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Connection Newsletter
By AzHHA Communications ● April 25, 2024
Smart Brevity® count: 6 mins...1619 words
In this issue, read about:
- The House passing a territorial abortion law repeal amid ongoing Senate deliberations.
- New SUD patient record regulations.
- Upcoming information sessions for the Arizona Transition to Practice Program.
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Legislative showdown: The House passes territorial abortion law repeal amid ongoing Senate deliberations
Both chambers convened for their weekly sessions on Wednesday.
- Most of the legislative activity concerning abortion took place in the House.
- After 'third reading' a short list of bills, the House moved quickly with a motion from Representative Matt Gress (R Dist. 4) to suspend all rules and advance HB2677 (repealing the territorial ban) to a final vote.
- This motion was challenged by Representative Alexander Kolodin (R Dist. 3), who proposed that HB2677 be referred to the Committee of the Whole for further amendments. Kolodin's motion failed.
HB2677 passed by a vote of 32-29, with three Republicans joining the Democratic minority in favor of repealing the 1864 ban.
Meanwhile, in the Senate, similar legislative efforts are ongoing.
- Last week, the Senate introduced SB1734, a mirror bill to HB2677, focused on repealing the same ban.
- However, SB1734 has not yet been heard due to a requirement that all bills be read on three separate days in the Senate before it can proceed to a final vote.
What’s next: The transmission of HB2677 to the Senate.
- It is unclear how long, if at all, the Speaker may hold the bill in the House before sending it over.
- The Senate will reconvene next week, providing an opportunity to vote on SB1734.
- The legislative battle continues, and further developments are expected next Wednesday when the Senate meets the three-day requirement.
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📜 New SUD patient record regulations explained
Last Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the rewrite of the federal Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Record regulations at 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) went into effect.
- After nearly a decade of incremental changes to modernize Part 2 and align it with HIPAA to better serve individuals suffering from SUDs, the eagle has finally landed.
- This Coppersmith Brockelman Brief summarizes the most significant Part 2 rule changes and puts those changes into context for healthcare providers, health plans and health information networks/exchanges (HIN/HIEs).
While it went into effect last week, there is a compliance deadline of Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
- It allows patients broader consent options for the use and redisclosure of their records by healthcare providers and plans.
- Compliance requires thorough data mapping, identification of Part 2 records, and implementation of technical and administrative processes for data sharing.
- Organizations must update consent forms, notices, policies and procedures.
- The success of these changes depends on the capability of healthcare entities and technology vendors to adapt their systems to meet the new requirements.
For inquiries about how these regulations may impact organizations, contact [email protected].
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🎓 Arizona Transition to Practice Program: Info sessions
Congratulations to all the facilities that will have new graduate registered nurses participating in the Arizona Transition to Practice Program’s second cohort starting in June 2024.
Informational sessions about the program, including a program overview, onboarding information and the implementation plan, will be held:
- 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024
- 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2024
Who should attend?
- Key stakeholders at participating facilities for the June 2024 cohort, including site champions, executive sponsors, unit managers (on the new graduate’s unit) and educators.
- Anyone who is interested in learning more about the program.
If you haven’t received an invite and are interested in attending one of the sessions, please email [email protected].
What’s next: For the facilities participating in the June 2024 cohort, here are some other key upcoming dates:
- Preceptor Academy launches Monday, May 13, 2024
- New graduate cohort start date is Monday, June 24, 2024
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Arizona AG clarifies abortion ban enforcement date
In a letter to healthcare leaders on Thursday, April 18, 2024, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes addressed the enforceability of A.R.S. § 13-3603, a territorial-era ban on abortion in Arizona.
Following recent legal developments, it clarifies that the earliest date for enforcement is Saturday, June 8, 2024.
- The letter explains that the ban cannot be enforced until 45 days after the Arizona Supreme Court issues its mandate in Planned Parenthood Arizona v. Hazelrigg.
- It also discusses a separate enforcement moratorium from a related case.
- The letter emphasizes that during this period, no prosecutions or disciplinary actions can occur based on violations of § 13-3603.
- Additionally, it mentions the likelihood of litigation regarding the statute's constitutionality and promises guidance for healthcare providers if the ban takes effect.
