/ en Sat, 26 Apr 2025 03:58:58 -0500 Tue, 08 Apr 25 09:34:58 -0500 /bhmb/issue-brief Tue, 08 Apr 2025 09:34:58 -0500 Toolkits/Methodology /bhmb/discussion-guide Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:30:52 -0600 Toolkits/Methodology /node/694261 <p>The tool was initially conceptualized to meet the needs of epidemiologists and data analysts, but through its development over the past few years, the team expanded the guide to be applicable to anyone who is working in a program that collects data, from large datasets to small Excel spreadsheets.</p> Wed, 10 Jul 2024 08:55:06 -0500 Toolkits/Methodology /node/694260 <p>This toolkit includes interventions, policies, and programs identified through a landscape scan and interviews that stakeholders can deploy to achieve racially and ethnically equitable health systems.</p> Wed, 10 Jul 2024 08:52:41 -0500 Toolkits/Methodology /node/694233 <p>This toolkit presents options for residency program directors to reinforce GME recruitment more consistently with regards to diversity. We direct our focus towards providing options and steps during the GME recruitment process, which can be modified and made available to UME Deans and Student Affairs representatives for transparency. Indeed, the toolkit can benefit from innovations developed during the COVID19 pandemic, such as widely implemented and piloted telecommunication. This toolkit aims to increase diversity in the GME community and addresses 2 phases of the recruitment process.</p> Tue, 09 Jul 2024 10:56:37 -0500 Toolkits/Methodology /toolkitsmethodology/2024-06-18-quest-quality-prize-digital-engagement-toolkit <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p class="lead-description">The AHA Quest for Quality Prize celebrates hospitals and health systems that are committed to providing exceptional quality, safe and patient- and family-centered care. Honorees’ best practices provide models and inspiration for the field. Use the sample tweets and social media images to reach and encourage hospitals and health systems to apply for the 2025 Prize. Applications are due Sept. 13.</p> p.lead-description { color: #63666A; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 21px; } <div class="row"><div class="col-md-10 col-md-offset-1 spacer center_callout_3" id="SocialPosts"> #SocialPosts .rowEqual_768>[class*='col-'] { -ms-flex: 1; /* IE 10 */ /*flex: auto;*/ width: calc((100% / 1) - 2px) /*Adjust % for the number per row, will override the bootstrap - Also needed for Safari*/ ; margin-bottom: 25px } @media (max-width: 768px){ #SocialPosts .rowEqual_768>[class*='col-'] { -ms-flex: 1; /* IE 10 */ /*flex: auto;*/ width: calc((100% / 1) - 2px) /*Adjust % for the number per row, will override the bootstrap - Also needed for Safari*/ ; margin-bottom: 25px } } .center_callout_3 { background-color: #f6f6f6; text-align: center; margin-top:50px; margin-bottom: 25px; } .center_callout_3 .center_callout_3_holder { margin-bottom: 25px; } .center_callout_3 h4 { color: #002855; line-height: 1.2em; font-size: 30px; margin: 10px 0 30px 0; } /*.center_callout_3 h3 { margin: 25px 0 0 0; color: #555; font-size: .7em; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 3px; }*/ .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink { border: solid 3px #307fe2; display: block; margin: 15px 0 0 0; overflow: hidden; color: #002855; background-color: white; /*! background-color: white; */ border: solid 3px #f6f6f6; display: block; transition: .2s; color: #307fe2; height: 100%; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink.center_callout_3_nolink:hover { border: solid 3px #307fe2; color: #555; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink.center_callout_3_nolink a { color: #002855; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink.center_callout_3_nolink:hover p a { color: #307fe2; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink.center_callout_3_nolink p a, .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink.center_callout_3_nolink p a:hover, .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink.center_callout_3_nolink:hover h2 a { color: #9d2235; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink:hover img { opacity: .6; transform: scale(1.1); transition: 3s; } .center_callout_3 .center_callout_3_icon { width: 70%; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink h2 { font-size: 1.2em; padding: 0 10px; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink h2.center_callout_3_h_1 { color: #69b3e7; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink h2.center_callout_3_h_2 { color: #002855; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink h2.center_callout_3_h_3 { color: #69b3e7; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink h2:hover { transition: .2s; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink p { line-height: 1.6em; padding: 0 10px 15px 10px; color: #333; text-align: left; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink p { font-size: 16px; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink ul { line-height: 1.6em; color: #333; text-align: left; } .center_callout_3 ul { list-style: none; /* Remove default bullets */ padding-left: 30px; margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding-right: 15px; } .center_callout_3 ul li { margin-bottom: 7px; line-height: 1.5em; padding-left: 23px; text-indent: -23px; font-size: 16px; } .center_callout_3 ul li::before { content: " "; font-size: 1em; margin-right: 5px; display: inline-block; height: 12px; background-color: #69b3e7; width: 12px; position: relative; top: 0px; } @media (max-width: 991px) and (min-width:568px) { .center_callout_3 center_callout_3_ul { width: 75%; margin: auto; } .HashTag{ font-weight:700; } .center_callout_3 div.center_callout_3_nolink.center_callout_3_nolink a.btn { color: #fff; } <div class="row"><div class="col-md-12"><h2>Sample Social Media Posts</h2> </p> --> xxxxxxxx4444 </h4> --> xxxx3333 </h3> --></div></div><div class="row"><div class="col-md-12"><div class="row rowEqual_768"><div class="col-md-4 center_callout_3_holder"><div class="center_callout_3_nolink" id="WaystoCelebrate"> After June 21 </h5> --><ul><li>Ready to celebrate your patient safety achievements? The AHA Quest for Quality Prize application has moved online for a better, streamlined user experience. Applications are due Sept. 13. Learn more and access the 2025 application