OHA - HEALTH e-NEWS

Monday, December 18, 2006
JCAHO Seeks Input on Revisions to Emergency Management Standards
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is now accepting comments from 24/7 facility-based care settings such as hospitals on proposed revisions to Emergency Management standards. The revisions would require organizations to establish a more rigorous emergency management plan in response to community-wide emergencies.

After studying the variety of disasters that affected health care organizations over the last several years, JCAHO integrated the following determinations into these revisions:
During an emergency, a single event can escalate into multiple events and health care organizations should develop the capacity to respond to combinations of escalating events.
Regardless of the cause of the disaster, key elements of the organization must be effectively managed: communications, patient safety, resources/assets, clinical care, building utilities.
Health care organizations should consider the potential for disasters of long duration.

Participate in the field review at www.jointcommission.org/Standards/FieldReviews/ until Jan. 19, 2007, and please forward comments to Rosalie Weakland at OHA at rosaliew@ohanet.org. OHA will also coordinate a group of hospital representatives to examine the revisions and their consistency with existing Health Resources and Services Administration standards. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org; Carol Jacobson, carolj@ohanet.org)

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

Keith Gallagher
Head Cook, Food and Nutrition Department
Salem Community Hospital
Salem

A look inside Keith’s nomination –
Salem Community Hospital is pleased to nominate Keith Gallagher for the Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award. A dependable, caring employee who works behind the scenes as the Hospital’s Head Cook, Keith approaches every task with a positive attitude, skill and dedication. Keith oversees a staff of nine cooks who work in a fast-paced environment to provide vital food services to inpatients, visitors and staff. His co-workers describe him as fair, hard working and eager to help. Keith volunteers his food service and planning expertise during The Banquet of Salem, a charitable community dinner for residents in need. Through his actions on the job and volunteerism in the community, Keith serves as an outstanding role model for others.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Holiday Gift List Addition: Give the Gift of Life, Donate Blood
The bustling holiday season means the exchange of gifts and food, but busy schedules also bring a dip in the donation of blood. Someone in America needs blood every two seconds—an average of 38,000 units of blood every day—and giving blood in addition to gifts during the holidays saves lives.

Hospitals rely on the generosity of donors to provide blood – a crucial resource – for patients who need it. Hospitals also rely on a positive working relationship with their blood providers to ensure a safe, high quality and cost-effective blood supply for their communities. Ohio hospitals have partnerships with more than five regional blood programs, each of which is associated with the national Red Cross or American Association of Blood Banks.

Over the past year, 31 central and southeastern hospitals have developed a new collaboration with the American Red Cross Central Ohio Region (ARCCOR) to ensure the continuation of a safe, high-quality and cost-effective blood supply. Other regions of the state have created similar hospital-blood provider partnerships to better serve the needs of their communities. These partnerships ensure that all people have access to blood when and where they need it. But they could not achieve their goals without the generosity of individual blood donors.

Eligible donors can give blood every 56 days, and setting up an appointment requires only a phone call to 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or a visit to the Ohio Red Cross organ donation scheduling Web site at https://www.givelife.org. By entering a zip code, you can find nearby blood drives and set up an appointment. By finding time to donate blood this holiday season, you give something precious—the gift of life. Learn more by viewing OHA’s December Healthbeat article at www.ohanet.org/healthbeat/2006/1206.htm.

Hospitals’ Heartbeat

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

Toni Curran, MT

Laboratory Supervisor

Selby General Hospital

Marietta

A look inside Toni’s nomination –

Toni Curran, MT, Selby General Hospital’s Laboratory Supervisor, is the epitome of a health care clinician. Her long, professional care has set the bar for those who have been lucky enough to work with her. Toni’s vast body of health care knowledge has put her in a league of her own.

She is as fresh and full of ideas today as she was when she began her management career. Toni’s legacy will be well recognized by: all the laboratory students she helped train; the technicians whose skills were polished as they worked for her; the aid she has given to so many patients and their families; and to her peers as she aided and encouraged them.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006
County Hospital Regs Updated

OHA-backed legislation streamlining the antiquated rules governing Ohio’s 12 county hospitals passed the House of Representatives yesterday 91-0 and received Senate concurrence today by a 33-0 vote. The bill now heads to Gov. Bob Taft for his signature and is expected to be signed before he leaves office Jan. 7.

