Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1272398
58 CMO / CARE DELIVERY 'It was a lapse in judgment': Advocate Aurora nurse expresses regret over Wisconsin bar incident By Kelly Gooch A nurse at Milwaukee and Downers Grove, Ill.- based Advocate Aurora Health said she regrets not wearing a mask or practicing social distanc- ing while visiting her sister's Wisconsin bar May 13. Nurse Katie Koutsky, RN, visited Limanski's Pub in West Allis, Wis., on May 13, aer the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the state's stay-at-home order. She said in a statement May 15 that she went to the bar to support her sister and her attempt to restart her business amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While she was there, she did an interview with WTMJ-TV. A video of the in- terview showed Ms. Koutsky with no mask on and other customers without masks nearby. When asked if she was worried about possible expo- sure to COVID-19, Ms. Koutsky told WTMJ-TV, "I don't think the risk presents any higher than going to a grocery store." Ms. Koutsky said May 15 she faced "intense media scru- tiny" aer her decision to go to her sister's bar. She said her priority was to support her sister and her efforts to restart her bar, but she regrets certain actions. "I'd like to express my regret for not wearing a mask or practicing social distancing while there. It was a lapse in judgment on my part to not ensure I had my mask prior to leaving my house and to not maintain social dis- tancing — even during the interview requested by the reporter," Ms. Koutsky wrote. "As a nurse, I understand the fear and uncertainty every- one is facing and how important it is to practice safety measures not only at sites of care, but while away from work," she added. "I let my guard down and apologize for making anyone feel uncomfortable or at risk. While I do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and there are no indications of exposure, out of an abundance of caution, I am voluntarily self-quarantining for the next seven days. As standard practice at my hospital, I will undergo screening before returning to work." Ms. Koutsky's employer, Advocate Aurora, provided a statement to Becker's earlier in May in response to the bar incident, expressing disappointment. n NCH Healthcare drops lawsuit against Leapfrog over 'D' grade By Gabrielle Masson N aples, Fla.-based NCH Healthcare System plans to drop its lawsuit against The Leapfrog Group, according to Fox affili- ate WFTX-TV. The Leapfrog Group released its 2019 Hospital Safety Grades Nov. 7, assigning "A" through "F" letter grades for patient safety performance to hospitals voluntarily participating in the survey. Both NCH North Naples and Naples-based NCH Baker Hospital received a "D" grade. NCH Healthcare filed a lawsuit in the fall of 2019 against Leapfrog over the grades. The healthcare system said it didn't participate in the Leapfrog Group survey in the last year and consequently re- ceived a low grade. NCH said the grades were "false and mislead- ing," according to court documents cited by WINK News. "We are happy to put the past behind us with the dismissal of this lawsuit and focus on improving the patient experience," said NCH President and CEO Paul Hiltz. "Quality patient care has always been, and always will be our first and foremost priority." The NCH hospitals "recently showed improvement in safety," Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, told Becker's in an emailed statement, adding that Leapfrog looks forward to the system's future progress and wishes "the very best of health to NCH and the Naples community." n Allegheny Health Network employees to receive COVID-19 bonus payments By Kelly Gooch A bout 12,000 employees at Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network will receive bonus payments as part of a program in recognition of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pittsburgh-based insurer Highmark Health, the parent company of AHN, announced the $5 million Heroes Appreciation Program on May 27, after AHN canceled its pay protection program and re- sumed standard payroll practices for most employees. Under the appreciation program, front-line AHN employees will re- ceive one-time payments to help offset additional personal or fami- ly expenses they incurred due to the pandemic. "The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything we've experienced in our lifetimes," David Holmberg, Highmark president and CEO, said in a news release. "Despite the uncertainty, AHN employees have come through in a big way for the people of Western Pennsylvania at this critical time. We felt it was important to come through for them, and to demonstrate our profound appreciation for their per- sonal sacrifice, courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the people and communities we serve." The payments were distributed during the next pay period after the bonus payments were announced. Employees who received the awards include nurses, medical assistants, therapists, technicians and social workers, as well as environmental services professionals, dietary services workers and maintenance staff. n