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Monday, November 6, 2006
Voters Should Understand Issue 4, Issue 5 Differences
Studies rank secondhand smoke as the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, after active smoking and alcohol use, killing 53,000 nonsmokers each year. Ohio voters will have the opportunity tomorrow to decide how far the state should go in protecting its citizens from the effects of secondhand smoke. Ballot Issue 4 and Issue 5 both address smoking issues, but in very different ways:

Issue 4: Smoke Less Ohio
 An amendment to the Ohio constitution, this issue would implement an indoor smoking ban with numerous exemptions. The initiative would overturn the 21 local smoke-free laws passed by voters. Proponents include R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and other tobacco companies. Learn more

Issue 5: SmokeFreeOhio
 This statute would prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces. SmokeFreeOhio is supported by the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, American Heart Association and Ohio State Medical Association, and has been endorsed by OHA's Board of Trustees and nearly 120 Ohio hospitals. Learn more

Because Issue 4 (Smoke Less Ohio) is a constitutional amendment, it would supersede Issue 5 (SmokeFreeOhio) if both smoking issues pass. It is because of this significant detail that Ohio voters should learn the differences between the two issues and make an informed decision on Election Day. Visit www.friendsofohiohospitals.org/ballot for more information about these and other issues and races to be decided in this November's general election. (Stacey Conrad, staceyc@ohanet.org)
 

Tuesday, November 7, 2006
AHA Health IT Survey Due This Week
 OHA encourages hospitals to complete the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) second health information technology (IT) survey by this Friday, Nov. 10.  The survey was distributed to all community hospitals in October and is also available online at www.ohanet.org/hit_survey.pdf. The first survey was fielded in the spring of 2005, but given the rapidly accelerating pace of technology AHA now needs to update the data to show the progress hospitals have made in implementing electronic health records and highlight the remaining challenges of IT adoption.  (Kim Keiser, kimk@ohanet.org)

Independent Labs Can No Longer Bill for Technical Component of Lab Tests
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will not allow independent laboratories to directly bill Medicare for the technical component of physician pathology tests after Dec. 31, according to the 2007 physician fee schedule final rule. In the rule, CMS maintains that the hospital prospective payment amount adequately pays hospitals for the technical component, which involves preparing slides for interpretation and examining tissue removed during surgery. The currently pending Physician Pathology Services Continuity Act (S. 3609), sponsored by Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Craig Thomas (R-WY), and its companion bill, H.R. 6188, sponsored by Reps. Kenny Hulshof (R-MO), John Tanner (D-TN), and Mike Ross (D-AR), would require Medicare to continue paying laboratories for the technical component of physician pathology services furnished to hospital patients. (Charles Cataline, charlesc@ohanet.org)

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

Steve Weckbacher, RN
Surgical Services
Marietta Memorial Hospital
Marietta

A look inside Steve’s nomination –
Steve Weckbacker, RN, is a 13-year veteran of Marietta Memorial Hospital who now works in surgical services, after spending many years in the Emergency Department. He consistently demonstrates sincere care, empathy, dedication and leadership in all aspects of his profession and life.  He is known for his teaching skills and quiet, unassuming way in which he links members of his department together with the common goal of teamwork and quality patient care. His work has extended into his own community where he has been trained and worked as an EMT. We believe he demonstrates the qualities of an outstanding healthcare worker.

Wednesday, November 8, 2006
PAC-Backed Candidates, Initiative Come Out on Top
Both Friends of Ohio Hospitals-endorsed candidates for Ohio Supreme Court and the OHA-supported statewide smoking ban won the majority of votes from Ohioans in yesterday’s elections. However, the OHA-opposed ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage and make employees’ personal information available to interested parties also passed.

Justice Terrence O’Donnell won a six-year term 59 percent to 41 percent over challenger Judge William O’Neill. Judge Robert R. Cupp beat Ben Espy 54 percent to 46 percent for the open spot vacated by Justice Alice Robie Resnick. Maintaining a court that will interpret but not rewrite state law is critical given the court’s significant impact on the operations and financial stability of Ohio hospitals, including the issue of medical malpractice insurance reform.

Issue 5, SmokeFreeOhio, passed 52 percent to 48 percent. The failure of Issue 4, Smoke Less Ohio, ensures the state’s new ban on smoking in public places can be implemented. Had Issue 4 passed, as a constitutional amendment it would have superseded Issue 5. Over 100 Ohio hospitals adopted resolutions supporting SmokeFreeOhio.

Issue 2 passed 56 percent to 44 percent despite OHA’s and other organizations’ efforts to educate voters about the privacy implications. Issue 2, a constitutional amendment, must now pass implementing language in the Ohio General Assembly and is likely to face numerous court challenges.

Democrats took office in all the state races excluding state auditor, in which Mary Taylor beat Barbara Sykes by a small margin of 51 percent to 49 percent. Although OHA’s political action committee (PAC) does not endorse candidates in partisan races, it did allocate resources to Mary Taylor over the Service Employees International Union-supported candidate, Barbara Sykes. Election of Marc Dann for attorney general is of great interest to hospitals given Dann’s stance that current Attorney General Jim Petro’s original rules governing charitable organizations did not go far enough.

Ohio’s new governor is Ted Strickland, who addressed the OHA Board of Trustees in September. When that discussion turned to potential cuts to Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals, Strickland said, “It’s irresponsible to expect you (hospitals) to provide care at less than cost and then to make it worse.”