at <a href="/about/awards/quest-for-quality">/about/awards/quest-for-quality</a></li><li>The 2025 AHA Quest for Quality Prize application is now available online, and applications are due Sept. 13. Click to read about past honorees and request access to the application. <a href="/about/awards/quest-for-quality">/about/awards/quest-for-quality</a></li><li>Don’t miss the application deadline for the 2025 AHA Quest for Quality Prize! Apply by Sept. 13 for an opportunity to share your progress on advancing patient safety, reducing disparities and protecting your workforce. Learn more, read stories from past honorees and request access to the streamlined, web-based application here: <a href="/about/awards/quest-for-quality">/about/awards/quest-for-quality</a></li><li>Are you leading the way in patient safety, addressing disparities and developing innovative models of care? Apply for the 2025 AHA Quest for Quality Prize to share your story and advance health care for all. Learn more or request access to the application. <a href="/about/awards/quest-for-quality">/about/awards/quest-for-quality</a></li></ul><div><a class="btn btn-primary" href="#">Copy Text</a></div> function CopyToClipboard2(WaystoCelebrate) { var r = document.createRange(); r.selectNode(document.getElementById(WaystoCelebrate)); window.getSelection().removeAllRanges(); window.getSelection().addRange(r); document.execCommand('copy'); window.getSelection().removeAllRanges(); } </div></div></div></div></div></div></div> .y-hr3 { clear: both; } <div class="row y-hr3"><div class="col-md-3"> </div><div class="col-md-6"> </div><div class="col-md-3"> </div></div><div class="row center_body" id="SocialGraphics"><h2 class="text-align-center">Social Media Graphics</h2> .MediaDropWrapperzz a { /*float: left;*/ font-size: 14px; color: green; text-align: center; padding: 3px 5px; text-decoration: none; text-align:center; } .MediaDropWrapper h3 { text-align:center; font-size:18px; } .MediaDropWrapper img { margin: auto; display: block; } .MediaDropSection { /*float: left;*/ overflow: hidden; text-align:center; margin-top:10px; } .MediaDropSection-content { display: none; position: absolute; background-color: #f9f9f9; /*width:50%;*/ min-width: 200px; /*box-shadow: 0px 8px 16px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);*/ z-index: 1; padding-top:10px; left: calc((100% / 2) - 100px); } .MediaDropSection-content a { float: none; color: black; padding: 3px 5px; text-decoration: none; display: block; text-align: center; } .MediaDropSection-content a:hover { background-color: #ddd; } .show { display: block; } @media (min-width: 991px) { #SocialGraphics .rowEqual_768 { display: -webkit-box; display: -webkit-flex; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; } #SocialGraphics .rowEqual_768>[class*='col-'] { -ms-flex: 1; /* IE 10 */ /*flex: auto;*/ width: calc((100% / 1) - 2px) /*Safari Fix*/; } } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 990px) { #SocialGraphics .rowEqual_768 { display: -webkit-box; display: -webkit-flex; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; } #SocialGraphics .rowEqual_768>[class*='col-'] { -ms-flex: 1; /* IE 10 */ flex: auto; width: calc((100% / 1) - 2px) /*Safari Fix*/; } } @media (max-width: 990px) { .MediaDropSection-content{ position:relative; width:50%; margin:auto } .MediaDropSection-content a{ text-align:center } } <div class="row rowEqual_768"><div class="col-md-2 MediaDropWrapper"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-06/at-quest-for-quality-2025-X-1600x900.jpg" alt="2025 Quest for Quality Prize. Apply by September 13." width="100%" height="100%"><div class="MediaDropSection"><p>Select Download</p><div class="MediaDropSection-content" id="myMediaDropSection1"><a href="/sites/default/files/2024-06/quest-for-quality-2025-630x320.jpg" target="_blank" title="Email Banner" download="quest-for-quality-2025-630x320.jpg">Email Banner</a> <a href="/sites/default/files/2024-06/at-quest-for-quality-2025-1800x1800.jpg" target="_blank" title="Facebook" download="at-quest-for-quality-2025-1800x1800.jpg">Facebook</a> <a href="/sites/default/files/2024-06/at-quest-for-quality-2025-fb-li-1200x630.jpg" target="_blank" title="LinkedIn" download="at-quest-for-quality-2025-fb-li-1200x630.jpg">LinkedIn </a><a href="/sites/default/files/2024-06/at-quest-for-quality-2025-X-1600x900.jpg" target="_blank" title="Twitter" download="at-quest-for-quality-2025-X-1600x900.jpg">Twitter/X</a> <a href="/sites/default/files/2024-06/at-quest-for-quality-promo-date-email-sig.jpg" target="_blank" title="Logo" download="at-quest-for-quality-promo-date-email-sig.jpg">Q4Q logo</a> <a href="/sites/default/files/2024-06/at-quest-for-quality-promo-date-email-sig-reverse.jpg" target="_blank" title="Reverse Logo" download="at-quest-for-quality-promo-date-email-sig-reverse.jpg">Q4Q reverse logo</a> <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/06/2025-Quest-for-Quality-Digital-Toolkit.zip" target="_blank" title="All Images" download="2025-Quest-for-Quality-Digital-Toolkit.zip"><strong>All Images</strong></a></div></div> /* Shows the content */ function myFunction1() { document.getElementById("myMediaDropSection1").classList.toggle("show"); } </div></div></div></div><div class="col-md-4"><img class="hidden-xs pull-left" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Q4Q_nohpoe.jpg" data-entity-uuid="1be2847b-ae05-483e-a341-c727c7caa148" data-entity-type="file" alt="Quest for Quality Prize logo" width="370" height="241" s><div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="https://americanhospital.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0BAniqlPbo6dmV8" target="_blank" title="Click here to request a ���������� Association Qualtric link to the 2025 Question for Quality prize application.">Request a 2025 Quest for Quality Prize application link</a></div><hr><div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="https://sponsors.aha.org/HFC-Sponsor-Quest-for-Quality-2023.html" target="_blank" title="Quest for Quality Award Exclusive Sponsorship">Sponsorship Opportunity<em><i class="fa fa-external-link fa-fw"><span class="sr-only"><sup>this is an external link</sup></span></i></em></a></div><hr><div class="panel"><h3>Join Our Mailing List</h3><p>For updates on the AHA Quest for Quality Prize and to be notified when the new application goes live, please join our mailing list.