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Monday, December 4, 2006
JCAHO Changes Policy on Patient-Level Data Reporting
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is revising its contract with nearly 50 performance measurement systems to require additional patient level data, which will not identify the hospital. Beginning with second quarter 2007 core measure data, reported to JCAHO by Oct. 31, 2007, performance measurement systems will be expected to report hospital-specific aggregate data for three measure sets plus 100 percent sample of de-identified patient level data for all performance measures. Currently JCAHO requires the organizations to report hospital-specific aggregate data for three measure sets plus a 20 percent sample of de-identified patient level data for four outcomes measures. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)

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

Frank P. Whyte, RN, OCN
Oncology Clinical Educator/Patient Navigator
Mount Carmel St. Ann’s
Westerville

A look inside Frank’s nomination –
There are many reasons that I believe that Frank Whyte deserves this award. Frank works with cancer patients. Many of which have just learned of their diagnosis. He possesses a great deal of concern and compassion for these people. They look to him not only for information regarding their disease, but also for emotional support. He goes above and beyond his responsibility to ensure that they get the best care and provides them a secure environment. He is one of the most caring and considerate healthcare providers that I have ever had the privilege of working with.

Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Final CMS Rule on Conditions of Participation Published
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule revising four current requirements for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. 1) The final rule, effective Jan. 27, gives hospitals up to 30 days before a patient’s admission or 24 hours after admission to complete a medical history and physical examination and permits more than one qualified health care professional to perform the exam. The record of the exam must be entered into the patient’s medical record within 24 hours of admission. 2) The rule stipulates that all verbal orders given by a medical professional must be authenticated within 48 hours by either the prescribing practitioner or another practitioner responsible for the care of the patient. All orders, including verbal orders, must be dated, timed and authenticated. 3) Hospitals also must secure all drugs and biologicals. 4) Finally, the revised regulation permits any individual qualified to administer anesthesia, rather than only the person who administered it, to conduct the post-anesthesia evaluation. The final rule can be viewed at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-19957.pdf. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)

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

Robert N. Davis, Jr., RN, C, MS
Clinical Care Manager, Mount Carmel Home Care Services
Mount Carmel West
Columbus

A look inside Robert’s nomination –
Robert (Bob) N. Davis, Jr. is an excellent role model, a great leader, and he not only exemplifies the values of an Ohio health care facility, but also the C.A.R.E. (compassion, acceptance, respect and empathy) values of Mount Carmel. Bob has been a Home Care Clinical Manager for over eight years. It is always with the highest integrity that he is able to resolve concerns with staff, patients, caregivers and physicians and obtain win/win outcomes. If no nurse is available, Bob will make home visits. He enjoys visiting patients, giving him a better understanding of their needs, and it is a good way to evaluate the care that is provided. Because he truly knows the home care world, Bob is a patient and employee advocate.

Wednesday, December 6, 2006
OHA Amendment Clarifies Use of Controlled Egress Doors
A panel in the Ohio House of Representatives yesterday accepted an amendment clarifying in statute the permitted use of controlled egress doors in children’s hospitals, hospital maternity units and hospital psychiatric units statewide.

Beverly Capper, clinical manager of the Neonatal Transitional Care Unit at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, told the House Commerce and Labor Committee that current rules deal with the use of these types of doors by hospitals, however, they have been interpreted differently by local authorities and applied inconsistently throughout the state. “Ohio hospitals need a consistent, statewide standard permitting the use of controlled egress doors, so that we can adequately ensure the protection, safety and well being of our patients,” Capper said.

The amendment will ensure that local fire marshals can no longer issue citations against hospitals that have installed these doors, which has been the experience of several OHA member hospitals over the past few years. The bill will be accepted by the full House of Representatives and receive Senate concurrence before the legislature recesses later this month. (Jeff Klingler, jeffk@ohanet.org; Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)

Thursday, December 7, 2006
OHA Supports Requirement That Hospitals Have EDs
OHA this week submitted a letter of support, signed by the CEOs of 13 major health systems from across the state, for Senate Bill 400, legislation that requires hospitals to operate 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week emergency departments and maintain Medicaid and Medicare provider agreements. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Steve Stivers (R-Columbus), has been referred to the Senate Health, Human Services & Aging Committee and is expected to receive hearings before the end of the year.

