May 2014
Vol. 4 No. 4
In This Issue
HCWP's Annual Labor Update
OSHA Update
Allied Member Meeting
Survey Update
Regional Health Literacy Program
CEO Assistants Forum
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Past Committee Meetings
New Allied Members
Programs and Events of Interest
Sponsors:
Hospital Council's Annual Labor Update Program
Trends in labor unions, updates on the National Labor Relations Board, the new election rule and other current
labor-related topics are the focus of Hospital Council's Annual Labor Update Program. The program will be held
on Friday, May 16, 2014 at Hospital Council's Conference Center beginning with registration at 8:30 a.m. and
concluding by 2:30 p.m.
Chris Cimino, president and chief executive officer of Chessboard Consulting in Chicago, will open the program
with an overview of current national, state and local labor trends. He will also discuss related topics such as
nurse-staffing ratios and other issues.
Following Chris' presentation, attorneys Ron Andrykovitch and Terrence Murphy will provide an update on the
National Labor Relations Board and the new election rule, among other topics. Ron is a director with Cohen &
Grigsby and Terry is a shareholder with Littler Mendelson.
The program concludes with a presentation on negotiations related to compensation and benefits, including
health and pension benefits, provided by Elliot Dinkin, president and chief executive officer of Cowden
Associates, Inc.
The program includes time for discussion, questions and networking. The program is designed for vice presidents
of Human Resources, Human Resources directors and managers, chief operating officers, chief nursing officers
Page 1 of 5
and nurse managers, chief financial officers, legal counsel and other members of the C-suite team engaged in
employee relations.
The program is offered to Hospital Council members for $40 and non-members for $55. This includes a
continental breakfast and a networking lunch. For the full agenda and registration form click here.
For more information contact Pat Raffaele.
OSHA Update
Several experts from the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) will provide an in-person update
to Hospital Council members on Thursday, May 29, 2014. The program will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30
a.m. at Hospital Council's Conference Center.
The program will begin with an overview of the National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Nursing and Resident Care
and an Overview of OSHA Web Resources-Worker Safety in Hospitals-Caring for our Care Givers. The program
will also cover bloodborne pathogens, workplace violence and an overview of the changes to the HazCom
Standard. The speakers are industrial hygienists/compliance officers from OSHA.
Hospital Council is offering this program to members free of charge; however, registration is required. To register
contact Monica Palmer. For more information about the program contact Jane Montgomery.
Allied Member Meeting
Hospital Council President A. J. Harper will provide an update on national, state and local trends at Hospital
Council's Allied Member meeting on May 15, 2014. Allied Members are invited to participate in the meeting at
Hospital Council's Conference Center. The meeting will begin with networking from 9:30 a.m. until 10 a. m. The
meeting will be held from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and will conclude with a networking lunch.
The meeting is provided as a benefit to Allied Members and there is no fee to attend; however, registration is
required. Allied Members can register to attend the meeting by contacting Monica Palmer. For more information
about the meeting or Allied Membership contact Pat Raffaele.
Special Campaign for Jack C. Robinette Fund
As a tribute to Jack C. Robinette, Hospital Council is conducting a special campaign to raise money to rename
Hospital Council's Conference Center to the Jack C. Robinette Conference Center and to replenish the Jack C.
Robinette Fund. The Jack C. Robinette Fund will be used for scholarships for high school students pursuing
higher education to enter a health profession and for other community initiatives.
Jack C. Robinette served as president of Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania for 22 years and was a true
"visionary." Jack passed away on November 17, 2013, leaving behind a legacy and his vision for Hospital Council
and the region's providers. This special campaign will conclude early this summer. Both individuals and
organizations can contribute to the Jack C. Robinette Fund. All donors will be invited to a special reception in
honor of Jack and donors in specific categories will be recognized in the Conference Center. Information on the
campaign was sent to members and friends of Hospital Council in April.
For more information contact Pat Raffaele.
Survey Update
Hospital Council is collecting data for both the next Flash Survey and the Benchmark Salary Survey. Members
are asked to submit data for the 3rd Quarter 2014 Flash Survey no later than May 14. For those members
participating in the Benchmark Salary Survey, the deadline to submit data is May 12, 2014. To submit data or for
questions about for both the Flash Survey and the Benchmark Salary Survey, contact Carmela Breslin.