</p> MktoForms2.loadForm("//sponsors.aha.org", "710-ZLL-651", 2976);</div></div></div></div> Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:56:43 -0500 Toolkits/Methodology /toolkitsmethodology/fact-sheet-price-estimator-tools <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><h2><span><em>The Issue</em></span></h2><p>Hospitals and health systems understand the importance of sharing meaningful information that patients can use to make the best decisions for themselves and their families, including information on the cost of care. Many organizations have purchased or developed tools to assist patients in understanding the cost for their care, with a particular focus on expected out-ofpocket costs. The capability and adoption of these tools has grown rapidly over the last several years, in part due to hospitals’ abilities to use these tools to fulfill one of the Hospital Price Transparency Rule provisions. Unfortunately, some policymakers want to eliminate the use of price estimator tools to meet the shoppable services requirement.</p><h2><span><em>AHA Position</em></span></h2><p><strong>Price estimator tools are currently patients’ best and most consumer-friendly source of information. </strong>They are more user-friendly than hospitals’ or insurers’ machine-readable files, including those which list a hospital’s shoppable services, as these can be cumbersome to navigate and will not reflect the different policies that insurers may apply to determine the final price. In addition, price estimator tools offer consumers an estimate of their out-of-pocket costs based on their insurance benefit design, such as cost-sharing requirements and prior utilization, as well as the patient’s annual deductible. This important feature is not available from a shoppable services spreadsheet. Eliminating the use of price estimator tools as a method to meet the shoppable services requirement of the Hospital Price Transparency Rule would therefore reduce price transparency for patients.</p><h2><span><em>Background</em></span></h2><p>Hospitals and health systems traditionally have relied on financial advisors — whether in person or over the phone — to help patients with inquiries about what they may pay for care. However, in recent years many hospitals and health systems also have chosen to invest in online price estimator tools to assist patients in accessing this information for themselves. The growth in the use of these tools reflects changing patient expectations, improvements in technology and the ability to use these tools to meet one of the federal price transparency requirements. The widespread adoption of price estimator tools is a positive outcome for patients, as these tools are an efficient and effective way for patients to access information on their expected costs prior to care. The tools typically provide patients with estimates of both the total cost of care and the patient’s out-of-pocket costs and are usually based on real prior cases to predict the most likely course of care. They also apply the individual’s specific health insurance coverage details (e.g., copay, coinsurance, and deductible amounts).</p><p>Despite the helpful information provided by these tools, some policymakers have tried to eliminate them as a way for hospitals to adhere to the Hospital Price Transparency Rule. This could pose challenges for patients who would have to instead review a spreadsheet of shoppable services to determine their cost obligations. Insurers typically pay for a bundle of services rather than the combined total of negotiated rates for individual items or services within an episode of care. Hence, patients cannot simply add up the negotiated rates for a set of items and services using the shoppable services files. They also would need to contact their insurance company to understand the rules the insurer applies to these services, as well as learn their cost-sharing obligations and where they are in their annual out-of-pocket spending. Any effort to move away from price estimator tools would do a disservice to patients, including by setting back the progress made to develop meaningful price transparency options.</p><p><strong>More information on how hospitals and health systems use price estimator tools is available on AHA’s </strong><a href="/2020-10-27-patient-cost-estimator-toolkit" target="_blank" title="AHA website "><strong>website</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p></div><div class="col-md-4"><div><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2024/01/price-estimator-tools-fact-sheet.pdf">Download the Fact Sheet PDF</a></div><p> </p><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/01/price-estimator-tools-fact-sheet.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-01/cover-price-estimator-tools-%20fact-sheet.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file"></a></p></div></div></div> Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:28:25 -0600 Toolkits/Methodology <div class="col-md-10"> <h3><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/09/readmissions-penalty-calculator-fy-2023-inpatient-final-rule_1.xlsx" target="_blank" title="Download the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Calculator Excel File.">Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program</a></h3> <h3><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/09/medicare-operating-dsh-calculator-fy-2023-inpatient-pps-final-rule.xlsx" target="_blank" title="Download the Disproportionate Share Hospital Adjustment Calculator Excel File.">Disproportionate Share Hospital Adjustment</a></h3> <h3> </h3> </div> Tue, 06 Sep 2022 11:41:08 -0500 Toolkits/Methodology /toolkitsmethodology/2022-06-22-strengthening-health-care-workforce-digital-toolkit <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-8"> <h2>General Messaging</h2> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Health%20care%20workers%20show%20up%20when%20we%20need%20them%20the%20most.%20We%20must%20chart%20a%20path%20forward%20so%20the%20health%20care%20workforce%20has%20the%20support%20they%20need.%20The%20%23NowNearandFar%20resource%20provides%20guidance%20for%20leaders%20to%20support%20their%20health%20care%20workforce.