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From the Office of Rural Health - Wisconsin Hospital Association

NEWS

Wisconsin Rural Critical Access Hospitals Best in Nation in Quality

Mary Kay Grasmick, 608-274-1820, 575-7516


MADISON (July 20, 2017) -----Wisconsin’s Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) were recognized as the best in the nation by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for outstanding quality performance. The ranking is based on participation and achievement on the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP). Wisconsin CAHS achieved the highest reporting rates and levels of improvement in the country over the past year. CAHs are hospitals with fewer than 25 beds that provide essential services in rural areas. There are 58 CAHs in Wisconsin.
According to HRSA, the 10 top-performing states are: Wisconsin, Maine, Utah, Minnesota, Illinois and Pennsylvania (tied), Michigan, Nebraska, Indiana and Massachusetts.
The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health (WI-ORH) provided leadership in encouraging hospitals to participate in the MBQIP program, and provided significant support for collecting and reporting this important data. This past year, the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) collaborated with WI-ORH to provide technical assistance to a group of CAHs in Wisconsin to utilize data to drive quality improvement in their hospitals and share best practices. WHA helped the CAHs improve their performance on four rural-relevant MBQIP quality measures related to providing complete information when a patient who requires a high level of care is transferred out of the emergency department of a rural hospital to an acute care hospital.
“Rural hospitals provide a safety net of care that reaches every corner of our state,” according to WHA President/CEO Eric Borgerding. “We are proud to partner with WI-ORH and work with our rural hospitals on projects that improve the quality of care they deliver every day to patients. We know rural hospitals support the physical well-being of the people living in that area, but they are also a critical asset to the economic health of the community. They are an essential part of our high-quality delivery system.”
Wisconsin is consistently ranked as one of the best states in the nation based on the quality of its health care.
“High quality care in Wisconsin’s rural communities is just as important as the urban settings,” according to WHA Chief Quality Officer Kelly Court. “This recognition is another demonstration of how fortunate we are in our state to have rural hospitals who are highly committed to measure, improve and achieve high quality.”
Kathryn Miller, manager of the rural hospitals and clinics programs at WI-ORH, who was instrumental in ensuring the success in this program, echoes Court’s sentiment.
“We are extremely proud of the hospitals' dedication toward reporting and quality improvement, and that WI-ORH was nationally recognized for our efforts,” Miller said. “It is a great accomplishment that 100 percent of Wisconsin’s CAHs are in compliance with the MBQIP program.”

​Work history
 
Martin Verhelst, CPA - staff accountant from 6/2005-12/2007
Wipfli - senior accountant from 1/2008-3/2014
Aspirus, Inc. - senior accountant & corporate insurance analyst from 3/2014-present
 
When did you join HFMA? What committees have you joined and positions have you held within HFMA?
 
I joined HFMA 2 years ago.  No committees or positions held.
 
What made you join HFMA?
 
I thought it would be a great way to stay apprised of the ever changing health-care environment and
network with peers.
 
What have you found to be the benefits of joining HMFA?
 
The conferences put on by HFMA have been valuable.  I've been able to share process/procedures from other facilities to those within Aspirus, in turn helping us improve aspects of our care delivery. Learning what has worked for others and working together to implement the best practices is extremely important and HFMA offers the platform for those in healthcare to work together.
 
What is your favorite event that the HFMA has held?
 
The fall conference - great presenters, dinner speakers, and it's in my favorite city at my favorite time of year. 
 
What piece of advice would you give to a new member of the HFMA?
 
Network - there are so many resources at your fingertips! You can learn so much from the experiences of others. 
 
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
 
I have a bachelor's degree in Accounting and Management/Human Resources from UW-Madison. I worked in both tax and audit during my public accounting days mostly focusing on nonprofit entities. I think it is important to support and give back to our local communities so I have been an active member in United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Susan G Komen Foundation. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my children, traveling, and golfing.

The chapter officers and directors were inducted in the HFMA annual tradition at the Blue Harbor resort in Sheboygan. All said "I do" and are committed to supporting the chapter in the next year. Please congratulate them and contact them with your needs and ideas to make the WI HFMA work for you.

Brad Wilkie, the HFMA Region 7 Executive installs the officers. Left to right: Steve Backus, Treasurer; Leslie Claas, VP Programs; Matthew Streeter, Secretary; David Cartier, President-Elect; Pam Ott, President. (Yes, Matt and David did coordinate their wardrobe for the evening.)

Left to right: Shawn Gretz, Immediate past President, (with the past President smile), Kathleen Olewinski, Director-at-Large, Ryan Holte, Southeastern District, Kirsten Wild, Southeastern District, Corina Schoenke, Southeastern District, John Bartell, Southern District, Julie Kressin, Eastern District. (apparently there were some gerrymandering tactics earlier in order to get all of these Southeastern District directors); Other directors for the new year not in picture: Tyler Hack, Northern District, Laurie Hurwitz, Western District, Jesse Sookochoff, Director at Large.

Donna Hutchinson received the lifetime achievement award for her contribution to the healthcare finance profession and her commitment to WI HFMA. Donna is a past president of the chapter and has now retired and resides in North Carolina.

In recognition of her accomplishments, she was given the choice of season tickets to the Green Bay Packers or free admission to WI HFMA events. Donna did not hesitate and opted for the HFMA option. Please wish Donna an enjoyable retirement.

Carmen Wolf, also a past president of the chapter, presented Donna with the award. Carmen and Donna have attended a combined 4,792 chapter events over the last 95 years. 

Outgoing President Shawn Gretz is presented with the presidential gavel in honor and thanks for his term as WI HFMA President. Newly elected President Pam Ott outlined her agenda for the year and promises relevant educational programs and great networking opportunities. She's also committed to no new taxes on the membership and has promised to veto any legislation that would keep you from attending HFMA events this year.