Page 2 of 5
Regional Health Literacy Program
Hospital Council members are invited to participate in a program on health literacy on June 5, 2014 at Hospital
Council's Conference Center. The program is presented by the Regional Health Literacy Council in partnership
with the Center for Plain Language. Karen Baker, senior vice president for Consumer Experience at Healthwise
will facilitate the program which will use examples from participants to highlight best practices in use of plain
language and methods to enhance communications with consumers. Participants will also learn how plain
language is critical in creating accurate, accessible and actionable website content, brochures and patient
education materials. Hospital Council is a founding member of the Regional Health Literacy Coalition. For more
information visit www.ahealthyunderstanding.org or contact Kevin Progar, project manager for the Regional
Health Literacy Council.
CEO Assistants Forum
Assistants to Hospital Council member chief executive officers and Board Members are invited to participate in
Hospital Council's annual CEO Assistants Forum. This year's Forum will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014
from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hospital Council's Conference Center. Dee Morgillo, M.ED., MT (ASCP), vice
president of Inquisit, will provide a presentation, It's Not You, It's Me! Effective Communication. Inquisit is the
education entity of Amerinet. A. J. Harper, president of Hospital Council, will provide an update to participants.
The meeting will conclude with a roundtable discussion and a networking lunch. For more information contact
Judy Harrison.
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Risk/Quality Committee
Healthcare water management will be one of the key topics of discussion at Hospital Council's Risk/Quality
Committee meeting on May 22, 2014. The meeting will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. and conclude with a
networking lunch at noon. Tony Dallmier, Ph.D., regional manager/principal for Phigenics, will provide a
presentation on proactive water safety to control pathogens such as Legionella. The presentation will provide an
overview of hazard control and critical control point (HCACCP) water management program. Hospitals such as
Mayo Clinic and the Veteran's Administration utilize HCACCP. In addition, James Wolfe and Daniel Bishop from
Qualaris will provide a presentation and demonstration on an audit tool. The meeting will conclude with a
roundtable discussion that will cover several topics including the annual work plan by the Office of Inspector
General, outpatient core measures, surveys and changes to the Quality Blue program. For more information
contact Jane Montgomery.
Managed Care Committee
The Managed Care Committee will meet on June 4, 2014 at Hospital Council's Conference Center. Details of the
meeting and a registration form will be available in the near future. For more information contact Jane
Montgomery.
Fund Development Committee
Gary Weinstein, president and chief executive officer of Washington Health System and chairman of Hospital
Council's Board of Directors, will be the keynote speaker at Hospital Council's Fund Development Committee
meeting on June 13, 2014. He will provide the Committee with a presentation and lead a discussion on, Health
Reform: The Need for Philanthropy Now More Than Ever. The meeting will conclude with a roundtable discussion
and networking lunch. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 12:30 p.m.. For more information
contact Pat Raffaele.
Chief Nursing Officers Committee
Hospital Council's Chief Nursing Officers Committee will meet beginning at 9:30 a.m. on June 13, 2014. More
agenda information and a registration form will be sent to Committee members in the near future. For more
information contact Jane Montgomery.
Page 3 of 5
Human Resources Committee
Just Culture will be the focus of Hospital Council's June 19th HR Committee meeting. Ellen J. McDermott an
adviser with the firm Outcome Engenuity will discuss how Just Culture works in a healthcare organization as well
as how to manage conflicting interests in a Just Culture organization. Ellen will join the meeting via live webinar.
The Committee will also hold a roundtable discussion. Details and a registration form will be sent to Committee
members in the near future. For more information contact Pat Raffaele.
Past Committee Meetings
Healthcare Information Management Committee
The delay of implementation of ICD-10 was one of the primary topics at Hospital Council's April 16th Healthcare
Information Management Committee meeting. Other topics included medical assistance managed care
organizations converting to APR-DRGs, A4649 Audits, and Hospital Council's first quarter fiscal year 2014 Flash
Survey. For more information contact Jane Montgomery or Denis Lukes.
Accounts Receivable Committee
Hospital Council's Accounts Receivable Committee met on April 24, 2014 at Hospital Council's Conference
Center. A key topic of discussion was effective collection rates for patients on one of the new health plans as well
as other issues related to the new health plans offered on the health exchange. In addition, the Committee
discussed Medical Assistance Modernization as well as heard updates from Novitas Solutions and Highmark. The
Committee also held a roundtable discussion. For more information contact Denis Lukes.
Compliance Committee
On May 1, the Compliance Committee heard a federal and state legislative update from Tim Ohrum, vice
president of grassroots advocacy for the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP). His
presentation was followed by a presentation and discussion led by Mike Cassidy, an attorney with the firm Tucker
Arensberg, on Stark regulations and compliance issues related to physicians. The meeting started as a joint
meeting with the Physician Practice Administrators Committee. Following the two presentations, the Committee
heard an update on the October 10th Healthcare Compliance Association's (HCCA) regional conference. Several
Committee members also provided highlights from the national HCCA Conference which was held in April. The
Committee also held a Roundtable Discussion. Discussion topics included audits and the A4649 audits. For more
information contact Pat Raffaele.
