MTI Leadership Team Meeting Notes
September 20, 2005
Attendance: Joan Anderson, Beatty Brasch, Pat Carlson, Rick Carter, Cecelia Creighton, Ra Drake, Helen Fagan, Kevin Flores, Susan Kash-Brown, Malcom Miles, John Nason, Suzy Prenger, Kit Boesch, Lori Seibel, T.J. McDowell
Guests: Charlene Flood Johnson - Office of Minority Health
Adrienne Nielsen – Intern with the Lancaster County Medical Society
The meeting was called to order by TJ. Following introductions, the minutes were approved as mailed. TJ then reviewed homework assignments: a) Revisions to the Mission Statement; b) suggestions regarding staff assistance; c) additions to the Leadership Team; and d) what else is going on regarding the 8 action strategies.
It was moved (J. Anderson), seconded (B. Brasch) and unanimously passed to accept the following mission statement as a “working” mission statement –
To examine and enhance medical translation and interpretation (mti) services in Lincoln and Lancaster County through strategic leadership, innovation, collaboration, and advocacy.
The team then discussed staffing needs. The amount of time, skills of the position and expectations were discussed at length. It was moved (J. Anderson), seconded (B. Brasch) and unanimously approved to request CHE funding up to $30,000 annually, for up to 3 years, to hire a part-time project coordinator for the MTI project.
It was understood with part-time staff initially, we could bring in additional assistance like university graduate students to conduct research or other tasks. Perhaps after the first year we may see the need for a full-time coordinator. It was also agreed that though CHE may foot the cost to get started, other project partners will be encouraged to come to the table as additional implementation costs arise.
Malcolm Miles gave us an update on the CLAS Coalition (Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Services) through Region V (16 county-wide area for behavioral health care). He gave the team a brief history of how CLAS got started in 2000. From 2000-2003, cultural competency was under the area of Special Populations and later recognized as significant enough to actually add to their strategic plan. In 2003, the Regional Governing Board set aside $25,000 on these topics; and in the same year the CLAS Coalition was created.
Funds have been used in a variety of ways including small grants for $500-$1000 projects; reimbursement costs to providers for interpreter costs for non-Medicaid, non-English speaking clients. They have also created an on-line searchable database and website.
The Region has invested $3,150 (2004-05) in a statewide plan looking at quality assurance in interpretation and translation standards. They are exploring several ideas on how to standardize testing and looking at how other states have established state-wide standards. The MTI subcommittee on standards (Prenger/Kash-Brown) will work collectively with Region V. Whether we collaborate on legislative issues or public policy remain to be seen.
Helen Fagan handed out a copy of the CLAS standards which required protocol for any hospitals receiving federal funding.
BryanLGH was asked to participate in a research study that Joint Commission is conducting called Hospitals, Language and Culture. This is a study to help JCAHO gain a better understanding as they move forward with developing their standards. The research study involves on-site visits by the researchers to each hospital. 60 hospitals are participating; 50 were randomly selected; 10 were recommended. BryanLGH was recommended by one of the research advisory team members: Felicia Batts. BryanLGH’s site visit is scheduled for Monday, October 10th. The researchers will meet with CEO, HR people, Educators, Clinical Leaders, Quality and Patient Safety people and Helen (person charged with implementation of the CLAS standards for BLGH). Additionally, the researchers will visit, ED, Radiology and several in-patient units to talk to nursing staff, support staff, technicians, and physicians. The findings of this study can impact the way hospitals address needs of their Limited English Proficient (LEP) patients. This is why Helen wanted to share this information with our group.
Also Helen shared that a new requirement for medical centers (not a part of CLAS, but impacts all patients) is the collection of Race/Ethnicity data on all clients. BryanLGH will begin this on December 1st, and St. EEZ is developing their system for this collection so they will be doing this soon as well.
Ra Drake gave an update on the Office of Minority Health Conference scheduled for October 25 & 26, 2005 in Omaha. The MTI process will be presented by Kit/TJ/John. A large portion of the 2-day conference focuses on CLAS issues. It will be at the Omaha Holiday Inn -- $120/both days. The Leadership Team was invited to a reception at the Holiday Inn-Omaha on October 24th at 7 pm to welcome conference speakers.
Joan Anderson talked about an MTI survey for physicians, nurses, and other key health care professionals. It will seek data on their challenges and barriers and ask what they have seen in the way of interpreter ability, cost, and competency. Graduate students from the School of Nursing will assist in the survey development and implementation.
The MTI Standards Subcommittee chaired by Suzy Prenger and Susan Kash-Brown is meeting at noon, October 3, 2005 at the old Gallup Building at 68th & O Streets. Joining them will be John, Malcolm, Joan. Their subcommittee will begin discussions on standards and working with Region V.
Submitted by,
Kit Boesch, Staff
Handouts Available –
CLAS Executive Summary
Joint Commission Publication, “Hospitals, Language and Culture”