Arkansas Hospital Association
2021
ANNUAL REPORT
ARKANSAS HOSPITALS | ANNUAL REPORT 2021 1
BOARD of Directors Ron Peterson, FACHE
Jay Quebedeaux, FACHE
Debra Wright, MSBA, RN
CEO Mena Regional Health System
CEO Howard Memorial Hospital
Arkansas Valley District
Greg Crain, FACHE
Southwest District
Phillip Gilmore, PhD, FACHE
Metropolitan District
President/CEO Baxter Regional Medical Center
Senior Vice President/Administrator Baptist Health Medical Center-LR
Trustee, Arkansas State Board of Health
Larry Shackelford, CPA, FACMPE
Barry Davis, FACHE
Gary Paxson, RN, BSN, MS
CEO Washington Regional Medical System
CEO Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
(Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care) President & CEO White River Health System
Chairman
Chairman-Elect
Peggy Abbott Treasurer
Northeast District
Vincent Leist
Northwest District
President/CEO Ouachita County Medical Center
President/CEO North Arkansas Regional Medical Center
Chris Barber, FACHE
Steven Webb, FACHE
Delegate, American Hospital Association President/CEO St. Bernards Healthcare
President/CEO Unity Health
Past-Chairman
North Central District
Ryan Gehrig, FACHE
Brian Thomas
President Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
CEO Jefferson Regional
Director, At-Large
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Southeast District
CEO Ashley County Medical Center
Representative, QIO
James Magee Ex-Officio
Executive Director Piggott Community Hospital
Carol Evans
AHAA President
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center
Johnny McJunkins AAHT President
Howard Memorial Hospital
Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain humbled by the remarkable resilience of our members. This crisis has demanded agility, innovation, and collaboration, and it has shown us how strong we are when we stand together. Using data and expertise, the Arkansas Hospital Association amplifies the voice of Arkansas’s hospitals in shaping health policy, driving quality improvement initiatives, providing opportunities for education and networking, and advocating for economic sustainability to support our diverse membership.
We serve hospitals, so that hospitals can continue to create a healthier Arkansas.
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POLICY
& ADVOCACY As the state’s most trusted authority on health care, the AHA has a seat at the table for all major policy initiatives, with the goal of improving the system to enhance individual patient care and public health for Arkansans. Through the AHA, Arkansas hospitals present a united voice to lawmakers and regulatory agencies.
2021 Highlights & COVID-19 Response • Worked with the Arkansas Department of Human Services to procure $129.2M to support staffing at acute care hospitals during the late summer COVID-19 surge. • Successfully advocated for CMS to reconsider proposed changes to the definition of the Medicaid fraction – which would have affected Arkansas hospitals in several ways, including impacting Medicare DSH payments and 340B eligibility. • Donated state AHA PAC funds to Arkansas candidates who consistently support hospitals and their patients.
COMING SOON!
Arkansas Health Care Legislation reference guide to acts passed in the 2021 session
Advocating for You • Monitors proposed federal and state laws and regulations. • Crafts legislation favorable to the patients of Arkansas. • Intervenes in lawsuits to offer insight about the broad implications of court decisions on patients and the health care system. • Maintains relationships with legislators, regulators, and their staff members, so that the hospital perspective is always foremost in their minds.
What’s Next?
• During the first extended session, the AHA fought against legislation that would make it more difficult to comply with federal mandates for employee vaccination and fought to protect a hospital’s ability to require COVID-19 vaccination for hospital employees. While Act 1115, which mandates the employers imposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate must offer vaccine alternatives, was passed into law, CMS regulations would supersede the state law. The regulations are currently being challenged in court. • In the second extended session, AHA successfully championed HB1005, which repeals Arkansas Code § 4-86-111, an insulin pricing law that had unintended consequences that were extremely financially damaging for some hospitals.
