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3 questions with Hilton Raethel of Healthcare Association of Hawaii
What are HAH’s hospital members’ top challenges currently, and top opportunities for the year ahead? Top challenges are workforce, financial viability and addressing health disparities. Top opportunities are moving to value-based care, ensuring Hawaii receives its fair share of federal funding, and leveraging AI.
Tell us about recent funding that will aid Hawaii hospitals. The Legislature approved material funds for capital improvement projects across the state, for health care workforce loan repayment, and for provider fee schedules to close the gap between Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement. All three initiatives are valued, appreciated and will be material in improving the health and well-being of the people of Hawaii.
What workforce development initiatives are you most proud of this year? What’s to come? Funding scholarships for hundreds of entry-level health care positions, expanding nurse residency programs and building glidepaths for career progression through earn-and-learn initiatives. What’s to come is the buildout and enhancement of health classrooms statewide for public high schools and the development of academic health centers on selected public high school campuses.
Top marks for Hawaii’s hospitals
This month, Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center, Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital and The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oahu earned an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade, based on their record of patient safety.
“Earning an ‘A’ grade means The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oahu and Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital made a true commitment to put patients first,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of national nonprofit The Leapfrog Group, in a statement. “We congratulate the leadership, board, clinicians, staff and volunteers that all had a role to play in this achievement.”
The rating measures the overall performance for patient safety of nearly 3,000 hospitals across the country. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
“Today’s recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our caregivers,” said Jill Hoggard Green, president and CEO of The Queen’s Health System, in a Nov. 6 statement. “We will continue to always put our patients first by keeping their safety and well-being as our highest priority. Our caregivers continue to demonstrate their commitment to providing safe, high-quality, compassionate care to all our patients.”
Ratings are based off data collected by national health care organizations, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and scored using more than 30 national safety performance measures.
“Administering high quality coordinated care while ensuring patient safety is a top priority at all Kaiser Permanente facilities,” said Sam Balukoff, vice president and hospital administrator at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, in a statement. “We’re proud to have such a dedicated team of physicians, providers and staff [who] consistently go to great lengths on a daily basis to create a safe environment for our patients and their families as they recover. We thank them for their compassion and hard work because they are the pivotal reasons for receiving achievements like this.”
To see the full grade details, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.
Maui Memorial Medical Center recognized by American Heart Association
For the 15th consecutive year, Maui Memorial Medical Center has earned the Gold Plus and Target: Honor Roll Quality Achievement Awards from American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program for excellence in heart and stroke care.
Additionally, this year, Maui Memorial received the GWTG Resuscitation Silver quality achievement award for meeting specific measures in treating adult patients who experience cardiac arrests in the hospital.
“MMMC is committed to continuously improving the care we provide by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes,” said Marie Falcis-Pickell, Maui Health senior director of quality, patient safety and process improvement, in a statement. “Our goal is to help more people on Maui experience longer, healthier lives.”
Queen's and Wahiawa General look into 'formal affiliation'
The Queen’s Health System announced Nov. 3 it has officially entered into an asset purchase agreement with Wahiawa General Hospital, which will allow Queen’s to formalize the purchase of WGH on March 31, 2024.
According to Queen’s, the specific nature of any affiliation between the two organizations will be determined and announced after due diligence is completed.
“We are very encouraged about a formal affiliation with The Queen’s Health System,” said Brian Cunningham, CEO of Wahiawa General Hospital, in a statement. “Queen’s has consistently been very supportive of the needs of Wahiawa General Hospital and our community over the years. Affiliating with Queen’s will dramatically improve our ability to fulfill our mission: improving the health status of the people of Central Oahu and the North Shore.”
According to the announcement, “Queen’s and Wahiawa General Hospital are committed to a seamless transition. As construction begins and services are evaluated, both parties will do their best to ensure the least amount of disruption to employees. Although the specifics are unknown, information will be shared with employees as it becomes available.”
New clinics open in Kailua
Adventist Health Castle has opened two new clinics in Kailua. The facilities began accepting new patients in late October.
“By expanding our footprint, we can serve more patients when and where they need it most,” said Ryan Ashlock, president and CEO of Adventist Health Castle, in a statement.
Locations
General Surgery and Oncology Clinic: 642 Ulukahiki St., Suite 300, Kailua, HI 96734
General Surgery Clinic: 808-263-5009
Oncology Clinic: 808-263-5022
Primary Care Clinic: 30 Aulike St., Suite 300, Kailua, HI 96734
Primary Care Clinic: 808-263-5015
To learn more visit: adventisthealth.org/castle.