%20http%3A//ow.ly/XqjV50JEYvb">Health care workers show up when we need them the most. We must chart a path forward so the health care workforce has the support they need. The #NowNearandFar resource provides guidance for leaders to support their health care workforce. http://ow.ly/XqjV50JEYvb</a></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The%20health%20care%20workforce%20is%20the%20most%20important%20resource%20to%20hospitals%20and%20health%20systems.%20The%20%23NowNearandFar%20framework%20provides%20hospitals%20with%20the%20resources%20they%20need%20to%20invest%20in%20their%20health%20care%20workforce.%20http%3A//ow.ly/mg3650JEYzA">The health care workforce is the most important resource to hospitals and health systems. The #NowNearandFar framework provides hospitals with the resources they need to invest in their health care workforce. http://ow.ly/mg3650JEYzA</a></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=COVID-19%20has%20taken%20a%20heavy%20toll%20on%20the%20workforce.%20Health%20care%20workers%20are%20suffering%20from%20stress,%20trauma,%20burnout,%20and%20behavioral%20health%20challenges.%20The%20%23NowNearandFar%20compendium%20helps%20hospitals%20address%20the%20challenges%20that%20health%20care%20workers%20are%20facing.%20http%3A//ow.ly/NVvM50JEYIt%0A%0A">COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on the workforce. Health care workers are suffering from stress, trauma, burnout, and behavioral health challenges. The #NowNearandFar compendium helps hospitals address the challenges that health care workers are facing. http://ow.ly/NVvM50JEYIt</a></p> <h2>Supporting the Team | Burnout</h2> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Burnout%20is%20not%20new%20for%20health%20care%20workers,%20but%20COVID-19%20has%20pushed%20them%20to%20their%20limits.%20When%20clinicians%20are%20fatigued,%20it%20puts%20a%20strain%20on%20the%20care%20system.%20It%20is%20imperative%20to%20help%20combat%20burnout%20so%20care%20teams%20%23NowNearandFar%20can%20continue%20providing%20care.%20http%3A//ow.ly/T7FG50JEZ3P">Burnout is not new for health care workers, but COVID-19 has pushed them to their limits. When clinicians are fatigued, it puts a strain on the care system. It is imperative to help combat burnout so care teams #NowNearandFar can continue providing care. http://ow.ly/T7FG50JEZ3P</a></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Health care workers are facing burnout, unlike any other profession. When clinicians are fatigued, it puts a strain on the entire care system. . Thread of resources addresses burnout and well-being for clinicians #NowNearandFar. http://ow.ly/EEOE50JEZ7l">Health care workers are facing burnout, unlike any other profession. When clinicians are fatigued, it puts a strain on the entire care system. Thread of resources addresses burnout and well-being for clinicians #NowNearandFar. http://ow.ly/EEOE50JEZ7l</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=@TweetAONL resource Leading through Crisis: A Resource Compendium for Nurse Leaders – helps #nurseleaders support their team in times of crisis http://ow.ly/mjep50JEZUp">@TweetAONL resource Leading through Crisis: A Resource Compendium for Nurse Leaders – helps #nurseleaders support their team in times of crisis http://ow.ly/mjep50JEZUp</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The%20AHA%20Leadership%20Experience%20program%20teaches%20health%20care%20leaders%20skills%20to%20address%20burnout%20and%20mental%20health.%20http%3A//ow.ly/Jgfg50JEZZU">The AHA Leadership Experience program teaches health care leaders skills to address burnout and mental health. http://ow.ly/Jgfg50JEZZU</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Listen%20to%20the%20latest%20AHA%20Masterclass%20podcast%20series%20that%20discusses%20how%20to%20build%20health%20care%20leader%20well-being.%20http%3A//ow.ly/Gks450JF05k">Listen to the latest AHA Masterclass podcast series that discusses how to build health care leader well-being. http://ow.ly/Gks450JF05k</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=It%20is%20imperative%20for%20hospital%20leaders%20to%20identify%20trauma%20when%20it%20occurs.%20Listen%20to%20a%20recent%20AHA%20Advancing%20Health%20podcast%20that%20addresses%20opportunities%20for%20hospitals%20to%20lead%20in%20improving%20behavioral%20health%20treatment%20for%20employees.%20http%3A//ow.ly/J07O50JF090">It is imperative for hospital leaders to identify trauma when it occurs. Listen to a recent AHA Advancing Health podcast that addresses opportunities for hospitals to lead in improving behavioral health treatment for employees. http://ow.ly/J07O50JF090</a></li> </ul> <h2>Supporting the Team | Support Behavioral Health</h2> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The%20waves%20of%20COVID-19%20patients%20have%20put%20an%20emotional%20strain%20on%20clinicians.%20A%20study%20from%20the%20%40MentalHealthAm%20showed%20that%2093%25%20of%20clinicians%20reported%20stress%20in%202020.%20We%20must%20address%20this%20and%20create%20a%20culture%20of%20psychological%20safety%20for%20%23NowNearandFar.%20http%3A//ow.ly/gYwZ50JF0mY%0A%0A">The waves of COVID-19 patients have put an emotional strain on clinicians. A study from the @MentalHealthAm showed that 93% of clinicians reported stress in 2020. We must address this and create a culture of psychological safety for #NowNearandFar. http://ow.ly/gYwZ50JF0mY</a></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Clinicians%20across%20the%20country%20are%20working%20through%20grief%20brought%20on%20by%20COVID-19.%20A%20report%20from%20%40KFF%20showed%20only%2013%25%20of%20caregivers%20receive%20behavioral%20health%20services.%20A%20shift%20is%20needed%20so%20caregivers%20%23NowNearandFar%20have%20access%20to%20behavioral%20health%20services.%20%20http%3A//ow.ly/1tbS50JF0tJ">Clinicians across the country are working through grief brought on by COVID-19. A report from @KFF showed only 13% of caregivers receive behavioral health services. A shift is needed so caregivers #NowNearandFar have access to behavioral health services. http://ow.ly/1tbS50JF0tJ</a></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Front-line caregivers #NowNearandFar will be coping with trauma brought on by COVID-19. For health organizations that are expanding their behavioral health services for caregivers, consider these questions.. http://ow.ly/RgLc50JF0Cy">Front-line caregivers #NowNearandFar will be coping with trauma brought on by COVID-19. For health organizations that are expanding their behavioral health services for caregivers, consider these questions. http://ow.ly/RgLc50JF0Cy</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=.. What community-based behavioral health resources exist?">What community-based behavioral health resources exist?</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=.. Is there a Community Mental Health Center, Certified Community Behavioral Health Center, and/or a Federally Qualified Health Center with integrated behavioral health services?">Is there a Community Mental Health Center, Certified Community Behavioral Health Center, and/or a Federally Qualified Health Center with integrated behavioral health services?</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=.. Are these services accessible to your team members?">Are these services accessible to your team members?</a></li> </ul> <h2>Supporting the Team | Workplace Violence Prevention</h2> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Health care workers experience some of the highest levels of workplace violence. This must be address so caregivers #NowNearandFar have safe environments to provide care Leadership can take steps to build a safe environment for staff with these takeaways.http://ow.ly/Zslh50JF16F">Health care workers experience some of the highest levels of workplace violence. This must be address so caregivers #NowNearandFar have safe environments to provide care Leadership can take steps to build a safe environment for staff with these takeaways: http://ow.ly/Zslh50JF16F</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=1.. Create a culture of safety by prioritizing physical and psychological safety for the workforce and the patients they serve.">Create a culture of safety by prioritizing physical and psychological safety for the workforce and the patients they serve.</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=2.. Focus on prevention and training by regularly assessing facility vulnerabilities, supporting violence prevention programs, and education.">Focus on prevention and training by regularly assessing facility vulnerabilities, supporting violence prevention programs, and education.</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=3..Support those experiencing trauma due to violence and recognize that trauma can impact those not directly involved with dangerous events.">Support those experiencing trauma due to violence and recognize that trauma can impact those not directly involved with dangerous events.</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://on success and challenges, and leadership sponsorship are all steps needed to grow a safe workplace for health care workers #NowNearandFar. Thread on resources: http://ow.ly/qnFh50JF1Ov">Accountability is needed to grow workplace violence programs. Threat assessment reports, reports on success and challenges, and leadership sponsorship are all steps needed to grow a safe workplace for health care workers #NowNearandFar. Thread on resources: http://ow.ly/qnFh50JF1Ov</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%40MAHealthHosp%20guidance%20on%20Developing%20Healthcare%20Safety%20%26%20Violence%20Prevention%20Programs%20within%20Hospitals%20provides%20an%20understanding%20of%20the%20current%20best%20violence%20prevention%20practices%20being%20used%20across%20hospitals%20in%20Massachusetts.%20http%3A//ow.ly/FOXN50JF1UX">@MAHealthHosp guidance on Developing Healthcare Safety & Violence Prevention Programs within Hospitals provides an understanding of the current best violence prevention practices being used across hospitals in Massachusetts. http://ow.ly/FOXN50JF1UX</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The%20%40iahss%20Strategies%20to%20Mitigate%20Violence%20in%20Healthcare%20resource%20focuses%20on%20threat%20assessment%20as%20a%20tool%20for%20prevention%20and%20mitigation.%20http%3A//ow.ly/TFPe50JF1YF">The @iahss Strategies to Mitigate Violence in Healthcare resource focuses on threat assessment as a tool for prevention and mitigation. http://ow.ly/TFPe50JF1YF</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%40tweetAONL%20Guiding%20Principles%20for%20Mitigating%20Violence%20in%20Workplace%20Toolkit%20shares%20steps%20to%20systematically%20reduce%20violence,%20including%20bullying,%20as%20well%20as%20patient%20and%20family%20violence%20in%20the%20workplace.%20http%3A//ow.ly/hUqf50JF24I">@tweetAONL Guiding Principles for Mitigating Violence in Workplace Toolkit shares steps to systematically reduce violence, including bullying, as well as patient and family violence in the workplace. http://ow.ly/hUqf50JF24I</a></li> </ul> <h2>Social Media Graphics</h2> <h3><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1r_l16s3OedyhtxgFH9VC8GerTICYxIBG?usp=sharing" target="_blank" title="Download the social media images from the AHA Google Drive.">Access Graphics</a></h3> <p><a download="Strengthening-the-Health-Care-Workforce-Twitter.jpg" href="/sites/default/files/inline-images/now-near-far-digital-toolkit-horizontal.jpg" title="Click on the image to download."><img alt="Strengthening the Health Care Workforce Digital Toolkit: Strategies for Now, Near and Far. Horizontal Twitter Image." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d6f0a305-92f1-4a10-b5c2-fe4092fac058" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/now-near-far-digital-toolkit-horizontal.jpg" width="1200" height="628"></a></p> <p><a download="Strengthening-the-Health-Care-Workforce-Facebook.jpg" href="/sites/default/files/inline-images/now-near-far-digital-toolkit.-vertical.jpg" title="Click on the image to download."><img alt="Strengthening the Health Care Workforce Digital Toolkit: Strategies for Now, Near and Far. Vertical Facebook Image." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="557f19f6-8941-4cd4-987f-f9c1bdfd202a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/now-near-far-digital-toolkit.-vertical.jpg" width="1080" height="1080"></a></p> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2022/06/Strengthening-the-Health-Care-Workforce-toolkit.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to view the Strengthening the Health Care Workforce Digital Toolkit PDF with social media posts and images on supporting your team through burnout, behavioral health issues, and workplace violence prevention.">Strengthening the Health Care Workforce Digital Toolkit PDF</a></div> <div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/guidesreports/2022-06-21-strengthening-health-care-workforce-strategies-now-near-and-far" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Strengthening the Health Care Workforce: Strategies for Now, Near and Far PDF.">Strengthening the Health Care Workforce: Strategies for Now, Near and Far</a></div> <div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/fact-sheets/2021-05-26-fact-sheet-strengthening-health-care-workforce" target="_blank" title="Click here to view the Fact Sheet: Strengthening the Health Care Workforce.">Fact Sheet: Strengthening the Health Care Workforce</a></div> <div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/workforce-home" target="_blank" title="Click here to visit the AHA Workforce landing page and explore more resources.">Explore More AHA Workforce Resources</a></div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 22 Jun 2022 14:06:10 -0500 Toolkits/Methodology <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-8"> <h2>Executive Summary</h2> <p>Legislation mandating nurse staffing ratios is growing across the country. In 1999 California was the first to pass such a law, which went into effect in 2004. Since then, six states have introduced bills mandating nurse staffing levels, with varying momentum. Yet, no evidence-based best practices, standards, or research exists to support the use of these ratios.</p> <p>The appropriate number of patients assigned per nurse fluctuates depending on hospital type, patient population, care delivery models, unit layout, patient acuity, patient flow, and the education and experience of the nurse. Mandated nurse staffing ratios imply a “one size fits all” approach to patient care. Nurse leaders and nurses are best qualified to determine appropriate staffing for the needs of their patients. Mandated nurse staffing ratios are a static and ineffective tool that do not ensure quality care, optimal patient experience and staff well-being.</p> <p>Safety for patients and the health care team is our top priority. Hospitals and health systems across the country are working to advance patient safety, affordability and enhance value by transforming health care delivery. Mandated legislative proposals to nurse staffing limit innovations in team-based care models and increase stress on a health care system already facing an escalating shortage of educated nurses, especially during a global pandemic. Instead of mandating stringent staffing ratios across the board, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership recommends flexible staffing plans, customized to individual hospitals, that consider the above factors, discipline, and shifting needs.</p> <p>AONL is working with national nursing and health care organizations to systematically address nurse staffing to enhance value, while optimizing quality and patient outcomes. Read on to learn about legislation in the works, alternative staffing strategies, and resources to help combat these mandates.</p> <h2>Pending Legislation: What You Need to Know</h2> <p>Bills regulating nurse staffing percentages have cropped up in a handful of states.</p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <th>State</th> <th>Legislation Status</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Missouri</td> <td>Lawmakers have introduced HB1232 for the second year in Missouri. The bill, which mandates that all hospital units, clinical units, and patient care areas create and implement a written staffing plan, is not currently moving and has not been voted out of committee. This bill is similar to HB 2606 (2020).<br> AONL anticipates continuing to see this language, which is almost identical to a similar law that recently passed in California.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>New Jersey</td> <td>A-2439 (Benson) / S-1083 (Vitale), which mandates nurse staffing levels in hospitals, ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities, has been introduced in the current session.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>New York</td> <td>A108B/S1168A Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act, which requires hospitals implement clinical staffing committees, was signed into law in May 2021. A7119/S6346, which will require nursing homes to provide 3.5 RN hours per resident per day, also became law. Both laws require reporting to the State Department of Health and carry penalties for non-compliance.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Pennsylvania</td> <td>Amendments to HB966-SB115 -Licensure compact bill included several provisions related to staffing ratios and reporting. The Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders has issued a call to action to oppose the bill.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Connecticut</td> <td>LCO 5009, a bill addressing public health preparedness and racial justice contained a provision to establish a 2:1 nurse patient ratio in hospital ICU.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>California</td> <td>With the passage of AB 394 in 1999, which was implemented in 2004, California became the first state to launch minimum registered nurse–to-patient ratios for hospitals.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Michigan</td> <td>The bipartisan Safe Patient Care Act consists of Michigan House bills 4482-4484 and Senate bills 204-206 (identical in both chambers). They are awaiting a hearing in their respective committees.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3>Affiliate resources</h3> <p>AONL state affiliates offer a variety of research, background and talking points to help nurse leaders address staffing mandate legislation in their respective states.</p> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div> <div class="panel-heading" id="heading11" role="tab"> <h5 class="panel-title"><a aria-controls="item11" aria-expanded="false" class="collapsed" data-parent="#accordion" data-target="#example11" data-toggle="collapse" role="button">Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s Mandatory Nurse Overtime & Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios Document <strong>➤</strong></a></h5> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="heading11" class="panel-collapse collapse" id="example11" role="tabpanel"> <div class="panel-body"> <p>This paper offers talking points and recent research to brief senior hospital staff on nurse staffing legislation and aid them in answering questions about the topic.</p> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.aonl.org/system/files/media/file/2021/09/Michigan%20health%20hsoptial%20association%20staffing%20resource.pdf">Download Resource</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div> <div class="panel-heading" id="heading12" role="tab"> <h5 class="panel-title"><a aria-controls="item12" aria-expanded="false" class="collapsed" data-parent="#accordion" data-target="#example12" data-toggle="collapse" role="button">Michigan Organization of Nurse Leaders Position Statement on Safe Staffing Record Keeping and Transparency <strong>➤</strong></a></h5> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="heading12" class="panel-collapse collapse" id="example12" role="tabpanel"> <div class="panel-body"> <p>This position statement explains why additional legislative requirements around nurse staffing are not an appropriate strategy.</p> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.aonl.org/system/files/media/file/2021/09/MONL%20White%20paper%20on%20staffing%20Ratios.pdf">Download Resource</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div> <div class="panel-heading" id="heading13" role="tab"> <h5 class="panel-title"><a aria-controls="item13" aria-expanded="false" class="collapsed" data-parent="#accordion" data-target="#example13" data-toggle="collapse" role="button">Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey Nursing Workplace Environment and Staffing Council Evidence-based Toolkit <strong>➤</strong></a></h5> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="heading13" class="panel-collapse collapse" id="example13" role="tabpanel"> <div class="panel-body"> <p>This guide offers information to help leaders develop and implement hospital-based nursing workforce environment and staffing councils.</p> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.aonl.org/system/files/media/file/2021/09/ONLNJ%20Statement%20Minimum%20RN%20Staffing.pdf">Download Resource</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div> <div class="panel-heading" id="heading14" role="tab"> <h5 class="panel-title"><a aria-controls="item14" aria-expanded="false" class="collapsed" data-parent="#accordion" data-target="#example14" data-toggle="collapse" role="button">New York Organization of Nurse Executives & Leaders (NYONEL) Toolkit for Safe Nurse Staffing Always <strong>➤</strong></a></h5> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="heading14" class="panel-collapse collapse" id="example14" role="tabpanel"> <div class="panel-body"> <p>This toolkit recommends safe staffing practices in New York hospitals and long-term care facilities.</p> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.aonl.org/system/files/media/file/2021/09/NYONELToolkit.pdf">Download Resource</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div> <div class="panel-heading" id="heading15" role="tab"> <h5 class="panel-title"><a aria-controls="item15" aria-expanded="false" class="collapsed" data-parent="#accordion" data-target="#example15" data-toggle="collapse" role="button">New York Department of Health Study <strong>➤</strong></a></h5> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="heading15" class="panel-collapse collapse" id="example15" role="tabpanel"> <div class="panel-body"> <p>This study shows no conclusive findings regarding the value of mandated nurse staffing ratios that would have been imposed with the passage of the original version of the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act</p> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.aonl.org/system/files/media/file/2021/09/2020-08_staffing_report.pdf">Download Resource</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div> <div class="panel-heading" id="heading16" role="tab"> <h5 class="panel-title"><a aria-controls="item16" aria-expanded="false" class="collapsed" data-parent="#accordion" data-target="#example16" data-toggle="collapse" role="button">Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders’ Contact Your State Officials Letter <strong>➤</strong></a></h5> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="heading16" class="panel-collapse collapse" id="example16" role="tabpanel"> <div class="panel-body"> <p>Find specific information on the Nurse Licensure Compact Act, as well as details about new, unnecessary additions to the bill. This letter includes contact information for Pennsylvania state officials. Contact your officials today to urge them to remove the new amendments.</p> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.aonl.org/system/files/media/file/2021/09/PA%20Contact%20Legislator.pdf">Download Resource</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div> <div class="panel-heading" id="heading18" role="tab"> <h5 class="panel-title"><a aria-controls="item18" aria-expanded="false" class="collapsed" data-parent="#accordion" data-target="#example18" data-toggle="collapse" role="button">Texas Hospital Association’s Mandated Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios Still a Bad Idea for Texas <strong>➤</strong></a></h5> </div> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="heading18" class="panel-collapse collapse" id="example18" role="tabpanel"> <div class="panel-body"> <p>This op-ed provides helpful background information on why mandatory nurse staffing ratios are a bad idea for Texas hospitals.</p> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.aonl.org/system/files/media/file/2021/09/Texas%20Mandated%20Staffing.pdf">Download Resource</a></div> </div> </div> <h2>Safe, Proven Staffing Strategies</h2> <h3>The Business of Caring: Promoting Optimal Allocation of Nursing Resources</h3> <p>This outcomes-based staffing report, developed by AONL, American Nurses Association and Healthcare Financial Management Association, offers nursing leaders a path toward collaboration between nursing and finance departments, among other multidisciplinary partnerships. It also sets forth an action plan to help health care leaders better allocate resources, with steps toward conducting technology assessments, promoting interprofessional collaboration, working toward joint accountability, and more. Collaboration between those who deliver care and those who ensure the financial viability of care delivery is key to developing outcomes-based nurse staffing models and boosting high-value health care.