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2021 Session Highlights
After results were tallied in the 2020 elections, Republicans had won a 28-7 majority in the Senate and a 78-22 majority in the House. At the start of the 2021 session, Arkansas was one of 16 state legislatures where Republicans had a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers. • Protecting Arkansas’s Medicaid Expansion program was the top priority for the 2021 legislative session. Act 530 (effective January 1, 2022) creates the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me Act, or ARHOME, which will enable the state to continue Medicaid Expansion coverage through purchased qualified health plans for Medicaid beneficiaries. • AHA worked, successfully, to preserve the soft drink tax, which funds a critical portion of the Medicaid Trust Fund. • AHA was able to soften Act 311, known as the No Patient Left Alone Act, to give hospitals the flexibility on patient visitation mandates that they needed to maintain compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services conditions for participation. • AHA worked with stakeholders to codify executive orders that provide some immunity protection for health care workers (Act 510), protect workers’ compensation (Acts 559 and 353), and allow continued use of telemedicine (Act 829). • AHA also worked with stakeholders on Act 113, which would protect 340B hospitals’ arrangements with contract pharmacies from discriminatory practices of pharmaceutical manufacturers.
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AHA
ANALYTICS AHA Analytics, the Arkansas Hospital Association’s data services program, provides access to timely and accurate data and statistics for hospitals, offering members indispensable tools for strategic planning and quality improvement.
2021 Highlights • Produced and distributed hospital-specific reports on strategic planning topics such as Medicare proposed and final rule impacts, post-acute transfer trends, and spending per beneficiary, and on quality topics, such as the impact of specific Medicare pay-forperformance programs. • Provided technical support for state and federal COVID-19 hospital reporting requirements, including regular contact and meetings with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Arkansas Department of Health, monitored TeleTracking and EMResource data systems, and targeted assistance for compliance issues. • Offered small-group and one-on-one training to the 270+ current users of the AHA Analytics website and reports.
COVID-19 Response All aspects of AHA’s COVID-19 response have been enhanced by the AHA Analytics program, from advocating for financial and regulatory relief to monitoring hospital capacity and preparedness. • The ArkPrepare Daily Snapshot provides daily statistical information on hospital bed availability and COVID-19 hospitalizations, both statewide and for specific hospital regions. • ArkPrepare Update Calls provide indepth situational updates informed by AHA Analytics monitoring.
What’s New?
• Expanded AHA Analytics discharge data reports to include information on Arkansas residents seen in hospitals in 13 other states, including Missouri and Tennessee. • Onboarded seven new hospitals into the discharge data system: Arkansas Continued Care Hospital of Jonesboro, Baptist Memorial Hospital - Crittenden, and hospitals in the Northwest Health system.
What’s Next?
In 2022, our interactive discharge data system will be transitioning to Tableau, which will include new data visualization options. Stay tuned for training information!
Participation in the AHA Analytics data services program is included in your membership dues. For more information, contact AHA Vice President of Data and Financial Policy, Melanie Thomasson, at mthomasson@arkhospitals.org.
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EDUCATION & NETWORKING 2021 Highlights • Annual Meeting week once again connected members virtually. We produced a virtual awards ceremony, including a keynote address, educational sessions, and giveaways. • Annual Meeting Full-Day Leadership Workshop: A FREE threeday virtual educational series was presented live, then recorded and provided to any AHA member who expressed interest. • 83% of member hospitals attended at least one AHA educational event in 2021, with 2,930 lines utilized for virtual events and web-based instruction. • AHA offered over 125 hours of continuing education, including American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) education, compliance, engineering, ethics, long-term care, medical staff services, nursing, quality, and coding. Of this total number, 4.5 hours were ACHE Face-to-Face education and 16.25 hours of qualified education per ACHE requirements. • Provided 25+ complimentary or discounted online education opportunities through partnerships with other hospital associations. • Renegotiated the emergency preparedness grant with the Arkansas Department of Health to offer one conference on hospital preparedness and two planning conferences. The planning conferences were offered in a hybrid format allowing attendees to join in-person or virtually. • Provided staff assistance to 13 of AHA’s affiliated organizations to produce virtual events, newsletters, websites, listservs, board meetings, conference calls, communications to members and other information of benefit to their members with over 450 hours of work time.
COVID-19 Response 2021 Virtual Leadership Summit
Five sessions were provided at a huge discount to AHA members with topics focused on: telemedicine post COVID-19; hospital at home and expansion of technology; diversity and inclusion; supply chain excellence in the post pandemic world; leading past COVID PTSD to an emotionally healthy workplace; rural health care delivery in recovery. By partnering with 20 other hospital associations and the Executive Speakers Bureau, AHA was able to provide national speakers, normally costing $67,000, at minimal cost to AHA and members.
