Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Quality Initiative Data Ready for Preview
Hospitals that submitted data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) before Dec. 18 as part of the Quality Initiative can now preview their data before it is posted publicly to the CMS Web site mid-February. Hospitals still have until the first week of February to review their quality data, available on the password-protected Web site, www.qnetexchange.org/public/welcome/index.jsp.

Specialty Hospital Issue Under Debate
A teleconference for continuing legal education credit will bring together key experts next week to debate the issue of specialty hospitals and the federal moratorium pertaining to these facilities. The American Bar Association will present “Specialty Hospitals: What’s Behind the Controversy” on Jan. 28 from noon to 1:30 p.m. EST. The event brings together major stakeholders on both sides of the issue, including advocates from the American Surgical Hospital Association and the Coalition of Full-Service Community Hospitals, to offer information on the moratorium passed by Congress as well as positions on both sides of the issue. Panelists include Scott Becker, McGuire Woods Ross & Hardies; Teresa Brooks, Ungaretti & Harris; and James Unland, The Health Capital Group.

Additional information and registration materials are available online at www.abanet.org/cle/programs/t04shw1.html. Please also contact Joe Ruggles in OHA's Center for Education at joer@ohanet.org if you plan to participate. Those unable to participate can purchase audiotapes through the above Web site. For additional Ohio-specific information on this issue, visit www.ohanet.org/advocacy/state/issues/conflict.htm.

Thursday, January 22, 2004
House Health Committee Assumes New Chair
Rep. John White (R-Kettering) was named chairman of the House Health and Family Services Committee Tuesday by House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford). White, who previously served as the committee's vice chairman, assumes the post from Rep. Greg Jolivette (R-Hamilton). Rep. Jolivette has resigned his House seat to trade public offices with Courtney Combs and become a Butler County Commissioner. Combs was appointed to the 54th House District seat this week.

Board Approves 2004 HCAP Model
At its last meeting the OHA Board of Trustees recommended a distribution model for the 2004 Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP). The recommendation calls for using the structure of the 2002 model for 2004, but limiting the critical access hospitals' pool to allow more equitable distribution to all rural hospitals, and allotting additional funds to pediatric high disproportionate share hospitals. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will likely file rules within the next month, which is required before the distribution model can be finalized.

Friday, January 23, 2004
Hospitals Equipped to Treat Sexual Assault Patients
One of the many ways hospitals serve their communities is by dealing with difficult issues, such as caring for sexual assault victims. To help health care providers on that front, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), in conjunction with the Ohio Attorney General’s office and several other organizations, developed the Ohio Protocol For Sexual Assault Forensic and Medical Examination.

ODH sent the most recent version of the protocol to hospital CEOs and directors of emergency nursing in July 2002. Hospitals that need a replacement or additional copy can contact Judi Moseley, program administrator for the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Prevention Program, at 614.466.1259 or jmoseley@gw.odh.state.oh.us.

CEOs Come Together on New Initiative
OHA will host a video conference next week, bringing together hospital CEOs from around the state to introduce a new and collaborative initiative to increase hospitals' impact in their communities. All CEOs should have received an invitation to the Jan. 29 event, and are encouraged to attend or send a designee to one of 17 designated locations to learn about opportunities this effort holds. RSVPs for the event are requested no later than Monday, Jan. 26. Contact Mary Yost at maryy@ohanet.orgor 614.221.7614 with additional questions.

OHA Congratulates Associates on New Roles
OHA would like to thank David Haas, vice president of administration & member programs, for his 13 years of service upon his retirement. David retired at the start of this year and transitioned to his new position as treasurer of OHA Insurance Solutions, a newly created medical malpractice insurance company. We wish David success in his continuing work with OHAIS.

OHA also congratulates other associates on expanding roles and responsibilities within the organization. Tim Sisson has been promoted to manager of information systems. Tim is responsible for internal network and technical support, technical assistance on the OHA Web site and other Internet functions. Susan Zabo, who contributes to OHA’s pollution prevention efforts, is now also serving as coordinator of incumbent worker training and education. She will work on OHA workforce efforts related to training eligible hospital associates for positions with specific educational or certification requirements.

OHA Center for Education
It’s your last chance to sign up for two special sessions on outpatient revenue through the OHA Center for Education. Don’t miss Update Your Outpatient Revenue Cycle for 2004 on Jan. 27 to learn about 2004 APC rules and a 2004 HCPCS update and on Jan. 28 on the ambulatory surgery reimbursement landscape under APCs. The two-day seminar is at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Columbus. Visit www.ohanet.org/education/education_programs.asp or call 614.221.7614 for more information.