You’re dedicated to running the hospital; we’re dedicated to helping you.
In this section, you’ll find resources to manage a highly efficient, safe and reliable organization.
Patient care is your mission; helping hospitals treat patients is ours.
In this section, you’ll find resources devoted to providing safe, reliable, patient-centered care.
Strong communities need strong hospitals; we’re committed to supporting your strength.
In this section, you’ll find information about all the good work hospitals do outside their four walls.
Health policy shapes the operating environment for hospitals; we influence those policies with one unified voice.
In this section, you’ll stay apprised of legislative, legal and regulatory work occurring at the local, state and federal level.
The evolving health care landscape requires continuous learning; we keep you informed through relevant education and insight.
In this section, you’ll find educational opportunities to accommodate a variety of professions, schedules and topics.
You keep vigil on the front lines; we look out for the big ideas at the forefront of transformation.
In this section, you’ll find information on developing issues as they impact health care.
You rely on others; and so do we.
In this section, you’ll learn how to participate in the collaborations and partnerships that drive our success.
You’re the reason we’re in business; these are the advantages of doing business with us.
In this section, you’ll discover all the benefits an MHA membership has to offer.
02.14.24
Actions
Type
Past issues are available in the Media Library.
CMS Issues Revised Texting Guidance
MHA Distributes Wage Index, Occupational Mix Data For Review
Maternal Syphilis Rate Triples Over Six Years
Staff Contact: Sarah Willson
CMS issued revised guidance on the texting of physician orders. The texting of patient information and patient orders among members of the health care team is permitted if accomplished through a HIPAA-compliant, secure texting platform and in compliance with the Conditions of Participation. MHA is evaluating the revised guidance and seeking clarification on certain requirements.
Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler
CMS released revised public-use files used to develop the FFY 2025 Medicare wage index. Hospitals can review their hospital-specific data and request revisions by Friday, Feb. 16. Requests and supporting documentation for revisions should be directed to the CMS Medicare Administrative Contractor. Requests for revisions are limited to mishandling of the data or revisions of desk review adjustments to wage index data. MHA posted these files to HIDI Advantage® for review.
Staff Contact: Mary Conley
The CDC reports syphilis infections during pregnancy more than tripled between 2016 and 2022 to 280 cases per 100,000 births. In Missouri, the rate of infection in pregnant women increased 341% along with a rise in cases of congenital syphilis in newborns. In November, the CDC reported more than 3,700 mothers passed on the infection to their babies in 2022 — 10 times more than in 2012 — although timely testing and treatment could prevent most mothers from transmitting the infection to their babies.
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends screening for all pregnant women. The CDC provided treatment guidelines for maternal and congenital syphilis.
READ: The Flex Monitoring Team published “Lessons Learned from Efforts to Support Vulnerable Critical Access and Other Rural Hospitals” summarizing state and federal programs, demonstrations, and models to support CAHs and other rural hospitals.