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Monday, March 29, 2004
At the end of last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the budget resolution for federal fiscal year 2005 without including protection for Medicaid, which could be at risk later in the federal budget process. Each spring’s budget resolution sets out the federal government’s spending limits, while the summer budget appropriations process determines which specific programs receive funding. The Senate version of the budget resolution includes an amendment, supported by OHA and Ohio Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH), to protect Medicaid from reductions. The resolutions now move toward reconciliation in conference committee, where OHA will advocate for inclusion of the amendment in the final version.
To learn more about other federal issues affecting Ohio’s hospitals, visit www.ohanet.org/advocacy/federal/ and for additional information on Ohio’s Medicaid program visit www.ohanet.org/medicaid/. (Jonathan Archey, jonathana@ohanet.org)
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Middletown Regional Health System and Premier Health Partners (PHP), Dayton, last week announced that they will enter into a joint operating agreement. The partnership is not a merger, but will allow the organizations to make joint decisions and offer a wider range of quality services while maximizing effectiveness in areas such as information technology. The two organizations will continue conversations over the next several months and a definitive agreement is expected by mid-summer.
Middletown Regional Hospital will join Miami Valley Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in their affiliation with PHP. For more information on the new affiliation, view a news release at www.middletownhospital.org/0304_mrhsphp.htm.
Initiative Promotes Healthy Lifestyles for Ohioans
Aimed at reducing Ohio’s dangerous obesity epidemic and the health risks
associated with being overweight, a new statewide initiative will work
to increase the physical activity and decrease the calorie consumption
of Ohioans. Ohio On the Move will provide step counters, informational
materials, special events and technical assistance to participants,
encouraging them to improve their exercise and eating habits for a
healthier lifestyle.
The Health Improvement Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati, a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Greater Cincinnati Health Council, will head up the program, which will begin in the Greater Cincinnati area and then branch out to other areas of the state. In its first year, the initiative will also partner with existing health promoting organizations, the state wellness initiative Healthy Ohioans and federal efforts. Ohio On the Move is an affiliate of the national America On the Move initiative launched in 2003 to encourage Americans to walk an extra 2,000 steps a day and eat 100 fewer calories a day. To view a news release on the Ohio initiative, visit www.the-collaborative.org, and for ongoing information, stay tuned to www.americaonthemove.org/oh.
Wednesday,
March 31, 2004
House Health Committee Assumes New Leadership
With the official announcement that Speaker of
the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford) has named Rep. John White
(R-Kettering) as chair of the Ohio House Health and Family Services
Committee, the committee will resume hearings on health care related
legislation. White, who previously served as the committee’s vice chair,
succeeds Rep. Greg Jolivette (R-Hamilton). White has a human resources
background that will likely shape his perspective on issues before the
committee. Replacing White as vice chair is Diana Fessler (R-New
Carlisle). Fessler is known for her thorough and thoughtful approach to
deliberating issues.
The House health committee weighs in on a variety of issue affecting Ohio’s hospitals. For more information on OHA-tracked legislation in this committee and others, visit www.ohanet.org/advocacy/state/resources/status125.doc. View the OHA legislative directory online at www.ohanet.org/advocacy/state/resources/legdirectory.pdf. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)
Sexual Assault Group Seeks Hospital Rep
The Ohio Sexual Assault Task Force is seeking a hospital representative
to serve the remainder of 2004. The task force identifies needs, gaps in
service, barriers and successes related to sexual assault services in
Ohio. It was convened by the Ohio Department of Health and is made up of
service providers, law enforcement, criminal justice, advocates, a
representative of the Attorney General's Office, and the governor's
office. The next meeting is June 17 in Columbus. Please contact Bridget
Gargan at bridgetg@ohanet.org
or 614.221.7614 if interested in joining the task force.