Healthcare Preparedness Program Grant
The annual two-day Emergency Preparedness Forum was cancelled due to COVID-19. However, AHA was able to secure the $44,800 Healthcare Preparedness Program (HPP) grant funds through documentation of the education and communications provided to members throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, by the ArkPrepare Team.
What’s New? Members can now register for AHA events online!
Employees of member hospitals will receive a username and account setup instructions, which will allow them to register for AHA educational offerings at the click of a mouse! Confirmation of registration will be emailed immediately.
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QUALITY
& PATIENT SAFETY The AHA quality improvement team supports members through on-site visits, coaching calls, mentoring, and programs for building quality improvement capacity throughout the state.
2021 Highlights • Healthcare Quality Improvement Contract with TMF and AFMC: AHA met our recruitment goals and have 52 Arkansas hospitals participating. We have made quarterly virtual visits with participating hospitals to focus on reducing healthcare-acquired conditions and readmissions. Throughout the work, we are also focusing on patient and family engagement, healthcare equity, and eliminating care disparities. • Statewide Patient and Family Advisory Council: Now in its third year, the PFAC continues to be a forum for supporting patient and family engagement. • Provided a clinical experience for 16 DNP students from the University of Central Arkansas which involved six hours of virtual presentations and self-study. We also precepted a BSN student from UCA. • Provided informational and technical support to hospitals reporting data through NHSN. • South Central HIINergy Collaboration: Along with state hospital associations in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Florida, Montana, and New Mexico, we participate in monthly calls to share resources and strategize on how to maximize results in quality and patient safety. • Celebrated member organizations for achievements in Quality and Patient Safety on an ongoing basis both nationally and within the state through articles, webinars, and weekly newsletters. • With the AHA Education Team, participated in the CE Provider Unit monthly calls and served as the primary nurse planners for the CEPU. Attended monthly virtual meetings, as well as the annual Provider Unit meeting.
• Represented AHA as a member or stakeholder at multiple committee meetings, offering the hospital quality and patient safety perspective: • Quality Subcommittee for AR Benefits • Maternal Mortality Review Committee • Multiple Collaborative Improvement & Innovation Networks (CoIIN) for Infant Mortality, Safe Sleep and Breastfeeding • Arkansas STEMI Advisory GroupArkansas Falls Coalition • Healthcare Associated Infection Task Force with the Arkansas Department of Health • Medicaid IQI Advisory Council • AFMC/ADH Rural Health Summit • Arkansas Cancer Coalition • South-Central Telehealth Resource Center Advisory Committee. • CPC+ (Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative) • Association of Professionals in Infection Control Board for Arkansas • Economic Development Alliance for Arkansas • Rural Health Association of Arkansas Conference
COVID-19 Response The Quality Team is integral to the ongoing work of the ArkPrepare team, delivering breaking news on clinical topics related to COVID-19 and COVID vaccines.
What’s New? Monthly Quality Forums
Beginning in May, the Quality Team developed and produced monthly trainings for members. Topics have included pressure injuries and skin manifestations, social determinants of health, and a three-part falls collaborative.
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AHA
SERVICES AHA Services, Inc. (AHASI) is owned by the AHA membership and was created to serve you. AHASI connects member hospitals throughout the state with products and services that reduce costs and drive performance improvement. All AHASI Endorsed Vendors undergo a strategic vetting process to ensure that their offerings will help AHA member hospitals respond to the ever-shifting health care landscape.
2021 Highlights • The AHA Workers’ Compensation Self-Insured Trust returned $1,227,998 in unspent workers’ compensation premiums to participating hospitals, while maintaining a healthy fund balance to meet all workers’ compensation obligations. • In the first full year of the AHA Connectivity Consortium, our very first member (a critical access hospital) was approved for $62,127.39 in funding from the Rural Health Care (RHC) Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The Connectivity Consortium was established to enable hospitals to receive more subsidies under the FCC’s Rural Healthcare Program. Many Arkansas hospitals currently participate, but almost none take full advantage. Millions of dollars are left on the table each year because of lack of applications for eligible products and services.
COVID-19 Response AHA Services has continued to expand and enhance our offerings to meet your most pressing needs throughout the pandemic. • Endorsed vendor Qualivis worked with AHASI to supply the ArkPrepare Team with national market demand on a weekly basis. • Endorsed vendors PPE Exchange and bttn. worked with AHASI to identify sources for supplies that are difficult to locate.
