Monday, October 9, 2006
OHA offices closed to allow staff the opportunity to attend the funeral of David Hendershot.
 

Tuesday, October 10, 2006
OHA Weighs In at Specialty Hospital Forum

OHA called for a clearer definition of a hospital in the last of three public forums on specialty hospitals. As a means to prevent the potential negative impact of limited-service, physician-owned hospitals on Ohio’s community hospitals, OHA Senior Vice President Reed Fraley testified in favor of a definition in which hospitals provide access to nursing services, physicians and an emergency department 24 hours and day, seven days a week, along with providing basic laboratory, radiology, and dietary services, along with objective quality assurance and infection control services. Also, Fraley said hospitals should have transfer agreements and participate in Medicare to meet the definition.

Fraley also provided an overview of previous testimony and evidence highlighting the negative aspects of limited-service, physician-owned hospitals, noting the financial difficulties of community hospitals in Dayton, Cincinnati, Lima, Newark and other states with a proliferation of limited-service, physician-owned hospitals. The American Hospital Association helped support OHA’s testimony by arranging for additional witnesses to testify at the hearings. Looking forward, OHA committed to work with the Ohio Department of Health to expeditiously develop a more clear definition of a hospital. (Reed Fraley, reedf@ohanet.org)

With Precautions, Hand-Sanitizer Dispensers Allowed in Exit Hallways

Hospitals are encouraged to ensure they meet all specified safety precautions when placing alcohol-based hand-run dispensers in exit hallways. Though this issue has evolved over the past several years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule permitting hospitals and other health care facilities to place these dispensers in exit hallways. The final rule states, “Any lingering fire safety concerns are…outweighed by the strong body of evidence that demonstrates that alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers are an effective hand hygiene tool and that their use has a positive impact on infection control practices. Healthcare-associated infections pose an imminent threat to patient health and safety, and we believe that all stops should be taken to prevent and control such infections.”

Use of the alcohol hand rubs was previous authorized by a CMS “interim rule” and was more recently approved by Ohio’s State Fire Marshal. The Ohio Department of Health announced its intention to follow the final rule and cite hospitals if they mount hand-rub dispensers in a manner not permitted by the new final rule. View a copy of the final rule and recommended safety precautions online at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-7885.pdf. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)

Hospitals’ Heartbeat

A 2006 nominee for the Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award

Sharon Pascal, RN

Clinical Nurse Manager

Hillcrest Hospital

Mayfield Heights

A look inside Sharon’s nomination –

Patients, employees, co-workers and supervisors at Hillcrest Hospital all agree that Sharon has distinguished herself as an exceptional caregiver, manager and mentor in a nursing career that spans just 15 years.  She currently serves as a Clinical Nurse Manager, responsible for 69 patient beds and 160 employees within three specialized care units.  She is not only a full-time nursing employee; she also does home health care and is a full-time nursing student, completing the studies and clinicals required for a Bachelors of Science degree.  Even with those demands on her time and energy, she voluntarily assumed a key role in the planning, coordination and staff education required for the Hospital’s new patient tower that opened in 2004.  Clearly, Sharon exemplifies excellence in nursing and leadership.