Minnesota Hospital Association recognizes M Health Fairview for four community-centered projects
M Health Fairview is a leader in providing innovative, compassionate care to the people of Minnesota. This week, the Minnesota Hospital Association recognized four projects that illustrate how our health system is challenging itself to do things in a different way, monitoring progress, and inspiring bigger changes in healthcare delivery.
“The projects recognized by the Minnesota Hospital Association reflect our commitments to employee satisfaction, excellent patient care, sustainability, and health equity,” said Jaya Kumar, MD, MBA, chief medical officer with Fairview Health Services. “These accolades are a testament to the hard work and innovation of our team, and we are inspired to continue advancing the standards of care and service for our patients and communities.”
Here are four ways M Health Fairview is making healthcare in Minnesota better and inspiring future innovation.
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital empowers nurses to streamline processes
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital was recognized with the Exceptional Minnesota Hospital Workplace award for its commitment to enhancing employee satisfaction, retention, and fostering a culture of innovation in nursing practice. In turn, these focus areas help elevate the care experience for patients and the community.
Hospital leadership empowers nurses to collaborate and implement systemwide process improvements. Those changes have improved employee satisfaction and streamlined processes that have led to better patient care outcomes.
This proactive approach to nurturing talent and fostering leadership among nursing staff sets a benchmark for other healthcare institutions. We are confident that the practice changes will inspire and elevate the healthcare experience of patients beyond M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital.
Observation Unit at M Health Fairview St. John’s Hospital enhances patient care
Recognition for Innovation in Patient Care went to M Health Fairview St. John’s Hospital for its short-stay observation unit opened in January 2024. The 16-bed facility was built to support rising patient volumes.
Using pre-fabrication construction techniques, this unit was built offsite and installed without disrupting hospital operations. It enhances patient care by providing a comfortable, flexible environment for recovery and observation while optimizing hospital resources. This project exemplifies innovative solutions in healthcare, reducing construction time by 50% and ensuring high-quality, durable infrastructure. Our health system has since opened an 11-bed expansion to the observation unit at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center – East Bank.
Shuttle Conversion at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center reduces hospital’s carbon footprint
M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center and partner Cornerstone Parking were recognized for sustainability for an initiative that replaced five of 12 shuttles with electric vehicles. The shift to using cleaner energy is part of a commitment to long-term sustainability and reduced environmental footprint goals while still providing excellent service.
The electric vehicles:
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Get the equivalent of 60 miles per gallon, which is expected to save 162,000 pounds of carbon annually.
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Reduce noise pollution in residential areas.
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Require 40% less maintenance than gas-powered shuttles, which also provides cost savings to the health system.
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Promote cleaner air quality, especially around vulnerable populations.
We plan to expand the electric fleet to other M Health Fairview healthcare facilities, multiplying its impact.
Cultural brokers support health while honoring cultural norms
Fairview cultural brokers bridge gaps by translating and supporting people as they navigate across healthcare, schools, and other systems to ultimately build self-sufficiency. For their work, the Fairview Community Advancement team was recognized with a community benefit award.
Our cultural brokers serve as liaisons to the Karen, Hmong, Latine, African American, and Native American communities. They understand health and healing from their community’s perspective and mainstream culture. Cultural brokers help our neighbors access healthcare, find affordable housing, apply for employment, navigate county systems, secure food and other basic resources, complete legal paperwork, and more. In addition, they strengthen community members’ abilities to advocate for themselves.
Of the 411 clients who worked with a cultural broker and completed a survey, 89% said working with a cultural broker decreased their stress. The program is one way that Fairview is advancing health equity and improving health and wellbeing beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics and into the community.
