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Monday, February 23, 2004
Tomorrow the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the “Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Access to Care Act,” a narrower version of medical liability legislation that stalled in the Senate last year. The bill, introduced by Sens. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and John Ensign (R-NV), applies only to obstetrical and gynecological services, where access is in serious jeopardy due to skyrocketing liability costs. The bill would cap non-economic damages at $250,000 and limit punitive damages to the larger of $250,000 or twice the amount of economic damages awarded.
With President George W. Bush urging Congress to send him reform legislation this year, the Senate may act on this bill. A much broader House version of the medical liability bill, House Resolution 5, passed last spring by a party line vote of 229-196. Hospital leaders are encouraged to contact Ohio’s senators Mike DeWine (R-Columbus) and George Voinovich (R-Columbus) immediately, voicing support for Senate Bill 2061 and urging them to draw support from other senators for the passage of the bill. Both Ohio senators have indicated support for medical liability reform, but neither has indicated a position on this bill.
To find contact information for Ohio’s senators, visit www.ohanet.org/advocacy/federal/resources/congressional_delegation.asp. For more information on state and federal legislation related to the medical malpractice crisis, visit www.ohanet.org/med-mal/legislation/. (Jonathan Archey, jonathana@ohanet.org)
Event Offers Tools to Create a Safe Workplace
Registration is open for the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation’s Ohio
Safety Congress & Expo on March 23-25 at the Cincinnati Convention
Center. Under the theme “Safety Counts for Ohio!” participants can share
ideas and successes, learn from the experiences of other employers and
view the latest and best occupational safety products and services. The
event offers keynote speakers, 150 hours of free educational sessions,
225 exhibitors, a forklift rodeo and networking opportunities.
For more information, or to register, visit www.ohio.bwc.com, call 1.800.OHIOBWC (press 22 and then 2) or e-mail SafetyCongress@ohiobwc.com.
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Hospitals are invited to recognize individuals or organizations that have made a noteworthy contribution to health care in Ohio by submitting a nomination for one of the following awards:
- Donald R. Newkirk Award
Nominations must be received using the official nomination form by March 19. E-mail nominations are required. To make a nomination, visit www.ohanet.org/annualmeeting/Awards/default.htm and download a Microsoft Word version of the official nomination form, which should be e-mailed to Tiffany Himmelreich at tiffanyh@ohanet.org.
Awards will be presented to award recipients, and all nominees for the Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award, at the OHA Recognition Dinner June 14 as part of the OHA Annual Meeting. Nominations for health care worker of the year should be submitted by this Friday, Feb. 27. For more, visit www.ohanet.org/annualmeeting/Awards/default.htm. (Tiffany Himmelreich, tiffanyh@ohanet.org)
Trustee Dinner Series
Hospital CEOs, board members and other senior staff are invited to the
OHA Center for Education’s Trustee Dinner Series, "Building Better
Relationships With Physicians." The session will offer tools to address
problems and misconceptions between hospitals and physicians. There is
still time to register for one of the following sessions:
More information is available at www.ohanet.org/education/education_programs.asp or by calling 614.221.7614.
Wednesday,
February 25, 2004
Draft Rule Broadens Nurse Aide Registry
Nursing assistants working in Ohio hospitals who have also successfully
achieved the state-tested nurse aide requirements could qualify to
remain on the Nurse Aide Registry under new draft rules developed by the
Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Many hospital-employed nursing
assistants and patient care assistants have previously completed a
training course required to work as a nurse aide in a long-term care
facility. If passed, the new rules would allow these associates to be
included in ODH's long-term care Nurse Aide Registry.
The rule will be introduced to the Public Health Council on March 4, and hospitals are encouraged to provide comments on the rule to OHA this week. The new draft rule, designated as 3701-17-07.3, is available online at www.odh.state.oh.us/ under “Rules and Regulations.” OHA will also submit comments in favor of the rule to ODH. (Jean Scholz, jeans@ohanet.org)
OHA Celebrates Beginnings and Endings
After 37 years with OHA, Marilyn Steitz retired as director of
unemployment compensation at the end of January. She spent her first
five years with OHA as assistant to Donald R. Newkirk, who was OHA's
president, and she then worked with Ohio’s hospitals, serving as liaison
between the hospitals and the actuarial company among other things. OHA
thanks Marilyn for her years of service and wishes her all the best in
her retirement.