Thursday,
April 1, 2004
The Ohio Patient Safety Institute (OPSI) has collaborated with other state health care organizations to develop a statewide surgical and procedural protocol to help prevent the occurrence of wrong site, wrong procedure and wrong person surgeries. Applying universal principles and implementation across all Ohio hospitals benefits physicians and other health care professionals who practice in multiple settings and helps further enhance patient safety.
The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) established a Universal Protocol in 2003 and hospitals must comply with the protocol by July 1, 2004. The Ohio Surgical/Procedural Verification Protocol, developed by OPSI and other state health care organizations, includes implementation advice and gives Ohio hospitals a head start on compliance with the JCAHO protocol. The statewide protocol -- the first in the nation -- is endorsed by OPSI, the Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio State Medical Association and the Ohio State Medical Board. The new statewide protocol, as well as JCAHO’s Universal Protocol, is now online at www.ohiopatientsafety.org/Correctsite/correctsite.htm. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)
Mark the Date!
Billing, Collections Seminar
An April 27 seminar, Hospital Billing and Collection Practices:
Current Issues and Threats to Tax Exemption, will offer hospital
leaders an overview of the growing spotlight on hospital billing and
collection issues. It will address initiatives from state, federal and
even local governments aimed at encouraging and/or requiring hospitals
to account for their community benefits and to revise their current
practices. Participants will also discuss strategies for communicating
their policies to the community.
The one-day seminar, to be held at the Villa Milano in Columbus, Ohio, is approved by the Accountancy Board of Ohio for 5 CPE credits. Hospital Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Patient Account managers, Legal Counsel, Compliance Directors and Public Relations Directors are encouraged to attend. For more information, or to register for the seminar, visit www.ohanet.org/education/education_programs.asp.
The OHA Center for Education also offers the following upcoming seminars. Visit www.ohanet.org/education/education_programs.asp or call 614.221.7614 for more information.
§
JCAHO's New Infection Control Standards: Strategies for Improving Patient SafetyApril 30 - Dublin
§ Environment of Care Management
April 15 - Independence
April 16 - Dublin
Friday, April 2, 2004
Involuntary Admission Form Now Required
The Attorney General's office today approved a rule, developed in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Mental Health, requiring hospitals to submit a form to the state of Ohio when a patient has been involuntarily admitted. The requirement stems from legislation enacted earlier this year, House Bill 12, allowing Ohioans to carry concealed weapons.
H.B. 12, which takes effect April 8, requires county sheriffs to obtain a criminal background check and a mental competency check through the Attorney General's office before granting a concealed carry license. To ensure that the state has an updated database of individuals who may be considered mentally incompetent, the bill requires a hospital's chief clinical officer to notify the Attorney General's office via a faxed form when a patient has involuntarily been admitted to a hospital. The form includes a definition of patients the Attorney General will consider involuntarily admitted as well as instructions for submission. Forms will be sent to hospitals in print and electronic format, and will available on the OHA Web site, early next week. Hospitals should begin using the form on Thursday, April 8.
For additional hospital-specific resources on the new concealed carry law, hospitals should visit www.ohanet.org/advocacy/state/issues/concealed.htm. For information assisting the general public on the new law, visit the Ohio Attorney General's Web site at www.ag.state.oh.us/web_applications/concealcarry/About.asp.
Hospital Safety Campaign Kicks Off
Hospitals don’t want to miss out on the 51st annual Ohio Hospital
Safety Campaign, which awards hospitals for excellent workplace safety.
The campaign was begun in 1953 by OHA and the Industrial Commission of
Ohio. Hospitals are asked to submit 2003 safety data from the federal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration to OHA by April 15.
Hospitals with the best safety records will receive awards and all participants will receive certificates. This year’s honorees will also be recognized for their outstanding safety records at the OHA Recognition Dinner June 14. More information on the safety awards and recognition dinner are available at www.ohanet.org/annualmeeting/Awards/. (Rhonda Major-Mack, rhondam@ohanet.org)