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 Alliant Management Services!

Alliant has specialized in rural hospital management since 1978. While many changes have occurred in health care over the years, Alliant’s commitment to provide expertise exclusively to rural markets remains unchanged.

For more information, visit Alliant's website at https://alliantmanagement.com/.

To become a sponsor, contact Claire Arant...

KHA submitted comments on proposed changes to 907 KAR 3:170 establishing payment rules for Medicaid coverage of telehealth services. Due to a filing error, 907 KAR 3:170 was withdrawn. As a result of this error, the Statement of Consideration of received comments will not be prepared or filed.

This administrative regulation will be refiled before July 1, 2019. DMS has shared that that several parts of the administrative regulation will be changed from the previous version, some reflecting comments received from KHA and members.

KHA is pleased with these anticipated improvements and will keep the membership updated.

If you have any questions, contact Elizabeth G. Cobb, MPH at KHA (ecobb@kyha.com).

Registration is now open for the Third Annual Kentucky Telehealth Summit, May 23 at the Knicely Conference Center at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green.

The agenda includes:

Technology-assisted Remote Patient Monitoring of chronically ill patients in their home Guidelines to starting a clinical telehealth Service Project ECHO in Kentucky Telehealth in Primary Care Telehealth in behavioral health And much more Registration information...

Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed increasing the Medicare Wage Index for low-wage index hospitals, with the goal of supporting quality health care in rural areas. KHA is analyzing the 600+ page rule and will be filing comments, but is encouraged by the proposed changes intended to reduce the disparities between low and high wage index areas which has been a key issue for Kentucky’s hospitals advocated by KHA. (See KHA's comments on the disparity on page 14 of the Association's Federal Priorities).

According to CMS Administrator Seema Verma, "One in five Americans are living in rural areas and the hospitals that serve them are the backbone of our nation's health care system. Rural Americans face many obstacles as the result of our fragmented health care system, including living in communities with disproportionally higher poverty rates, more chronic conditions and more uninsured or underinsured individuals."

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KHA's mobile app is a great resource for Convention and beyond! The app not only provides all the details, maps, schedules and presentations for Convention, but also includes information members can use year round! There will not be USB drives of presentations this year. All presentations will be on the app or the KHA Convention website, www.khaconference.com.

The app includes:

Hospital Directory; KHA Staff Directory; Events Calendar; Advocacy Information; Sponsors; and More. If you downloaded the Convention app last year, you can simply update the app on your mobile device. Sometimes after an app update, rebooting your device can be helpful.

For...

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...