KHA had an outstanding legislative session this year. All of our priority bills passed unanimously and were then signed by the Governor! This success was made possible through the collective efforts of the members and your assistance in contacting your local legislators.

Please review the 2019 Kentucky General Assembly Final Report for Hospitals, which contains a summary of KHA’s priority bills, including a detailed description of HB 320 which will provide supplemental Medicaid payments to hospitals. Information...

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Bronze Sponsor ChartWise Medical System, Inc.

ChartWise CDI is the KLAS award-winning Clinical Documentation Improvement solution integrated across the health care continuum, increasing efficiency and reducing risk, with a proven fast ROI.

For more information, visit the ChartWise Medical System website at http://www.chartwisemed.com/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA...

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Corporate Sponsor the Kentucky Regional Extension Center!

The Kentucky Regional Extension Center (Kentucky REC) serves as a trusted advisor to health care organizations, clinicians and leaders, helping them to manage the complex and changing world of health care.

For more information, visit the Kentucky REC website at https://www.kentuckyrec.com/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA (carant@kyha.com).

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Corporate Sponsor Medical Waste Services!

Medical Waste Services is based in Ashland, Kentucky, and provides medical waste pick up and secure document shredding. They offer competitive pricing with no unfair contracts.

For more information, visit the Medical Waste Services website at https://medicalwasteservices.us/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA (carant@kyha.com).

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Corporate Sponsor 3M | M*Modal!

M*Modal's cloud-based clinical documentation solutions connect workflows for efficient and accurate medical speech recognition, medical transcription, CDI and coding. The company facilitates physician-patient relationships by making it easy for doctors to capture the patient story, and by delivering information when it is needed most — at the point of care.

For more information, visit the M*Modal website at https://mmodal.com/.

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The American Hospital Association is recruiting hospital and health system trustees to serve on its Committee on Governance and Regional Policy Boards beginning in January 2020.

Please see AHA's flyer, which includes details and a link to the application form. If you know of trustees from your facilities who would make good candidates, please let them know of this opportunity.

Applications are due May 23.

If you have any questions, please contact AHA's Director of Member Relations Joan M. Ryzner (312-422-3321 or via email at jryzner@aha.org).

 

Up to 7.5 hours of ACHE face-to-face credits are available at KHA's 90th Annual Convention, May 8-10 in Lexington. Additionally, the Kentucky Chapter of the ACHE will host its Award Luncheon on May 9.

Details on all the ACHE sessions are available on the Convention website at https://www.khaconference.com/ache-sessions.

The KHA Convention website also has details on the entire agenda,  special events, links to online registration and a printable program....

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Corporate Sponsor Quality Air Solutions!

Quality Air Solutions is the exclusive stocking distributor for Parker Balston steam filters in steam sterilization systems and compressed air filtration for hospitals in Kentucky.

For more information, visit the Quality Air Solutions website at http://www.qualityairsolutions.net/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA (carant@kyha.com).

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Corporate Sponsor Nihon Kohden America!

Nihon Kohden is a cardiac monitoring and telemetry company that offers a full suite of solutions, helping to deliver premium care and enhance nursing workflow. "Different Thinking for Better Health Care."

For more information, visit the Nihon Kohden America website at https://www.nihonkohden.com/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA (carant@kyha.com).

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Corporate Sponsor JACO!

JACO is a leading manufacturer of point-of-care EHR mobile computer carts, wall stations and wall arm technology. JACO is an ISO-Certified, women-owned business

For more information, visit the JACO website at https://www.jacoinc.com/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA (carant@kyha.com).

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Bronze Sponsor Voalte!

Voalte develops smartphone solutions that simplify caregiver communication. As the only company to offer a comprehensive Mobile Communication Strategy, Voalte enables care teams inside and outside the hospital to access and exchange information securely. Voalte customers benefit from a solid smartphone infrastructure that supports their existing systems and expands to accommodate future technologies. Founded in 2008, Voalte is a privately held company based in Sarasota, Florida.

For more information, visit the Voalte website at http://www.voalte.com/.

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As you’re making your plans to attend the KHA 90th Annual Convention (May 8-10), we wanted to provide an update on hotel room availability. The KHA room block at the host hotel (The Hyatt Regency Lexington) is almost sold out. The rest of the hotel is completely booked for the night of May 9 due to a concert in Rupp Arena. Rooms at the Hyatt are still available May 7-8.

As the rest of the block of Hyatt rooms will fill quickly, KHA has worked with the Hyatt to find other rooms available in Lexington on May 9. Please use any of the following links to book your hotel room.

Hyatt Regency (a few rooms left with the KHA block; book quickly) Group Code: KHA9 or mention the KHA Annual Meeting Reservations: 800-233-1234 or online at: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/LEXRL/G-KHA9

Embassy Suites by Hilton/UK Coldstream 1801 Newtown Pike Lexington, Kentucky Group Code: KHC Reservations:...

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Bronze Sponsor Luckett & Farley!

Established in 1853, Louisville-based architecture, engineering and interior design firm, Luckett & Farley, harnesses the collective creativity of over 100 employee-owners to execute design excellence.

