hospital Association president and CEO Rahul Koranne talked about the situation with WCCO Radio host Blois Olson. Host: Blois Olson, WCCO Radio Guest: Jan Malcolm,...

A new University of Minnesota Duluth study is shedding light on the  experiences shaping the rural health care workforce  in Minnesota.  On this episode of Hospital Matters, h ear how researchers are turning  findings  into real-world strategies to sustain care in rural communities.   Learn more about the research and  explore  trainings  available to the public .     Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota H...

A new integrated health center in Scott County is expanding access to mental health and addiction care, helping patients get the right care at the right time. On this episode of Hospital Matters, leaders from Scott County, Allina Health, and St. Francis Regional Medical Center discuss how the partnership came together and what it means for the region. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Associati...

Nonprofit hospitals and health systems work in and outside of their walls to make their communities healthier and provide care for patients regardless of their ability to pay - and E ssentia Health recently reported $539 million in these benefits and other community contributions.   Host: Tim Nelson,  Minnesota Hospital Assocation Guests: Melanie Wilson, Essentia Health Senior Vice President for R...

Amid workforce development worries, economic uncertainty and demographic changes, nursing has emerged as a "surefire new path to American prosperity," economics reporter Jeanne Whalen recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal. In this episode, Whalen talks about the shifting economy, social norms and other factors that are making nursing careers some of the best bets in the U.S. workforce Host: Ti...

Jarrod Buresh, Aspirus St. Luke's Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center Medical Director, and Maija Kaarto, Aspirus St. Luke's Wound Care Clinical Supervisor joined Hospital Matters to talk about the partnership with the Chum Hope Clinic where they offer free wound care to unhoused patients - providing dignified care to people who need it, and reducing strain in emergency departments.  Host: Tim Nelson...

Minnesota Hospital Association vice president for finance policy Joe Schindler joins Hospital Matters to talk about a new Minnesota Department of Health report on unpaid care at hospitals. The latest report shows it jumped by nearly a third between 2023 and 2024. Schindler says safety net and rural hospitals are among those struggling the most with uncompensated care. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota H...

HealthPartners' hospitals in St. Paul and St. Louis Park are using "discharge lounges" as an interim step between inpatient stays and going home. It's part of a national trend to help increase capacity by making more beds available sooner. This week, we check in with Methodist Hospital, after they set up such an area this winter. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association Guests: Joy Bartlet...

The conflict in Iran is threatening to drive up energy prices, and the price of everything else. Minnesota Hospital Association vice president for finance policy Joe Schindler says hospitals are still trying to dig out from the inflation spike that followed the COVID pandemic, and more cost pressures are already picking up. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association Guest: Joe Schindler, Min...

The Minnesota Legislature is shifting into another gear, with bills making their way through committees and getting their first votes. The Minnesota Hospital Association's Michelle Benson and Danny Ackert have an overview of what to watch at the Capitol right now. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association Guest: Michelle Benson, Minnesota Hospital Association Guest: Danny Ackert, Minnesota...

Minnesota Management and Budget commissioner Erin Campbell reported that revenues and expenses improved to reduce the state's projected budget deficit. But there may be tougher times ahead, as health care providers brace for big changes in Medicaid regulation and eligibility in 2027. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association Guest: Bob Hume, vice president, Minnesota Hospital Association Gu...

This week, we have the full remarks of Minnesota's top legislative leaders at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's annual Session Priorities gathering. The evening touched on the tragic murder of House speaker emerita Melissa Hortman, as well as a variety of issues lawmakers will likely tackle this year -- including health care and hospital funding. The participants  included DFL State Senator and...

Hospitals aren't forever. Fierce Healthcare editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison recently told the story of what happened in her home town, Carmi, Illinois, after the White County Medical Center closed its doors more than 20 years ago. "There are two kinds of Americans: those who live 12 minutes from an emergency department and those who live 72," she writes. "The distinction has become one of the most co...

Hyperbaric medicine is growing in popularity and popping up in facilities all over the region. But the HCMC  hyperbaric  program is the only 24/7 facility between Chicago and Denver – a key support for patients in need. In this episo de we talk to medical director Dr. Thomas Masters about this unique service that Hennepin Healthcare has supported for decades.     Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospit...

Mental health care for Minnesotans in crisis is proving a singular challenge for providers, particularly for children and for hospitals. Children's  Minnesota and the Washburn Center for Children are teaming up in a new way to take on that challenge, and we'll hear how from Stephen DeLong, chief mental health social worker at Children's Minnesota and Jenny Britton, chief clinical officer at Washbu...

In this episo de,   we'll   have an excerpt from the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal's Health C are  Update forum, recorded Jan. 15 th  in St. Paul. The speakers start off with Lisa Erickson, President and CEO at  Medica;  Dr. Rahul Koranne, President and CEO, Minnesota Hospital Association; Lisa Shannon, President and CEO, Allina Health; D r. Emily Chapman, President and CEO, Children's M...

Immigration and Greenland have been dominating the headlines in recent days, but  there's  some other key developments in federal health policy as well. The 340B drug discount program, the federal  budget  and Obamacare are all  b ack  in the news.   In this episo de,   we'll  visit again with Becky Wifstrand, the Minnesota Hospital Association's director of federal policy and regulatory affairs....