Physician Practice Administrator Committee
The Physician Practice Administrator Committee met on May 1 at Hospital Council's Conference Center. The
Committee joined the Compliance Committee for the legislative update provided by Tim Ohrum of HAP and the
Stark and the physician-compliance update provided by Mike Cassidy of Tucker Arensberg. Following the
presentations, the Committee held a Roundtable Discussion. For more information contact Jane Montgomery.
Chief Financial Officers Committee
Hospital Council's Chief Financial Officers Committee met on May 2 at Hospital Council's Conference Center. The
Committee focused on several issues including the Medicare Wage Index, revenue cycle, the federal budget and
Medicare proposed reimbursement levels and Medical Assistance Modernization. The Committee also had an
update from HAP and heard an overview of the Flash Survey results to date. The meeting concluded with a
roundtable discussion on several topics including the Two Midnight Rule and ICD-10 coding. For more information
contact Denis Lukes.
New Allied Members
Hospital Council welcomes the new Allied Members listed below:
Automated Security Alert
For more than 25 years, Automated Security Alert has been a leading provider of personal emergency response,
medication management, telehealth technology and monitoring services to the region's health care community
and their clients. The company's mission is to provide affordable solutions that enable individuals to transition to
and remain safely at home. For more information visit www.automatedsecurityalert.com or contact Mark
Drummey at mdrummey@automatedsecurityalert.com director of Medication Management Solutions.
Page 4 of 5
Connect America
Connect America provides standard, cellular and mobile global positioning services (GPS) personal emergency
response devices as well as the latest technology in fall detection, medication dispensing and compliance. Falls
and medication non-adherence are the leading causes of hospital readmissions. For more information visit
www.medalert.net or contact Apryl Garrett at apryl@connectamerica.com.
Upcoming Programs and Events of Interest
Applications Now Being Accepted for The Fine Awards
This year's application focus for The Fine Awards is Elevating and Disseminating Best Practices in Infection
Control or Pain Management. The awards are sponsored by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and The Fine
Foundation. The submission deadline for the awards is June 9, 2014. The three award levels are as follows: the
Gold Award is $25,000 divided equally and paid directly to Team Members listed in the application and $10,000 is
given to the Corresponding Organization listed in the application. The Silver Award is $15,000 divided equally and
paid directly to Team Members and $8,000 to the Corresponding Organization. The Bronze Award is $10,000
divided equally and paid directly to Team Members and $6,000 is given to the Corresponding Organization.
Applications are reviewed by a panel of distinguished thought leaders and awards are presented at an event in
Pittsburgh in November. Acute and long-term care organizations are encouraged to apply. For more information
and an application visit www.jhf.org.
All Together Better Health Conference
All Together Better Health is the leading global interprofessional practice and education conference. This year's
conference will be held in Pittsburgh at the University of Pittsburgh from June 6th through June 8th. Previous
conferences were held in Kobe, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Stockholm, Sweden; London, England and Vancouver,
British Columbia. The conference will focus on improving health care and population health while lowering costs.
Keynote speakers include Sir David Nicholson, KCB, CBE, chief executive officer of NHS, England; Mark A.
Warner, MD, executive dean of Education for the Mayo Clinic; and Steven D. Shapiro, MD, chief medical and
scientific officer and president of the Physician Services Division of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
The conference also has more than 500 individual research presentations. For more information visit the
Conference website at www.atbh7.pitt.edu.
Western Pennsylvania HIMSS Conference
The western Pennsylvania chapter of the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) will hold
its Healthcare 2020:The Technology Vision: Part II on June 6, 2014 from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Double Tree
Hotel in Pittsburgh. Featured keynote speakers include Kenneth R. Jennings, Ph.D., head of Population Health
Solutions at Accretive Health; Alexandra Goss, executive director of the Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership
Authority; and Brett E. Tursko, Ph.D.,, MBA, assistant professor, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and editor-inchief of the International Journal of Innovation Science. For more information visit www.wphimss.org.
Western Pennsylvania ACHE Panel Event
The western Pennsylvania chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) will hold its Panel
Event on June 20, 2014 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Grove City Medical Center in Grove City, Pennsylvania.
Topics include Patient Centered Care and Listening to Employers: How Health Systems Can Support Population
Health Management. For more information visit westpa.ache.org.
Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania is a strategic partner with health care providers and
affiliated organizations, enabling them to realize their mission while maintaining their status as economically
viable entities.
Visit: http://www.hcwp.org
Call: 1-800-704-8434
Page 5 of 5