For more information, visit the Luckett & Farley website at https://www.luckett-farley.com/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA (carant@kyha.com).

KHA and the K-HIIN group recently recognized Sokhon Pok, at T. J. Samson Community Hospital, as the latest Patient Safety Hero Awardee. Pok was nominated by Andrea Purchis, T. J. Samson Infection Preventionist, who elaborated on why he deserved the award:

"I am so proud to have Sokhon Pok at our hospital. He is an exemplary nurse. On my daily rounds I assess foley needs on our patients. Every single time I have mentioned to Sokhon that his patient's foley has the capability to come out, he has it out within the hour. He never gives accuses for patient safety and he understands the risk of leaving these devices in."

Congratulations to Pok and all the T. J. Samson Community Hospital Hospital staff for their quality health care achievements!

Pictured left to...

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Corporate Sponsor Riverside Radiology and Interventional Associates!

RRIA is a physician-led professional radiology practice servicing 34 hospital partners, facilitating over 3 million annual exams and comprehensively implementing onsite radiology leadership.

For more information, visit the Riverside Radiology and Interventional Associates website at https://riversiderad.com/.

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Each year, KHA recognizes an outstanding hospital trustee with its Health Care Governance Leadership Award during the KHA Annual Convention Awards Luncheon. This year’s Awards Luncheon will be held on May 10 during KHA's 90th Annual Convention at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington.

Nomination criteria and a nominating form are available at http://www.new-kyha.com/Portals/5/NewsDocs/HealthCareGovernanceAwardNominationForm.pdf. Please return the form by April 15. Should you have any questions regarding the awards process, please contact Sharon Perkins at KHA (sperkins@kyha.com).

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Corporate Sponsor Community Hospital Corporation!

CHC owns, manages and consults with community hospitals across the country. Services include: ownership/leasing, management, operational consulting, post-acute services and GPO access.

For more information, visit the Community Hospital Corporation website at https://communityhospitalcorp.com/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA (carant@kyha.com).

The recent historic flooding in Nebraska has dramatically impacted its communities over the past few weeks. Many have lost their homes, their land and their livelihood, and many of the unsung heroes throughout this disaster have been hospital and health system employees that keep the hospital doors open 24/7. To honor and assist hospital employees that have been impacted by the floods, the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) is establishing a hospital employee relief fund.

The Nebraska Hospital Association Research and Educational Foundation (NHAREF) Hospital Employee Disaster Relief Fund is being established to assist hospital employees within Nebraska who have been adversely affected by natural disasters. The fund was set up to express gratitude for the courage of the many health care workers that put aside their own concerns to meet the needs of their communities

It is estimated that over 500 hospital employees have been impacted by the recent flooding and this number could certainly...

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Bronze Sponsor SwipeSense!

MCG Health, part of the Hearst Health network, provides evidence-based guidance and software solutions to nearly 1,900 U.S. hospitals to support the entire patient journey.

For more information, visit the SwipeSense website at https://www.swipesense.com/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA (carant@kyha.com).

Please join us for a night of celebration during KHA's 90th Annual Convention in Lexington as we recognize and honor our past Board chairs, long-time KHA employees and Mike Rust's career as president.

May 9 Cocktail Reception 6:00 p.m. Dinner 6:30 p.m. Prizes and Entertainment 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Kentucky Hospitals' Circle of Friends PAC will raffle an Emerald Pendant provided by Farmer's Jeweler's in Lexington.

Entertainment will be provided by The Remedy (Special thanks to bassist and KHA Vice President of Finance Carl Herde).

Online registration is available for your convenience. Visit the brand new KHA Convention website for more details or download the printable program....

KHA is grateful for the support of its Annual Sponsors! Through their generous donations, KHA is better able to support its members and provide a wide array of services. Please join KHA in thanking Corporate Sponsor MCG Health!

MCG Health, part of the Hearst Health network, provides evidence-based guidance and software solutions to nearly 1,900 U.S. hospitals to support the entire patient journey.

For more information, visit the MCG Health website at https://www.mcg.com/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant at KHA (carant@kyha.com).

Does your invoice analysis tool check wholesaler charges against the 340B drug pricing program?

Many hospitals have tools to analyze the charges their GPOs invoice to identify discrepancies and overcharges. KHA Solutions Group's Affinity Partner SUNRx provides an Invoice Analysis tool that is unique. No other tool in the industry has the ability to check wholesaler charges against the 340B drug pricing program. This is because other GPO analysis tools don't have access to 340B pricing.

The average savings using the SUNRx Invoice Analysis tool is between 2-5%.

If you are looking to reduce drug spend costs, contact Pam Kirchem at KHA Solutions Group (pkirchem@kyha.com) to learn how SUNRx can help.

The KHA Annual Volunteer Conference will be held May 8 in Lexington as part of the KHA 90th Annual Convention. This is a great opportunity for hospital volunteers/auxilians, directors of volunteer services and gift shop managers to be honored and have the opportunity to learn from their cohorts from across the state.