Hospitals are concerned with the influx of limited-service specialty hospitals since a federal moratorium, enacted in late 2003, expired in August 2006. The moratorium temporarily held off the growing threat, but more of these limited-service hospitals are now being opened and planned across the state.

Identical companion legislation—House Bill 697, sponsored by Rep. Ross McGregor (R-Springfield)—was introduced in the House Tuesday. It has not yet been referred to a committee. OHA is coordinating meetings with legislative leaders, and is encouraging hospital representatives to meet with and/or contact their local state representatives and senators this week. (Reed Fraley, reedf@ohanet.org)

Statewide Smoking Ban Takes Effect Today

The Smoke Free Workplace Act (Issue 5), passed by voters on Election Day, takes effect today and provides a statewide minimum standard to protect workers and the public from health hazards associated with exposure to secondhand smoke from tobacco. For more information about the implementation of the Smoke Free Workplaces Act, view an OHA Bulletin at www.ohanet.org/Bulletins/2006/06-012.htm.

Hospitals’ Heartbeat

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

Anmarie Haynes, LISW

Social Worker, Cancer Center

Parma Community General Hospital

Parma

A look inside Anmarie’s nomination –

Anmarie Haynes, the dedicated social worker for Parma Community General Hospital’s cancer program, has lent support to over 1,500 patients per year as an advocate for those battling cancer. The first and only person in this role, she serves as a lifeline to patients on their journey from diagnosis through treatment, providing resources, counseling and referrals. Anmarie started a volunteer outreach program to connect newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors and hosted a Spa Night to pamper and uplift breast cancer patients and survivors. Buoyed by family members of former patients, Anmarie led Parma Hospital in raising more than $30,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, including the initiation of a new Relay event in Parma. Her compassion and energy are boundless.

Friday, December 8, 2006
OHA Calls for Awards Nominations; Deadline Feb. 9

OHA today sent nomination materials to hospitals and health systems for OHA’s 2007 Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award and Health Care Leadership Awards. Every hospital is encouraged to submit one individual for the Health Care Worker of the Year Award. All nominees for the Health Care Worker of the Year Award and select Health Care Leadership Award recipients will be celebrated at the OHA Recognition Dinner June 18 as part of the OHA Annual Meeting at the Hilton Columbus at Easton.

Nominations must be made electronically using an official nomination form – one form for the Health Care Worker of the Year Award and a separate form for the Health Care Leadership Awards – to awards@ohanet.org by Feb. 9, 2007. Find more information and download the nomination forms at www.ohanet.org/annualmeeting/Awards/.

This year OHA introduces two new Health Care Leadership Awards. The Leadership Through Advocacy Award honors legislative or regulatory advocacy that benefits Ohio’s citizens. The David Hendershot Rural Health Promotion Award, named for a long-time employee of OHA, recognizes a small and rural hospital’s commitment to health promotion. Additional Health Care Leadership Awards are: Donald R. Newkirk Award, Distinguished Service Award, Meritorious Service Award, John Chapman Award, William C. Kelley Safety Leadership Award and the Ohio Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy’s Healthcare Consumer Advocacy Award. (Tiffany Himmelreich, tiffanyh@ohanet.org)

ODH Seeks to Enhance Audiologic Evals for Infants

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) recently announced an “Enhancing the Audiologic Evaluation Process for Infants Not Passing Universal Newborn Hearing Screening” Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP seeks applicants who can implement measures that will enhance access to diagnostic audiologic evaluation throughout Ohio so infants who do not pass screening at birth are seen by audiologists prior to their third month of life. The RFP describes the scope of work and background requirements and the successful bidder will be required to sign a contract with ODH upon the availability of funds and approval by the director of health.

The RFP is available at www.odh.ohio.gov/ASSETS/35D49A53BA3540C785E9F51609563EDC/SolicitationRFP30069.pdf. All materials must be received by Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. eastern standard time. All questions must be submitted in writing to Paul Maragos at Paul.Maragos@odh.ohio.gov by Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.