The trade group for hospitals in Minnesota has won more federal funding for programs that are designed to prevent patients from suffering harm during hospital stays.
Last week, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced $110 million in funding to 17 national, regional or state hospital associations and health systems for what are called "Hospital Engagement Networks," which work to improve patient safety.
The Minnesota Hospital Association was one of the recipients, with $2.5 million in support from the federal government.
Previously, the Minnesota Hospital Association received about $9.5 million in federal support for related programs going back to 2011. Hospitals in the state have worked on preventing hospital-acquired health problems, as well as return trips to the hospital when such "readmissions" can be prevented.
"Collectively, our 115 participating hospitals have prevented nearly 15,500 patients from being harmed and saved more than $112 million in health care costs," said Dr. Rahul Koranne, chief medical officer for the Minnesota Hospital Association, in a statement. "Our selection as a returning participant … will allow us to build on these efforts."
Across the country, the new money will support training programs, technical assistance to hospitals and systems for tracking quality improvement, according to a CMS news release.
In Minnesota, hospitals plan to expand the patient safety focus to areas such as reducing adverse drug events, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections connected to central lines in patients.
Christopher Snowbeck • 612-673-4744