What’s New? • Connecting 340B Hospitals in Arkansas
We launched an ongoing series of quarterly virtual meetings for 340B hospitals in our state, with the help of 340B Health and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center.
• New Endorsed Vendor: bttn.
A healthtech medical supplier powered by big data and predictive pricing models, promoting price transparency by passing cost savings directly to buyers.
• Endorsed vendor VOYCE launched its language interpreter app for Zoom, and it is now ADA compliant and compatible with telemedicine, EHR and online meeting platforms.
Learn more about all of AHA Services’ endorsed vendors at ahaservicesinc.com, or reach out to AHASI President Tina Creel at tcreel@arkhospitals.org.
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AHA MEMBERS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
19th Medical Group Advanced Care Hospital of White County Arkansas Children's Hospital Arkansas Children's Northwest Arkansas Continued Care Hospital of Jonesboro Arkansas Hospice Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Arkansas State Hospital Ashley County Medical Center Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway Baptist Health Medical Center-Heber Springs Baptist Health Medical Center-Hot Spring County Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock Baptist Health Medical Center-N. Little Rock Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute Baptist Health-Fort Smith Baptist Health-Van Buren Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden Baxter Regional Medical Center Bradley County Medical Center CARTI Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Chambers Memorial Hospital CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs Rehab Hospital, a Partner of Encompass Health CHI St. Vincent Infirmary CHI St. Vincent Morrilton CHI St. Vincent North CHI St. Vincent Sherwood Rehabilitation Hospital, a Partner of Encompass Health Chicot Memorial Medical Center CHRISTUS Dubuis Hospital of Fort Smith CHRISTUS Dubuis Hospital of Hot Springs
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System Conway Behavioral Health Conway Regional Health System Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Little Rock CrossRidge Community Hospital Dallas County Medical Center Dardanelle Regional Medical Center Delta Health System DeWitt Hospital & Nursing Home Drew Memorial Health System Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, a Partner of Washington Regional Eureka Springs Hospital Forrest City Medical Center Fulton County Hospital Great River Medical Center Helena Regional Medical Center Howard Memorial Hospital Izard County Medical Center Jefferson Regional Johnson Regional Medical Center Lawrence Memorial Health Foundation, Inc. Levi Hospital Little River Medical Center, Inc. Magnolia Regional Medical Center McGehee Hospital Medical Center of South Arkansas Mena Regional Health System Mercy Hospital Berryville Mercy Hospital Booneville Mercy Hospital Fort Smith Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas Mercy Hospital Ozark Mercy Hospital Paris Mercy Hospital Waldron Methodist Behavioral Hospital
TELLING THE STORY
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
National Park Medical Center NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital North Arkansas Regional Medical Center Northwest Health Physicians' Specialty Hospital Northwest Medical Center Bentonville Northwest Medical Center Springdale Ouachita County Medical Center Ozark Health Medical Center Ozarks Community Hospital Piggott Community Hospital Pinnacle Pointe Behavioral Healthcare System Regional One Health Rivendell Behavioral Health Services Riverview Behavioral Health Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center Saline Memorial Hospital Sevier County Medical Center Siloam Springs Regional Hospital SMC Regional Medical Center Springwoods Behavioral Health Hospital St. Bernards Five Rivers St. Bernards Medical Center Stone County Medical Center The BridgeWay UAMS Medical Center Unity Health Unity Health - Harris Medical Center Valley Behavioral Health System Vantage Point of NWA Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks Washington Regional Medical System White River Health System Willow Creek Women’s Hospital WoodRidge of West Memphis, LLC D/b/a Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of W. Memphis
In 2021, Arkansas Hospitals magazine featured stories of the innovative solutions hospitals have found to challenges presented by COVID-19. Read them online at arkhospitals.org.
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Stay Connected with AHA
For AHA news, upcoming events, publications and more, visit www.arkhospitals.org. There, you’ll also find a link to subscribe to our various e-newsletters.
And engage with AHA on social media: Arkansas Hospital Association facebook.com/ARHospitalAssn
@arkhospitals instagram.com/ArkHospitals
@arkhospitals twitter.com/arkhospitals
Arkansas Hospital Association linkedin.com/company/ArkHospitals
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