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🔒 UnitedHealth Group addresses cyberattack aftermath
UnitedHealth Group (UHG) released a statement on Monday, April 22, 2024 regarding its initial assessment of a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a UHG subsidiary.
- While it didn't formally declare a breach, UHG revealed that an initial analysis indicated the exfiltration of files containing protected health information and personally identifiable information.
- It anticipates several months of analysis before identifying and notifying affected individuals.
- UHG is coordinating with law enforcement and regulators, and plans to notify impacted parties when more information is confirmed.
Notably, UHG offered to handle breach notifications and administrative requirements on behalf of providers or customers affected by the attack, aligning with a previous request by the American Hospital Association.
- Additionally, UHG established a dedicated call center to provide free credit monitoring and support services for individuals affected by the breach.
- Further details are available on the UHG website, and hospitals are encouraged to direct patients and other concerned parties to these resources.
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🏥 Arizona's top medical officers recognized
Michael White, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer at Valleywise Health, has been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review as one of the "180 Hospital and Health Systems Chief Medical Officers to Know" in 2024, one of only two in Arizona.
- Becker's praised leaders like Dr. White for their commitment to patient safety and quality standards, driving continuous improvement in their organizations.
- Valleywise Health's President and CEO and AzHHA board member, Steve Purves, commended Dr. White's leadership in various critical healthcare issues, including COVID-19 response and community service.
- Dr. White also chairs the Governing Board of the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance. Alongside his leadership roles, Dr. White practices as an interventional cardiologist at Valleywise Health, contributing to its high-quality care.
- The other Arizona recognition went to Nina Shah, DO. Dr. Shah is the senior vice president and chief quality and clinical value officer at HonorHealth and serves as the chief medical officer at HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center.
One fun thing: There was one additional Arizona connection on the list.
- Dennis Lund, MD, chief medical officer at Stanford Children's Health and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, previously served as executive vice president of the Phoenix Children's Medical Group and surgeon-in-chief at Phoenix Children's Hospital from 2011-2015.
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The Second Annual AzHHA Quality Awards are open for submissions from outstanding applicants wanting to highlight their work in:
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🏥Patient Safety and Quality
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📢Community Engagement
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🤰Maternal Health Innovation
Why it matters: These awards celebrate and recognize Arizona’s leaders committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional quality performance, community engagement and a culture of continuous improvement.
The big picture: Apply by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 31 and get ready to stand when you hear, “And the award goes to…”
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2024 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference Sponsorship Prospectus now available
The big picture: Join this year’s Sponsorship Program and have the enhanced ability to reach more than 200 hospital and healthcare industry leaders.
- Choose from a bundled option at the Title, Platinum, Gold or Silver levels.
- Bronze level sponsorships are à la carte opportunities that may be added to a bundled package or purchased as a stand-alone sponsorship.
- You might even consider the new opportunity to be the sole sponsor of the Quality Awards Luncheon.
By sponsoring the AzHHA Foundation’s 2024 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference, you will have opportunities to:
- Attend conference sessions, including keynote and breakout sessions.
- Gain corporate exposure and brand visibility with healthcare decision-makers.
- Cultivate relationships with Arizona’s hospital executives.
- Achieve insight into Arizona’s healthcare community, including strengths and issues.
- Support hospitals’ delivery of quality care.
Go deeper: View the entire prospectus directly or at azhha.org.
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Wednesday, May 11 - AZ Community Grand Rounds webinar
This session will include an overview of the CommunityCares closed-loop referral platform and how it streamlines information sharing and strengthens a social determinants of health network throughout Arizona. Register here.
Wednesday, May 15 - AzCHER 2024 Conference
Guarding the Healthcare Galaxy: Gearing UP for when systems go DOWN. Join AzCHER in its fourth annual conference at the Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, AZ 85382. Register now.
May 22-24 - Arizona Healthcare Financial Management Association Spring Conference
The theme for this conference is “Stayin’ Alive: Stayin’ groovy with your bottom line.” The event will be held at the Marriott Scottsdale McDowell. Learn more and register.
Thursday, May 30 - Introduction to POLST
Join physician orders for life-sustaining treatment paradigm (POLST) for their one-hour virtual workshops equipping healthcare professionals with knowledge and resources to begin using POLST in Arizona. Register here.
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