OHA would also like to welcome Maggie Hatem, who joins OHA this week as the assistant to the director of the Foundation for Healthy Communities. Maggie will work with foundation director Lynne Ayres to coordinate grant cycle activity and grants and other foundation activities. Maggie can be reached at 614.221.7614 or maggieh@ohanet.org.
Thursday,
February 26, 2004
The Court of Appeals Sixth Appellate District on Feb. 13 unanimously ruled in favor of Firelands Community Hospital in Sandusky in a patient confidentiality case. The appeals court overturned the ruling of a lower court to require the hospital to provide to a Sandusky-based law firm a list of patients deemed by the law firm as potential plaintiffs in its class action suit against Firelands. The lawsuit alleges the hospital mishandled fetal tissues from miscarriages. Unanimously ruling in favor of the hospital were Judges Judy Lanzinger, Peter Handwork and Mark Pietrykowski.
At issue in the appeal was whether a hospital can be compelled to disclose medical records without the patient’s consent, which would be required if the lower court’s decision had been upheld. Patients’ medical records are protected and the unauthorized release of patient information is generally prohibited under both Ohio and federal law. The appeals court cited other ways the law firm could identify class members and obtain consent, such as by publishing a notice in local newspapers.
OHA made an amicus appearance on behalf of Firelands and in opposition to the release of patient information without consent. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)
Friday, February 27, 2004
Hospital PAC Kicks Off 2004 Campaign
In addition to the health care services they provide to their communities, Ohio hospitals and health systems can positively influence the state’s economy, the job market and even the legislative arena. Through Friends of Ohio Hospitals, the political action committee (PAC) of Ohio hospitals and health systems, health care organizations can have a voice on the key issues they face by supporting candidates with responsible health care platforms.
The PAC this week kicks off its 2004 campaign, accepting contributions to use toward supporting candidates who have a continued commitment to hospital issues. By contributing to candidates who support health care issues, hospitals and health systems are working to ensure that critical health care votes in the Ohio General Assembly and Congress are cast by officials who understand hospital needs as these facilities continue to provide top-quality care in an ever-changing environment. For more information on Friends of Ohio Hospitals, or to make a contribution, visit www.ohanet.org/advocacy/pac.htm or contact Jeff Klingler at jeffk@ohanet.org or 614.221.7614.
Board Weighs in on Safe Staffing
At its last meeting, the OHA Board of Trustees approved a statewide
position statement on safe staffing, developed by the Ohio Organization
of Nurse Executives, to help hospitals ensure that nurses provide the
highest quality care for their patients while maintaining positive work
environments for employees. The position statement addresses recently
introduced legislation, House Bill 382, to prohibit hospitals from
requiring registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to work
overtime. All Ohio hospitals are asked to support and adopt provisions
of the position statement, which is available online at
www.ohanet.org/advocacy/state/issues/position/OONEStatementonSafeNurseStaffing.pdf.
The Board also approved OHA’s 2004 Work Plan. Major objectives are to protect Medicaid and Medicare funding, increase federal Hospital Care Assurance Program funding, uphold recently enacted tort reform legislation, and educate voters about the importance of the Ohio Supreme Court.
Focusing on the statewide advocacy campaign, the Board approved a resolution urging all hospitals to support the campaign, with board members individually pledging to champion the campaign in their own hospitals and health systems. A new section of the OHA Web site (www.ohanet.org/CareCampaign/) will serve as an ongoing resource for campaign information and materials, including a five-minute video demonstrating the breadth and depth of the impact hospitals make on Ohio.
As part of a discussion on reforming health care, the Board endorsed the American Hospital Association’s Seven Steps to a Healthier America. Hospitals are encouraged to share the messages with hospital employees, legislators and policymakers using a message card available at www.hospitalconnect.com/aha/campaign2004/index.html.
Finally, the Board also approved three new members of the Foundation for Healthy Communities Board of Directors: Kimberly Bordenkircher, CEO of Henry County Hospital, Napoleon; Anthon Brooks, Special Assistant to the Executive Director at The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus; and Thomas Cecconi, President and CEO at Mercy Medical Center, Canton. They will serve three-year terms beginning in 2004.