Minnesota Flex Program Details
Location: Minnesota Department of Health
Number of CAHs: 79
Web site: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/
State Rural Health Plan
Rural Assistance Center State Resources
Minnesota Flex Program Success Story
Minnesota's Flex Program contracted with Stratis Health QIO to work with a group of CAHs to re-administer the AHRQ Rural Organization Safety Culture survey, analyze the data and assist in planning and deploying meaningful interventions. The survey was administered to five hospitals. Four hospitals continued beyond the survey process, with teams attending workshops on "Implementing a Just Culture;" holding conference calls; participating in re-surveys; attending a workshop on implementing Team STEPPS in their hospitals; attending WebEX sessions to discuss survey results and measurements. Among the results: one hospital reported identification and resolution of staffing issues, freeing up RNs to spend more time with patients and increasing staff satisfaction; another showed improvement in their error reporting process and increased comfort level among staff in reporting near misses. All participating hospitals indicated they appreciated the educational opportunities and even in cases where improvement was not dramatic, they reported they had implemented changes that they anticipated would ultimately yield positive results.
Minnesota Most Significant Flex Achievement
Designating 79 CAHs in Minnesota and supporting them as they become stabilized as hubs of care in their rural communities.
Minnesota Top Three Flex Activities in 2010
- Contracting with Stratis Health (QIO) to prepare CAHs to get ready for mandatory quality reporting under Minnesota’s state health reform law.
- Providing approximately $5 million in grants and loans to CAHs and other rural health care organizations.
- Designating 79 trauma hospitals in the last three years.