Quality Advisor

WHA Health Care Quality Showcase is April 9

The Health Care Quality Showcase is a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the innovative efforts Wisconsin hospitals are making to enhance patient safety and improve care.

Join us on April 9, 2025, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda to share your projects and learn about the quality improvement initiatives at other WHA member hospitals. This event highlights the dedicated work of hospital staff to improve patient safety and the quality of care across the state. It’s a great chance to engage with elected officials, Advocacy Day attendees, and the public to raise awareness of the important strides Wisconsin hospitals are making in ensuring safer, higher-quality care for all patients. Last year's showcase posters were featured in WHA's 2024 Wisconsin Health Care Quality Report.

If you are interested and would like to participate at the WHA Health Care Quality Showcase, please complete and submit this form. If you have questions, please contact Nadine Allen or Marcia Egle.

Advocacy Day is April 9 - Register Now

We are excited to announce that registration for WHA's Advocacy Day on April 9 is now open! This is a fantastic opportunity for WHA members to engage with policymakers, share their stories, advocate for important health care issues and hear from a keynote speaker you won't want to miss. Also on the website is important information for how your local teams can showcase their QI work on the afternoon of Advocacy Day at the Capitol Rotunda at the well-attended Health Care Quality Showcase! We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues to ensure a strong turnout for this important event. Your support is crucial in making Advocacy Day a success.

To assist you in promoting Advocacy Day within your organization, we have prepared a comprehensive promotional toolkit. This toolkit includes key messages, social media graphics, email templates and more to help you share information about Advocacy Day and encourage participation.

 If you have any questions, please email Nadine Allen. We hope to see you all there!

Sepsis Survivor Week Is February 9 - 15

During Sepsis Survivor Week, Sepsis Alliance partners with sepsis survivors to honor their experience by sharing their individual stories of survival and bringing awareness to the unseen mental, emotional and physical challenges many survivors face every day. This year’s theme is Share Your Story, Help Others Survive. Learn more at SepsisSurvivorWeek.org and click here to download a toolkit with ideas for raising awareness.

Health care professionals looking for more resources to advance your practice can click here here for Sepsis Survivor Week courses and resources.

Reminder: National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Annual Facility Survey Due March 1

The 2024 Patient Safety Annual Facility Survey forms along with the respective tables of instructions are available and can now be completed within NHSN. The deadline to complete the annual survey is March 1, 2025. We encourage those users responsible for submitting the annual survey to review the form before accessing it within NHSN, as there may be a need to consult with other members of your organization to complete certain questions.

 Please see the links below to access a blank copy of each of the three annual facility surveys for the Patient Safety Component.

• Acute Care Hospital Survey
• Long Term Acute Care (LTAC) Hospital Survey
• Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Survey

Within each blank form, a link to the table of instructions is included, which provides guidance for each question on the survey.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Seeks Input on Future Settlement Investments

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has awarded over $21 million in opioid settlement funds from October to December 2024, the largest quarterly allocation since receiving funds in 2022. These grants support efforts to prevent opioid misuse, reduce harm and expand treatment and recovery services. DHS Provides Update on Distribution of Latest Opioid Settlement Funds | Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

DHS is now seeking public input on the allocation of opioid settlement funds for fiscal year 2026. Wisconsinites can share recommendations through the Opioid Settlement Public Input Survey, open until February 28, 2025. This is an opportunity to influence the distribution of these funds at the state level.

Request for Feedback on Substance Use Disorder Treatment & Opioid Overdose Response Surveys

WHA is dedicated to improving access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and reducing opioid overdose risks through two key programs: the Wisconsin Rural Health and Substance Use Clinical Support (RHeSUS) Program and the Hospital Overdose Response Effort (HOPE). These programs offer essential resources, including program management, training, education and technical assistance.

We kindly ask that you or a designated staff/colleague member complete the following surveys to help us better understand your needs and experiences.

The Naloxone Distribution Survey input will help us assess current practices and identify areas where we can offer programming support. Please take a moment to complete the survey, or kindly forward it to someone such as the ED CMO or ED Manager.

The Hospital Peer Support Utilization Survey is an anonymous survey gathering feedback on staff experiences with peer recovery support services for patients with substance use disorders. It takes 5-7 minutes to complete and is ideal for clinicians in settings like Emergency Departments, urgent care, primary care and other locations offering peer recovery services. Please share this survey across various disciplines, including Hospital Administration, MD/DO, PA/NP, Pharmacists, Psychologists, RNs, Behavioral Health Providers, Peer Support Providers and others.

Thank you in advance for helping us distribute these important surveys. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of SUD treatment and overdose response programs across the state.