The OIG posted a video and an audio podcast by Lewis Morris, Chief Counsel to the Inspector General, about the role of health care boards in overseeing quality and compliance in their organizations.

Video and Podcast: A Toolkit for Health Care Boards

This video and audio podcast provides a “toolkit” of tips to help board members create a corporate culture focused on two goals: promoting quality of care and embracing compliance with the law.

Click on http://go.usa.gov/5no%20 to view this and other PCT video and audio presentations.

Bethann Kane, RN (right) accepts Individual Grand Prize

Jan Jensen, RN, CEO accepts Hospital Grand Prize with Bethann Kane, RN, Individual Grand Prize winner

Bethann Kane, RN won the Individual Grand Prize for the Nevada Rural Hospital Partners 2011 Wellness Incentive Program. Bethann joined the staff at William Bee Ririe Hospital (WBRH) in June 2010 as the facility’s Infection Control and Utilization Review Nurse. An avid runner and triathlete, she plans to run a marathon through Disneyland later this month. It is no surprise to anyone at William Bee Ririe Hospital that Bethann took home the grand prize.

Bethann competed against over 70 people in the 12 month competition, which was broken down into four quarterly contests:  The first quarter was a fitness initiative, where contestants earned points by working out for a minimum of 30 minutes per day, for every day of the month. (Bethann logged 85 workouts for the quarter and finished first at WBRH.) Her outstanding commitment to wellness continued in the second quarter nutrition contest, when she took second place at WBRH with 600 points for eating the recommended servings of fruits and veggies each day. Participation across the network perked up for the third quarter’s “destination fitness” contest, where Bethann and her walking partner, Rocky Jones tied with Linda McCintosh to earn 625 points for the quarter by walking over 600 miles. Way to go ladies!

There weren’t many competitors left standing by the fourth quarter, when contestants at four hospitals earned points for weight loss/maintenance, blood pressure checks and cholesterol screenings. Yet again, Bethann and Rocky Jones each finished the quarter with 608 points, second only to Traci Gust, who finished with 650 points.

Overall, Bethann finished first across the network with a total of 2358 points for the year, a stellar accomplishment that demonstrates her commitment to wellness each and every day. Rocky Jones finished second overall, with 2283 points and Tom Ard (South Lyon Medical Center) came in third with 1955 points. Congratulations, Bethann, and thank you for the example you set for all of us!

Nevada Rural Hospital Partners Management Services Inc. (NRHPMS) serves as a group health insurance agent for member hospitals.  In 2010, the hospitals participating in NRHPMS’s group program were quoted a 50% increase for their 2011 health insurance premiums. Ever increasing health insurance premiums have prompted hospitals to look for ways to keep employees healthy and to reduce health insurance expenses for both the hospital and its employees. Together with seven member hospitals, NRHPMS sponsored a yearlong incentive program to promote wellness in 2011.

NRHP Members 

HealthInsight News Release

Battle Mountain General Hospital was awarded the RHITND grant, a 3 year project subcontracted to NRHP to assist 9 member hospitals adopt, implement and achive meaningful use of electronic health records.

Recognizing that project management and technical support through training and education are keystones to the adoption of electronic health records (EHR) and Meaningful Use in rural healthcare settings, the applicant network is seeking grant funds that will permit these nine facilities to implement EHR which will give rural clinicians and hospitals instant access to patient data.

The goals of the work plan are to: support adoption and development of Electronic Health Information in all nine facilities and to expand the Health Information Infrastructure to support EHR and other Health Information Technology in all 14 NRHP member hospitals. The timeline is structured so that the nine facilities will meet Meaningful Use by September 2014, and will have increased broadband and archiving access as a result of this grant initiative.