Monday, January 28, 2002
Senate Health Chair Supports Newborn Hearing Screening Bill
OHA is working to block passage of an unfunded mandate in the Ohio General Assembly. House Bill 150, sponsored by Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), would require hospitals to perform a mechanical screening for hearing impairments for every newborn, instead of the paper test currently in use.

While supportive of the bill’s intention, OHA is opposed to HB 150 because it does not contain a funding source. Hospitals with obstetric units would be required to assume the initial costs associated with acquiring equipment, which could range from $4,000 to $25,000 per piece of equipment. There are also ongoing costs associated with staffing, maintaining and utilizing the equipment.

HB 150 calls the Ohio Department of Health to establish and maintain a statewide hearing screening, tracking, and early intervention program to identify newborn and infant hearing impairment. The screening would consist of a physiologic test incorporating the use of specialized equipment and testing performed by a nurse under the direction of an audiologist or physician. Supporters of the bill advocate that it would lead to more effective identification of children with hearing problems and would be more cost effective to treat the disorders in the long run.

Opportunity to Recognize Patients
Hospitals have the opportunity to honor patients during National Patient Recognition Week, scheduled for Feb. 1-7. The week also includes National Patient Recognition Day on Feb. 3. Health care professionals and providers are encouraged to reflect and renew their stewardship and dedication to patients, well-being and satisfaction. For more information or a free list of activities, call 205/995-8495 or visit www.strategicvisionsinc.com.

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

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

Ruling on hospital could come in March
Ironton Tribune
Sunday, January 27, 2002
Consultants are still surveying what it will take to reopen Ironton's defunct hospital facility, officials said.

Hospital owner, MCO near pact ProMedica to reopen doors to students
Toledo Blade
Monday, January 28, 2002
Medical residents and students from Medical College of Ohio would be allowed to return to ProMedica Health System-owned facilities in July if the MCO board of trustees approves an agreement tonight.

Tuesday, January 29, 2002
Future Tobacco Grant Opportunities Around the Corner  
Funds should soon be available for hospitals and other organizations to apply for grants for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. Despite reports showing Ohio is not funding tobacco programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended level, significant funds will be spent in Ohio to help and encourage Ohioans to kick the habit.

Although legislation addressing the state budget deficit redirects about $240 million in payments slotted for the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation (TUPCF) to fill the budget gap, TUPCF has already received over $350 million from previous tobacco settlement payments. This money will be used in part for grants for smoking cessation and prevention programs throughout Ohio. Helping to build pressure on the state to spend these funds on tobacco grant programs is the report citing Ohio as funding tobacco programs at only 35 percent of the CDC’s recommended level. The full report is available at www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements. More information about the grant solicitation process will be made public once the process has been established, but initial grants may not be awarded until later this year.

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

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

Nurses lend an ear
Akron Beacon Journal
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
These registered nurses are sitting down on the job. And their patients are the ones who benefit.

Body scan provides picture of health
Columbus Dispatch
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
The EBT Body Scan is "very accurate'' in detecting heart disease, lung cancer, aneurysms, osteoporosis and tumors in the liver, pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands and lymph nodes, it says.  

Wednesday, January 30, 2002
Ohio Flu Season Mild So Far
Ohio appears to be experiencing a mild flu season according to the National Flu Surveillance Network, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and hospital reports. The National Flu Surveillance Network, available at www.fluwatch.com, places Ohio on a "watch" list with flu cases reported but not at an alarming rate. The CDC also reports Ohio is experiencing a mild flu season, with the report available at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/weekly.htm. Reports from hospitals show that some have been operating at 100 percent capacity but that other hospitals in the same region have beds readily available.

OHA and the metropolitan hospital associations are monitoring the situation and will ask the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to authorize the use of rehabilitation and skilled nursing beds for acute inpatient care if flu cases becomes widespread and hospital capacity tightens. However, before such a waiver would be issued, Nick Baird, M.D., director of the Ohio Department of Health, must decide the situation warrants a waiver. CMS has said it is will not issue waivers for individual hospitals or even regionally, but only on a statewide basis. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)  

Five New Diseases Added to Newborn Screening Program
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) this week notified health care providers that five new diseases have been added to the diseases for which hospitals must screen newborns. Effective tomorrow, ODH will begin testing for isovaleric acidemia, propionic acidemia, methylmalonic acidemia, citrullinemia, and argininosuccinic aciduria. There is no fee increase for hospitals and the procedure for newborn screening remains the same with these additional diseases, which were recently approved by the Public Health Council. ODH is also expected to test for additional diseases as part of a pilot project beginning in a few months. OHA will keep members apprised of the situation. Rules governing newborn screening can be found at www.odh.state.oh.us/rules/rulesfinal.html. (Rick Sites, mailto:ricks@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

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

Hospital relocation foes upset by potential Turtlecreek deal
Middletown Journal
Wednesday, January 30, 2002
LEBANON ‹ A group of Turtlecreek Township residents wanted to make one thing clear at the trustees' meeting Monday night ‹ they don't want any part of the proposed relocation of Middletown Regional Hospital to the Greentree/Union roads area.

