M-LiNk is peer-based learning opportunity for hospitals to:

1. Identify best practices correlated with a reduction in mortality;
2. Adopt system supports used in high-reliability organizations; and
3. Implement protocols to identify and differentially treat high-risk patients.

M-LiNk Approach: M-LiNk will promote a series of MHA- and locally-sponsored educational offerings and related programs focused on reducing hospital mortality.  M-LiNk will provide access to faculty experts, evidence-based interventions and local best practices to improve related structures, processes and outcomes.  The sessions will be hosted as a combination of in-person meetings in various locations around the Commonwealth, in addition to virtual webinar events.  

M-LiNk Portfolio: the portfolio of learning opportunities will include the following focus areas:

1. Structures and Processes: M-LiNk will promote open enrollment in a web-based learning series on implementing Hospital Mortality Review Programs, including peer-reviewed program criteria, action elements and suggested stages of development for building a mature, highly effective Mortality Program.
2. Outcomes - Part I:  Sepsis. This includes opportunities for voluntary participation in either of two M-LiNk offerings on Sepsis, the leading cause of death in hospitalized patients:
   a. AIMS - Assessment of Improvement Methodology in Sepsis: A study funded by NIH/AHRQ to evaluate the impact of traditional web-based CME training vs. participation in a virtual Learning Collaborative on Sepsis.  Participants will be randomly assigned to either intervention group for an 18-month implementation period.  The CME-assigned group will also have the opportunity to participate in the Learning Collaborative intervention for the second phase of the project. Participants will receive a wealth of resources and lessons learned from wide-scale implementation of the Sepsis Bundles, training and mentoring by faculty from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.
   b. M-LiNk Sepsis Web-based Learning Series:  MHA will host a series of web-based sessions delivered by local experts on evidence-based interventions for sepsis. 
3. Outcomes - Part II: Other Drivers of Mortality.  The remaining focus of the learning network will include a series of web-based sessions on common drivers of hospital mortality.

M-LiNk offerings are open to all MHA hospital members and are free of charge.  Hospital participants may participate at will, with only pre-registration required for each offering.  MHA will not require hospitals to report any data, other than participation in MHA surveys to share feedback on the program offerings and any progress made as a result of participation.  The objective of M-LiNk is to provide hospitals with information and resources to improve internal systems and processes to reduce hospital mortality.   

M-LiNk Timeline: The following is a timeline for proposed M-LiNk offerings.  A more detailed schedule can be found here.