Posts Tagged ‘UPHCS’

UPHCS Purchases New Wide-Bore Mobile MRI
Posted on April 02, 2018

MARQUETTE – Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions, Inc. is happy to announce that a mobile, wide-bore Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will be coming to a hospital near you in April 2018. Two new GE Voyager MRI units will be shared among our partner hospitals in the Upper Peninsula, including: Aspirus Iron River Hospital, Aspirus Ironwood Hospital, Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital, Baraga County Memorial Hospital, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, and UP Health System – Bell.

Quality MRI images require that the patience lie completely still. This new MRI comes with a 70 cm bore, offering a more comfortable experience for patients— especially larger individuals, children, and those prone to claustrophobia. This next‐generation MRI helps reduce exam time and the improved patient comfort features result in a cooler, quieter experience while delivering both uncompromised image quality and high productivity. The 1.5 Tesla field strength is the industry’s best‐known and most‐widely used. Its bore diameter and field of view make MR scans accessible to more patients who need them.

The SIGNA Voyager delivers images with greater clarity and less noise to allow your physician to get a better look at your specific area of concern.  The systems also feature Acoustic Reduction Technology that delivers an enhanced patient experience by significantly reducing noise levels. Every part of this system design was based on making the experience easier for the patient including the softer table, softer coils for imaging, and a Newmatic MR Sound System to allow patients to listen to the music of their choice during the exam.

These highly advanced systems allow you to have the latest technology close to home. Please call your local hospital’s radiology department if you have specific questions or concerns.

Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions (UPHCS) acts as the Central Service Coordinator for mobile MRI host site members, facilitating the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Certificate of Need (CON) for the Health Service Area. UPHCS also facilitates the equipment and service contracts with the MRI service provider on the network’s behalf. The UPHCS mobile MRI network provides an important service to its hospital members not able to sustain a fixed MRI unit in their facility due to volume and geographic location requirements set forth by Michigan CON Review Standards for MRI.

About UPHCS
Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the 310,000 residents of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We are a network of community health care providers with a shared vision of working together to improve access, reduce cost, and promote quality health care services in the communities served by our members. Visit www.uphcs.org for more information.

UPHCS Awarded $296,243 Michigan Health Endowment Fund Grant
Posted on November 08, 2017

MARQUETTE – Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions, Inc. (UPHCS) has been awarded a $296,243 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to expand the evidence based advance care planning program, Make a Plan, Share Plan. The grant monies will be used to improve access and availability of integrated services for all adults through collaboration with community-based organizations and health systems across the region.

The Make a Plan, Share a Plan advance care planning model, developed in partnership with Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) and Honoring Healthcare Choices–Michigan, is centered on honoring the dynamic and individualized needs of each adult. “An individual’s ability to maintain personal control and dignity during a health crisis supports patient-centered healthcare delivery,” said UPHP Advance Care Planning Program Manager, Kate LaBeau. The opportunity to expand and integrate    care delivery that is based on an individual’s goals, values, and beliefs will lead to improved health care across the region.

Make a Plan, Share a Plan expands training and educational opportunities of certified advance care planning facilitators, and partners with senior services throughout the Upper Peninsula to provide advance care planning services. This grant will also be used to train and utilize existing clinical and healthcare staff, such as care managers and community health    workers, to create a cost effective, integrated approach to meet the healthcare needs of the region’s adult population.

Make a Plan, Share a Plan will rely on innovative and cost-effective health information technology (HIT) to enable providers, across the state of Michigan, access to advance care planning documents in a common location. In addition, Kate LaBeau will also make additional efforts toward community engagement with local media partners and organizations. Look for coming opportunities to “Share Your Storywith others.

UPHCS thanks the Michigan Health Endowment Fund who works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. More information about the Health Fund can be found at www.mhealthfund.com.

About UPHCS
Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the 310,000 residents of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We are a network of community health care providers with a shared vision of working together to improve access, reduce cost, and promote quality health care services in the communities served by our members. Visit www.uphcs.org for more information.

UPHCS to Hold Annual Trustee Forum
Posted on March 31, 2017

MARQUETTE – Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions (UPHCS) will hold their annual Trustee Forum on April 7th and 8th at the Holiday Inn in Marquette, Michigan. The speaker presentations will begin on Friday afternoon focused on health care reform. Senator Tom Casperson, State Representative Scott Dianda, and State Representative John Kivela will participate in the legislative panel to conclude the evening. Saturday morning will feature a joint commission speaker on high reliability organizations.

Below is a list of the scheduled speakers and their presentation topics:

Ken Leonczyk, Jr.

The Advisory Board Company, Senior Director and International Spokesperson

Topic: State of the Union: Health Care Reform Beyond the ACA

In his role for the Advisory Board Company, Ken advises health systems and health care industry companies on the strategic implications of health care reform, financing, and performance management. His presentation will give his expert perspective on how changes in health care will affect our region.

Brian E. Peters, MHSA, FNCHL

Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Chief Executive Officer

Presentation Topic: MHA Update

Prior to becoming the CEO for MHA, Brian held the role of Executive Vice President where he oversaw strategic planning and operations for one of the nation’s largest state hospital organizations and was responsible for the alignment of business strategies among the association’s various corporate entities. His presentation will offer insight on the future of healthcare in Michigan.

Coleen A. Smith, RN, MBA, CPHQ, CPPS

Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare, Director of High Reliability Initiatives

Presentation Topic: High Reliability Organizations

As the Director of High Reliability Initiatives for the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare, Coleen is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of activities supporting the adoption of high reliability practices in health care. Her presentation will provide her expert tips on how to become a highly reliable organization.

There will be an opportunity for media interviews on-site. For questions regarding the conference or to schedule media interviews, contact Carly Harrington, UPHP Corporate Communications Manager, at charrington@uphp.com.

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