Doctors North has little time left as a hospital
Columbus Dispatch
Wednesday, January 30, 2002
With only a half-dozen patients walking through its doors each day, Doctors North Hospital is counting down its final weeks as a full-service hospital.

Obesity open invitation to diabetes
Cincinnati Enquirer
Wednesday, January 30, 2002
For Drew Cremisio and Gail Perry, the symptoms were classic: Fatigue, excessive thirst and frequent urination added up to diabetes.

Thursday, January 31, 2002
Surveys Indicate Hospital Labor Market Still Tightening
A survey commissioned by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and other groups indicates the hospital workforce shortage is continuing to worsen, and a separate survey by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) indicates hospitals are implementing strategies to fill vacant nursing positions. Results of the two surveys by national health organizations on the health care workforce were released this week.

The report by AHA and other organizations is based on 2001 data. It paints a picture of what hospitals are experiencing and provides a look at the numbers and implications of the workforce shortage. According to that report, vacancy rates for registered nurses, pharmacists and imaging radiology technicians are more than 10 percent, with more than one in seven hospitals reporting nurse vacancy rates of higher than 20 percent. According to 60 percent of hospitals, the recruitment of nurses has become even more difficult in the last two years.

The AONE report is based on a survey of 693 hospitals in 2000. It turned up similar results, with a national average turnover rate for nurses in 2000 at 21.3 percent and a national average acute-care hospital nurse vacancy rate of 10.2 percent. The Midwest had the lowest nurse vacancy rate compared to other regions at 8.9 percent, and a turnover rate of 20.2 percent. Steps hospitals are taking to address the problem include improving staff satisfaction and input, providing bonuses and flexible scheduling and reaching out to nursing schools and colleges. Fifty-four percent reported having agreements with schools of nursing to provide clinical training to more than 25 nursing students per year.

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

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

Hospital group opposes hearing tests
Canton Repository
Thursday, January 31, 2002
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Hospital Association told its members this week it will continue its effort to block legislation that would require testing of newborns for hearing loss.

Region manages to dodge flu bug
Cincinnati Post
Thursday, January 31, 2002
Along with emerging daffodils and idle snow shovels, another oddity has pervaded Greater Cincinnati this mild winter: an absence of influenza.

OPINION: Don't cut corners in providing nursing care
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Thursday, January 31, 2002
Patients and family members of patients in long- term-care facilities are facing yet another decrease in nursing care.

Friday, February 1, 2002
New Rule Removes Barrier for English-Speaking Nurses
A rule filed by the Ohio Board of Nursing in mid-January and effective Feb. 1 makes it easier for English-speaking foreign nurses to practice in Ohio. The rule exempts nurses who speak English as their primary language from taking the Test for Spoken English.

Also effective Feb. 1 are revised rules regarding nursing delegation, standards for nurses and prelicensure education of nursing students. The rules on delegation (OAC 4723-13) include conditions for delegating the administration of over-the-counter drugs. Previously, delegation of OTC drugs was not permitted.

The new rules will be available on the Ohio Board of Nursing’s Web site at www.state.oh.us/nur/. (Jean Scholz, jeans@ohanet.org)

CMS Issues Clarification H & P Requirements
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter to the state survey agencies to clarify the history and physical (H&P) requirements for hospital admissions and outpatient surgeries. This is a further clarification of an earlier letter. According to the most recent letter, if a patient has a H&P completed within 30 days of hospital admission or outpatient surgery, the H&P must be updated. The clarification letter is available on the OHA Web site at www.ohanet.org/csr/resource/publicresource.htm. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

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

Ohio gets $34 million to fight bioterrorism
Columbus Dispatch
Friday, Febuary 01, 2002
WASHINGTON -- Ohio will receive $34.4 million from the federal government to help the state prepare public- health systems to cope with bioterrorism attacks, federal officials announced yesterday.

Nurses online 24-7 at MetroHealth site
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Friday, Febuary 01, 2002
MetroHealth Medical Center plans to offer advice from cyberspace.

St. Luke’s head takes the reins of state group
Toledo Blade
Friday, Febuary 01, 2002
St. Luke’s head takes the reins of state group Frank J. Bartell III, president and chief executive officer of St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee, has begun a one-year chairmanship of the Ohio Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees.