Monday, September 24, 2001
Agencies Caution Against Antibiotic Use for Bioterrorism
State agencies are cautioning health care providers against indiscriminately prescribing antibiotics in response to bioterrorism fears without evidence of a biological attack. In an alert sent by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) in conjunction with the Ohio State Medical Board, the Ohio State Pharmacy Board, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, and the Infectious Disease Society of Ohio, the agencies noted the potential danger of increasing the drug-resistance of infection-producing bacteria with the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Government and health officials have been working and continue to work on response plans regarding the risk of a biological threat and recommend that providers not prescribe antibiotics in response to bioterrorism fears.

In a recent meeting of the ODH Director’s Advisory Committee on Emerging Infections and Bioterrorism, the committee discussed the dangers of indiscriminately prescribing a wide-spectrum antibiotic such as penicillin for the infection streptococcus pneumoniae. Ohio is currently experiencing increased rates of drug-resistance to penicillin, with resistance rising from 11 percent in 1998 to 15 percent in 2000. Drug resistance is increasing for other classes of antibiotics as well. ODH is urging the judicious use of antibiotics as it continues to monitor the problem. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)

Flu Vaccine on the Way
Flu manufacturers are reporting that 56 percent of this year’s flu vaccine will arrive by the end of October and only 13 percent will arrive after the end of November. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has already received 18 percent of its 260,000 ordered units of the vaccine. Early signs indicate this year’s flu season, which usually peaks around January, will not be severe. However, prices for the vaccine have doubled, causing some physicians to stop giving the vaccine in their offices. This means consumers will be more reliant on other locations such as grocery stores, drug stores and ambulatory care centers for the vaccine. ODH will soon add to its Web site a real-time survey system for reporting and viewing flu cases around the state. The site will be available before flu season peaks. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com.

The new pulse of health care
Cincinnati Business Courier
Monday, September 24, 2001
New technology is changing health care.
"E-health" is impacting everything -- the way patients and their physicians interact, the way hospitals order supplies, the way insurers file claims.

Overflow of donors
Dayton Business Journal
Monday, September 24, 2001
If there's anything America has taught the world in the aftermath of the East Coast terrorist attacks it's that its citizens mobilize in lightning speed in the face of grave danger.

Long road to recovery for victims burned in attacks
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Monday, September 24, 2001
Severely burned victims of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11 have a much greater chance of surviving today than 20 years ago, but the excruciating injuries require the most intensive care in medicine. "If you had a choice between 30 percent [coverage] with a third-degree burn and getting hit by a Mack truck, you should probably pick the truck," said Dr. Robert Klein, director of the regional burn center at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron.

Tuesday, September 25, 2001
AHA Provides Disaster Readiness Advisory
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has issued an advisory to hospitals on disaster readiness in response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. The advisory includes a checklist for hospitals to consider while evaluating their disaster readiness plans. AHA advises hospitals to: focus on a general “all-hazards” plan; upgrade disaster plans to include components for mass casualty terrorism, including chemical and biological agents; integrate plans with the community emergency response agencies; develop a plan to support the families of staff members; develop a simplified patient registration procedure; review back-up communications capabilities and ensure information systems and data storage have offsite capabilities.

The checklist further recommends talking with community leaders, reviewing the supply strategy, examining how to protect the physical security of the facility, ensuring hospital and medical staff report unexpected illness patterns, and reviewing the inventory of reserve response teams likely to be called to duty. The advisory, available online at www.aha.org, also includes background information and a list of Web-based resources hospitals can use to refine their disaster plans. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com.

County's emergency plan covers bioterror
Hamilton Journal-News
Tuesday, September 25, 2001
As the United States prepares for possible military strikes in the Middle East, the question has to be asked: How prepared are local governments to handle a terrorist attack? What about the threat of biological or chemical warfare?

Two E. coli scares at fairs have health officials wary
Columbus Dispatch
Tuesday, September 25, 2001
The fair season is just about over in Ohio, but for those that remain, suspected E. coli outbreaks at fairs in Wyandot and Lorain counties have officials on guard.

Hospice gardens provide beauty, peace
Dayton Daily News
Tuesday, September 25, 2001
The seasons of nature and the seasons of life--both are honored and nurtured at Hospice of Dayton. And the gardens surrounding the two connecting buildings blend in beautifully with hospice care philosophy: To nourish the patients both physically and spiritually.  

Wednesday, September 26, 2001
GAO, CMS Praise Medicare Contractor Reform Bill
The General Accounting Office (GAO) this week gave a favorable review of the pending Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act of 2001, H.R. 2768, saying it should help reduce numerous instances of physicians and providers not receiving complete, accurate, clear and timely guidance on Medicare billing and payment policies. GAO Director Leslie Aronovitz told the House Ways and Means health subcommittee that many of the bill’s provisions would help providers comply with Medicare billing requirements. Echoing the position, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Tom Scully reiterated his agency's plan to streamline regulatory publications and improve provider education. The bill is expected to be brought to the House floor in the coming months of this session. H.R. 2768 can be found at thomas.loc.gov. The hearing can be viewed in the healthcast section at www.kaisernetwork.org.

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com.

When doctors go off to war, hospitals suffer
Columbus Dispatch
Wednesday, September 26, 2001
COSHOCTON, Ohio -- When America goes to war and Maj. Francisco Jaume is called to action by his reserve unit, Coshocton County will lose its only orthopedic surgeon.

Emotions, fears remain strong
Akron Beacon Journal
Wednesday, September 26, 2001
State health officials are urging doctors not to prescribe antibiotics for patients to stash away in case of a bioterrorism attack.

Drug costs force hospitals to cut staff, study contends
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Wednesday, September 26, 2001
The escalating cost of prescription drugs is forcing hospitals to cut back staff and other services, according to a study commissioned by Rep. Dennis Kucinich.  

Thursday, September 27, 2001
Insurance Industry Down But Not Out After Attacks
Insurance companies nationwide are being impacted by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but are expected to bounce back.

The OHA Board of Trustees at its most recent meeting heard reports from Ray Mazzotta, president and chief operating officer of the Ohio Hospital Insurance Company, on the impact of the attacks on the insurance industry. Non life-insured losses associated with the attacks are estimated at approximately $30 billion, and represent the largest losses in history for worker’s compensation, aviation, property, and life insurance. These losses constitute about 10 percent of the total surplus of the primary property and casualty insurance industry. The reinsurance market’s $120-150 million surplus will shoulder a large portion of these losses, making the attacks one of the largest reinsurance losses in history as well. With the possibility that some reinsurance companies will fold, the overall reinsurance market could shrink by 25-30 percent, driving up prices and causing stricter terms.

On the positive side, a group of property, casualty and life insurance executives told President George W. Bush in a recent meeting that in total, the insurance industry will be able to meet its obligations, predicting that blue chip and reinsurance companies will fair the best. These two types of insurance companies will benefit from a “flight to quality” and see an increased demand for their products.

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com.

Ohio faces budget cuts, Taft warns
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Thursday, September 27, 2001
Columbus - Anticipated state budget cuts could force new layoffs, close four state psychiatric hospitals and renew debate over allowing electronic slot machines at state-licensed race tracks.

Euclid Hospital to close once busy maternity unit
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Thursday, September 27, 2001
Euclid - Euclid Hospital will close its maternity unit next month because of a sharp decline in the hospital's once-bustling birth business.

Flu vaccine supply drops, cost rises
Dayton Daily News
Thursday, September 27, 2001
XENIA | Increased flu shot prices have forced the Ohio Health Department to buy fewer vaccines than usual and put new restrictions on who can get them from local health departments, a spokesman said Wednesday.  

Friday, September 28, 2001
Hospitals Take Lead on Workforce Shortage
Central Ohio hospitals this week kicked off a multi-organization collaborative to attract and retain talented and dedicated health care workers into the workforce. At a full-day program spearheaded by OhioHealth and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, “The Future of the Patient Care Workforce,” hospitals took beginning steps to create a Health Care Workforce Institute, a partnership of Central Ohio hospitals, nursing schools, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the local workforce policy board and other pertinent entities.

The collaborative has committed to enhance patient care, alleviate or reduce shortages of health care workers, improve the attractiveness of hospital work environments, and improve the quality of health care for Central Ohioans. The group will meet again in one month to discuss next steps, structure and function of the workforce institute. (Jean Scholz, jeans@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com.

Emergency service hurt by lack of operators
Toledo Blade
Friday, September 28, 2001
Tempers flashing, their voices climbing, and both worried that the situation might escalate out of control, Cheryl and Matt Bellfy turned to 911 for help.

Fewer vaccines prompt state to limit flu shots
Canton Repository
Friday, September 28, 2001
The Ohio Health Department will buy fewer flu vaccines this year and tighten restrictions on who can get flu shots at local health departments because of a sharp increase in price, officials said Thursday.

OPINION: Panic is not the best weapon against bioterrorism
Akron Beacon Journal
Friday, September 28, 2001
The nightmarish scenario is straight out of a James Bond movie: small, low-flying planes spraying a deadly germ or chemical over the landscape, incapacitating or killing thousands of innocent Americans in a continuation of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.