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People often see hospitals through the lens of their personal experiences or through stories from friends and families. A young boy who collided with the coffee table may remember the funny doctors and colorful crafts at the children’s hospital emergency department more than getting stitches. The mother of a premature infant may remember not only her worry and countless trips to the hospital, but the joy and appreciation she felt when her baby was healthy enough to come home. A cancer survivor who gathers with fellow survivors once a month perhaps has memories of fear and concern but also sees the hospital as a source of hope and life. For many Ohioans, a special caregiver comes to mind when they think about their experience with their hospital. The Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) honored 75 outstanding caregivers as nominees for the Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award, recognizing the difference they make in their patients’ lives. The 2008 award went to Michael Kerr, EMT-P, regional learning CPR program instructor at Humility of Mary Health Partners St. Joseph’s Health Center for his work teaching advanced life support skills to hundreds of doctors, nurses and other front line staff every year. Four nominees were also recognized as finalists: Donna Oliver, RN, BSN, MBA, a clinical manager, cardiothoracic/cardiology unit at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights; Karen Behm, chaplain at The Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati; Ginnie Vogts, RN, LISW, coordinator for organ donation services at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus; and Chris Beck, MBA, BA, RVT, manager, vascular lab and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation at Union Hospital in Dover. Hospital caregivers, administrators and support staff make it their mission to care – both for the patients within their facilities and for the communities in which they live. Ohioans see the importance of hospitals when they or someone they love is sick or injured, but many are unaware of the major role their local hospitals play in the big picture of their communities. Does the mother of the preemie realize the same hospital that cared for her baby might be a partner for health promotion with the schools her child will attend? It might be creating the jobs that allow her local economy to thrive? It might be the training ground for her children’s future careers, considering one in 10 Ohio careers are in the field of health care? Expand this view beyond each community to a statewide level and the impact is staggering. In 2006, Ohio hospitals contributed $1.8 billion to their communities in services above and beyond providing medical care. Government reimbursement for Medicaid beneficiaries fell below the cost of care by nearly $650 million, so hospitals covered these costs to ensure continuing care for these vulnerable patients. Hospitals provided $868 million in free or discounted care to low-income Ohioans. And in addition to meeting the immediate needs of their patients, hospitals spent nearly $900 million on programs to prevent future sickness and injury, train future caregivers, engage in vital medical research and strengthen their communities in a host of other areas. Ohio’s network of 178 hospitals buzzes with nearly 329,000 employees, physicians, students and volunteers. Responding to 34 million patient visits each year requires a massive, dedicated and skilled workforce. In addition, many other jobs are created within the community to meet the many needs hospitals have for supplies and outside services. Even in times of recession, health care careers remain stable and the health care sector of the economy stays strong. The American Hospital Association estimates Ohio’s hospitals pumped $62.8 billion into the state’s economy through their purchasing and the wages and salaries paid to employees. Visit www.ohanet.org/benefit/ to view OHA’s 2008 community benefit report, Caring Today for a Healthy Tomorrow, and to read more about the community benefit programs underway in hospitals across the state. |