Each year, the KHA Committee on Volunteer Services recognizes outstanding volunteer programs across the state. The Fifteenth Annual “KHA HANDS Awards” (Helping Accomplish Noteworthy Duties Successfully) will be presented at the Auxiliary Luncheon during the KHA Convention.

This year's Convention will also see the introduction of a new award to honor student volunteers. In collaboration with the Kentucky Hospital Committee on Volunteer Services and statewide Kentucky hospital auxilians and volunteers, the Kentucky Hospital Association presents the Carol Walters Teen Volunteer Scholarship Award.

Applications for both awards (available in the 2019 Volunteer Award Packet)...

You are invited to learn about KHA’s endorsed internet-based education management solution on August 8 at KHA Headquarters in Louisville.

careLearning is an internet-based education management solution. Its sole purpose is to develop and deliver a range of just-in-time training and education for health care providers and to provide the ability to manage and track employee, physician and non-employee records. careLearning is a nonprofit organization operated by more than 40 state hospital associations and the American Hospital Association.

Whether your hospital needs mandatory education, which includes a set of Health & Safety Compliance courses with complete recordkeeping and reporting functions; continuing education toward licensure; or various types of certification including self-paced, interactive and cost-effective continuing education anytime, on any computer with Internet access, careLearning offers something for every Kentucky hospital and their employees.

On August 8, careLearning...

Are you a Hospital Recruiter looking to network with other hospital recruiters around the state? If so, KAHCR invites you to their next meeting at KHA Headquarters in Louisville on April 9.

The Kentucky Association for Healthcare Recruitment (KAHCR), affiliated with the National Association for Healthcare Recruitment (NAHCR), is welcoming new members! The KAHCR chapter membership includes health care recruitment professionals across the State of Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The chapter's mission is to provide a forum for those professionals engaged in the recruitment of health care personnel for their institutions, through which programs may be developed for the promotion of Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

The group also provides educational programs and engages subject matter experts  on various topics. The chapter meets bi-monthly (see below for details on the next meeting).

If you would like to learn more, please attend this meeting as the organization's guest. RSVP to KAHCR President...

KHA will host a webinar on April 18 to cover compliance with OCR Section 1557 and the CMS Hospital CoPs.

This webinar will discuss a law that applies to all hospitals, including critical access hospitals and other health care providers such as physician offices and nursing homes. Have you posted the required two signs, amended the patient rights statement, trained your staff staff and implemented your policies yet? Have you selected an employee, such as a patient advocate, to address any grievances on discrimination?

View the brochure for program details. Online registration is available for your convenience.

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Perkins at KHA (sperkins@kyha.com).

Renowned author Sam Quinones will discuss "the true tale of America's opiate epidemic," as told in his award-winning book Dreamland, as the keynote speaker at the KHA Annual Convention, May 8-10 in Lexington!

In 1929, in the blue-collar city of Portsmouth, Ohio, a company built a swimming pool the size of a football field; named Dreamland, it became the vital center of the community. Now, addiction has devastated Portsmouth, as it has hundreds of small rural towns and suburbs across America—addiction like no other the country has ever faced. How that happened is the riveting story of Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic. Acclaimed journalist Sam Quinones weaves together two riveting tales of capitalism run amok whose unintentional collision has been a catastrophic opiate epidemic.

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The University of Louisville has developed two new programs, the Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) and Master of Science in Health Data Analytics (MSHDA), to support development of hospital and hospital system leaders and administrators. An information session for prospective students will be provided on Friday, March 29, at the School of Public Health and Information Sciences. Additional information about UofL health care management programs is available at http://louisville.edu/sphis/departments/hmss/academics-1/academics.

Details on the information session are available at http://louisville.edu/sphis/events/msha-mshda-info-session.

The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) responded to the comments submitted by KHA on proposed changes to the regulation governing hospital disproportionate share distributions, and they have agreed to revise the regulation in the most critical areas as recommended by KHA .

Specifically, and most importantly, the proposed rule would have denied a hospital from receiving a final DSH payment if that hospital failed to submit an updated DSH survey. KHA took issue with this proposal since there is no statutory authority to eliminate a DSH payment so long as the hospital has submitted a DSH survey. The only statutory penalty is a reduction of 20% in the amount of the final payment if the survey is submitted late. KHA also commented that resubmission of an original DSH survey would be burdensome if there were no changes. KHA is pleased that DMS agreed to amend the regulation to (1) delete its proposal to suspend or recoup a DSH payment if a DSH survey was not updated and (2) allow a hospital...

On April 11, KHA will host an Environment of Care and Life Safety Overview program including Behavioral Health Environment Risk Assessment Strategies. This one-day program will provide valuable information for those responsible for creating a hospital's Environment of Care and Life Safety programs and who must understand the Joint Commission survey methodology and recent changes to the standards. Information will be provided so attendees can implement a practical, continuously compliant program to achieve maximum performance while effectively preparing for unscheduled Joint Commission and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services surveys. Attendees will also receive guidance to understand and interpret the most serious deficiencies commonly found in surveys.

View the brochure...