</p> <div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="https://www.aonl.org/resources/the-business-of-caring" target="_blank">Access Resource</a></div> <hr> <p>The New York Organization of Nurse Executives & Leaders (NYONEL) praises innovated models to promote safe staffing. Link to statement below.</p> <p>The New York Organization of Nurse Executives & Leaders (NYONEL) praises the use of the strategies identified in <a href="https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nurse-staffing/staffing-principles/" target="_blank">American Nurses Association (ANA) Principles for Nurse Staffing</a>, which cites the importance of nurse leader autonomy.</p> <p>NYONEL recommends that health care facilities create multi-disciplinary teams, led by a professional nurse, that include at least 50% direct care nurses and the chief nursing officer, as direct care nurses understand nuances among various patient populations.</p> <p>“For these strategies to have an impact, nursing leaders in clinical care must have the authority endorsed by the entire agency leadership team to empower registered nurses to implement safe staffing plans,” says NYONEL. “All members of the agency leadership bear this responsibility for patient safety and quality outcomes.”</p> <p>The ANA Staffing Principles underscores the importance of taking a team-approach to patient care, which includes allocating resources.</p> <p>“The chief nursing officer (CNO) of a hospital has the expertise to understand all facets of patient care. However, the allocation of resources is not – and should not be – the sole responsibility of the CNO,” NYONEL says. “No two patients are the same and therefore the judgment of professional bedside nurses is essential to safe staffing implementation and must be incorporated in the development of individual agency staffing patterns.”</p> <h2>Exploring the Research</h2> <h3><a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/news.php?id=1797" target="_blank">Sepsis-related deaths study raises questions</a></h3> <p>Researchers at the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research (CHOPR) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, conducted an independent study indicating variation in patient-to-nurse ratios across hospitals in New York contributes to avoidable deaths for patients with sepsis. CHOPR Director and study co-author Linda H. Aiken, PhD, RN, suggests that mandated nursing ratios may reduce sepsis-related patient deaths and lower sepsis care costs.</p> <p>Because this study was based on outdated care models that don’t account for today’s interdisciplinary, team-based care frameworks, AONL questions the validity of this research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, clinicians trained across various specialties and care settings to fulfill a range of patient needs. They embraced telehealth and hospital-at-home models of care, innovating broadly to meet the demands of the moment. These care models have remained popular at health care facilities nationwide and provide different environments for patients than the ones outlined in this study.</p> <p>Link: <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/news.php?id=1797" target="_blank">https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/news.php?id=1797</a></p> <h3><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30179886/" target="_blank">Study: Mandated staffing ratios may not improve ICU outcomes</a></h3> <p>While some research has identified correlations between lower patient-to-nurse ratios and lower rates of complications within ICUs, for example, interventions to increase nurse staffing on general wards have not always shown improvements in patient outcomes. A study published in the <em>Journal of Critical Care Medicine</em> shows that Massachusetts legislation mandating ICU nurse staffing failed to show improvements in patient mortality or complication rates among critically ill patients. The study’s authors found that their research aligns with other studies focusing on nurse staffing outside the ICU. The authors thereby suggest that costly statewide legislation to mandate nurse staffing strategies may not improve patient outcomes.</p> <p>Link: <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30179886/" target="_blank">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30179886/</a></p> <h3><a href="https://www.chcf.org/publication/assessing-the-impact-of-californias-nurse-staffing-ratios-on-hospitals-and-patient-care/" target="_blank">Report shows budget crunches, bottlenecks and care plateau following staffing mandate</a></h3> <p>In 2004, California was the first state to implement minimum nurse-to-patient staffing requirements in acute-care hospitals. A report from the California HealthCare Foundation that tracks the impact of the legislation found that hospital leaders did not notice major changes to the quality of patient care in their facilities. Instead, leaders cited staffing bottlenecks in some emergency departments, as well as added costs from the staffing requirements. Hospital leaders were forced to reduce budgets and services, or introduce other cost-saving measures. This impact remained consistent across both high-performing and under-performing hospitals.</p> <p>Link: <a href="https://www.chcf.org/publication/assessing-the-impact-of-californias-nurse-staffing-ratios-on-hospitals-and-patient-care/" target="_blank">https://www.chcf.org/publication/assessing-the-impact-of-californias-nurse-staffing-ratios-on-hospitals-and-patient-care/</a></p> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/04/Revised-AONL-staffing-toolkit.pdf"><img alt="AONL Mandated Nurse Staffing Legislation Toolkit page 1." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3174d3b9-283a-4b97-a88e-b9ca6057bd3c" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Revised-AONL-staffing-toolkit.png" width="1700" height="2200"></a></p> <div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2022/04/Revised-AONL-staffing-toolkit.pdf" target="_blank">Download the PDF</a></div> </div> </div> </div> table { border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; } td, th { border: 1px solid black; text-align: left; padding: 8px; } tr:nth-child(even) { background-color: #dddddd; } Tue, 19 Apr 2022 10:01:55 -0500 Toolkits/Methodology