Before the election, Friends of Ohio Hospitals conducted a weekly educational effort for hospitals on the major races and issues affecting Ohio’s hospitals. Hospitals’ education of employees on the importance of the elections contributed to the success of the PAC-backed candidates and Issue 5. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)   

Ohio House Majority Shifts by Seven
With the Ohio House of Representatives Republican majority shifting from 60-39 to 53-46, policy deliberations on a wide range of issues, including health care, may get more interesting come January, when grassroots lobbying will be critical to shaping legislation. Increasing the stakes for hospitals on labor-related issues, the Democrats picked up Service Employees International Union organizer and nurse Sue Morano in the Ohio Senate. On the flip side, Springfield Rep. Ross McGregor, a Republican, held onto his seat for a full term despite a strong challenge from labor-backed Dale Henry, who was instrumental in the SEIU’s failed effort to place public members on the local hospital’s board.

On the federal side, Republican Mike DeWine lost his U.S. Senate seat to Democrat Sherrod Brown, and Democrat Zack Space will replace Bob Ney in the 18th District. Republican incumbents Deborah Pryce, Jean Schmidt and Steve Chabot are still waiting on final tallies in races too close to call at press time to learn if they’ll hold on to their U.S House of Representatives seats. Overall, the Democrats have picked up at least 33 seats in Congress. This means changes in leadership in the House Ways and Means Committee, with Democrat Charles Rangel taking over as chair, and in the Health Subcommittee, where Democrat Pete Stark becomes chair. The shift in power also means more hospital grassroots level involvement is necessary to persuade Congress on health care issues. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org; John Callender, johnc@ohanet.org)

Thursday, November 9, 2006
Newborn Hearing Screening Meetings Packed with Information
Hospitals may be interested in attending one of a series of regional hospital meetings on universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS). The sessions will include:

  • an overview of early hearing detection and intervention including screening at birth, diagnosis by three months of age and intervention by six months of age;
  • the roles of Help Me Grow and the Regional Infant Hearing Programs;
  • communicating with parents;
  • UNHS trends and data;
  • use of screening data at the hospital level;
  • tips for screeners; and
  • a parent/professional panel.

Remaining meetings Nov. 16, MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland; Nov. 29, Akron Children’s Hospital; Dec. 8, Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati; and Dec. 11, The Job Center in Dayton. Visit https://oh.train.org to register. Contact OHIO TRAIN Administrators Susan Brumm, susan.brumm@odh.ohio.gov or 614-995-4845, or Dorene Williams, dorene.williams@odh.ohio.gov or 614-728-7061, with questions about registering. (Jean Scholz, jeans@ohanet.org)

EMS Trauma Board Selects Hospital Reps
Diane Simon, RN, CEN, trauma nurse coordinator/registrar at Defiance Regional Medical Center, and Jodi Wilson, BSN, MBA, director of emergency services for Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, were selected to serve on the Emergency Medical Services Board’s Trauma Committee. OHA nominated both candidates to represent the hospital community on the Trauma Committee and congratulates them on being selected to serve in this capacity.

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

Kathy Sponseller, RN
Inpatient Care Unit
McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital
Oxford

A look inside Kathy’s nomination –
Kathy is a stunning, consistent and dedicated role model for the development and promotion of the nursing profession at McCullough-Hyde Hospital.  As a medical/surgical/pediatric staff nurse, she serves as a vital link between the student nurses and their instructors, as well as to the new nurses on her Unit.  She received a letter of appreciation from a nursing program instructor acknowledging her support of their program and positive role modeling that she displays.  At a time when there is a critical shortage of nursing professionals, Kathy is inspiring and encouraging students and new nurses to love nursing.  She works extra shifts to educate the staff on the use of clinical Care Paths to improve the care of patients.  Her nurturing character goes beyond the hospital by providing shelter for abandoned animals, and makes on site presentations to residents at area nursing homes and preschool children.


Friday, November 10, 2006
OHA Seeks Presenters for 2007 Annual Meeting

More than 1,300 hospital employees attended the 2006 OHA Annual Meeting, and next year’s meeting will draw the masses with an added day of programming as well as more networking and continuing education opportunities. OHA is now soliciting proposals for its 2007 Annual Meeting, slated for June 18-20. Proposals must be submitted by Jan. 5 and those selected to present will be notified by March 30. Submit a proposal or watch for updates on the Annual meeting at http://www.ohanet.org/annualmeeting/. This site also provides up-to-date nomination information on nominations for the 2007 Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award and the Health Care Leadership Awards. An award nomination timeline is currently available. (Joe Ruggles, joer@ohanet.org)

 

Hospitals’ Heartbeat

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

 

Colleen Taylor, RN, ANP

Nurse Practitioner, Vascular Department

Medical University of Ohio

Toledo

 

A look inside nomination –

Colleen Taylor has persevered to become an excellent practitioner. She has excelled academically and does extremely well with her patients. Colleen is an advanced practitioner in a vascular practice where her patients believe that she is totally there for them by ensuring they are well educated and understand potential complications with major surgeries. One patient defines her as the link between understanding and feeling comfortable and satisfied with the institution and the physicians. She went out of her way on a Saturday evening to explain all my information when I called. Colleen is extremely appreciative of all her teachers who had taught her in her nursing career. But most importantly she feels the need to give back to her patients. Colleen goes beyond meeting and exceeding her goals for patient education and teaching but her persona has been the element of personal satisfaction and making a difference in someone else’s life.

© 2001-2008 OHA. Last updated January 03, 2008.
Please direct comments, corrections or additions to: oha@ohanet.org 614.221.7614.