Blue Cross contributes $5 million to MHA Keystone Center to support research and innovations

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan recently announced that it’s expanding its longstanding relationship with the Michigan Health & Hospital Association Keystone Center with a $5 million contribution.

Since the launch of the MHA Keystone Center in 2003, participating hospitals have made significant strides in increasing safety and quality and have been recognized nationally for their work to improve care statewide. This newest investment from Blue Cross, which will be paid in installments through 2024, adds to the $16 million Blue Cross has provided to the MHA Keystone Center since 2009.

Funding will directly support new programs and hospital-led innovations related to women and children’s health, maternal care and the safety of both patients and health care workers. The funding will also support Blue Cross and the MHA Keystone Center’s work encouraging Michigan hospitals to offer medication assisted treatment for substance use disorders to help combat the opioid epidemic — an ongoing focus of Blue Cross and the MHA Keystone Center.

“Since its creation 18 years ago, the MHA Keystone Center has performed critical work that has positioned Michigan as one of the leading places to receive hospital-based care,” said Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan President and CEO Daniel J. Loepp. “Blue Cross and MHA have mutual interest in promoting hospital-based care that is not only safe, but that delivers the positive outcomes patients count on when they first arrive at their community’s hospital.”

MHA CEO Brian Peters added: “Delivering safe, high-quality care to every patient every time is at the core of every Michigan hospital’s mission. The investments from BCBSM for the ongoing quality and safety work of the MHA Keystone Center has allowed hospitals across the state to collaborate on issues that directly impact our patients and employees. Together, this work has led to lives saved and health care errors and costs prevented.”

Some recent successes
Following are some of MHA Keystone Center’s most recent successes:

• The Great Lakes Partners for Patients Hospital Improvement Innovation Network Midwest Alternatives to Opioids program led to an 11.3% decrease in opioid administration.
• The work of the GLPP HIIN is estimated to have saved 3,350 lives, led to a total cost savings of $292,903,501 and avoided 25,204 incidents of harm among hospitalized patients.
• The MHA Keystone Center’s quarterly Speak-up! Award program shows health care staff have prevented nearly $12 million in unnecessary costs just by speaking up when they identified potential for harm.

Promoting a safer environment
Michigan physicians also see the positive effects the MHA Keystone Center has on each patient, especially in the operating room, as it’s played a key role in promoting a safer care environment for each patient. 

James Grant, Blue Cross senior vice president and chief medical officer, who practiced as an anesthesiologist for more than 30 years, saw the positive effects firsthand. “We do things differently and in a safer manner today because of this work,” he said. “Patient checklists exist today that didn’t exist before the MHA Keystone Center.

“Staff take timeouts to assure protocols have been followed. Precautions have increased to promote safety and ensure sterile techniques for various procedures to avoid infections. The MHA Keystone Center has been instrumental in leading to a safer care environment for each patient we serve.”

For more information
Check out the following blogs that are posted on MI Blues Perspectives:

• Blog from Daniel J. Loepp and Brian Peters
• Blog on our historical collaboration with MHA Keystone