Substitute Senate Bill 126, sponsored by Sen. Lynn Wachtmann (R -Napoleon), enables county hospitals to exercise greater flexibility in day-to-day operations. The bill allows for more efficient business practices while maintaining government oversight. It updates county hospitals’ processes to fill board vacancies and permits up to two physicians at a time to serve as members of a board of county hospital trustees. Sub SB 126 also eliminates the requirement for a county election to approve a resolution adopted by the board of county commissioners authorizing an initial agreement for the acquisition, operation, or lease of a county hospital.

OHA secured a key amendment in the House Health committee stopping an initiative of the commissioners to have greater revision authority over hospital budgets. Current law allows revisions pertaining to the use of tax dollars and levy money. OHA’s amendment reverts back to current law and states the commissioners may not revise the budget past deadline. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)

QualChoice Customer Service Center to Stay Active During Closure

QualChoice Health Plan will keep its customer service center open for business in 2007 while the plan winds down toward closure. The managed health care plan transferred its Medicaid clients to Anthem Blue Cross in September and will discontinue its commercial business at the end of 2006. Hospitals and physicians are being asked to stay in touch with QualChoice's Provider Services area during the transition, especially with regards to crossover inpatient stays and outstanding claims. More information, including contact numbers is available at www.ohanet.org/finance/resources/qualchoice121506.pdf. (Charles Cataline, charlesc@ohanet.org)

Hospitals’ Heartbeat

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

Jason Milner, Pharm.D.

Pharmacy Clinical Specialist

South Pointe Hospital

Warrensville Heights

A look inside Jason’s nomination –

South Pointe Hospital would like to recognize Jason Milner, Pharm D, Pharmacy Clinical Specialist, for his contributions to the healthcare industry. Jason has accomplished much in his short time at South Pointe, working on a multitude of hospital committees and initiatives focusing on patient quality and safety, as well as employee education and community involvement. He is knowledgeable within his field and compassionate to the patients he encounters, making sure that they are comfortable with every aspect of their medication. Jason goes beyond the call of duty in his career, whether it is taking classes to enhance his knowledge in his field or taking on additional responsibilities when necessary, he always is there to help. Jason is a true asset to the healthcare community.

Thursday, December 21, 2006
Board Retains HCAP Task Force
After reviewing a report of the OHA Task Force on Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP), the OHA Board of Trustees voted to keep the task force active to address continuing and future issues with the program. The report, which will receive final action at the January Board meeting, makes four recommendations for the 2007 program and outlines the current environmental and political factors impacting HCAP.

Hearing about the fast-paced lame duck session in the Ohio General Assembly, the Board was updated on an amendment to and passage of the mental health parity bill, Senate Bill 116. The amendment calls for a 90-day moratorium on limited-service hospitals in counties with populations of 140,000. OHA staff also updated the Board on a bill heading to Gov. Bob Taft to enact building code exceptions for egress doors, Senate Bill 305, and pending legislation to implement the minimum wage ballot initiative and health care tort reform. OHA staff also briefed the Board on potential implications for the health care community of the November elections. OHA is actively involved in governor-elect Ted Strickland’s transition team planning.

The Board approved a new slate of trustees for the Research and Educational Foundation Board of Trustees and board members for Ohio Hospital Capital, Inc., which was created to issue tax-exempt bonds to hospitals for building projects. It also approved the final version of principles on hospital tax-exemption.

Waiting until January to take final action, the Board previewed the association’s 2007-2008 work plan, which is organized under OHA’s seven strategic initiatives. (Jim Castle, jimc@ohanet.org)

Deadline Nears on RFP for 2007 OHA Annual Meeting

OHA will accept speaker proposals for its 2007 Annual Meeting until Jan. 5, and those selected to present will be notified by March 30. The Annual Meeting will be held June 18-20 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. Submit a proposal or watch for updates on the Annual meeting at 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)

Summit on Solutions to Health Care Costs Seeks Speakers

The Manufacturer’s Education Council is soliciting presentations for its Annual Ohio Employers’ Summit on Solutions to Soaring Health Care Costs Wednesday, April 25 in Columbus. Interested hospital associates should complete the one-page online speaker form at www.mecseminars.com/presentation/healthcaresummit.htm before Jan. 12. OHA encourages hospitals to consider participating, especially those facilities with successful employee wellness programs that have positively impacted health care costs. For more information on the summit or to register to attend, visit www.mecseminars.com/. A complete list agenda with speakers, workshops and topics will be available Feb. 12.

Friday, December 22, 2006
Stand Energy Company: Soft Pricing Expected to Continue
As predicted by OHA's energy consultants in September, natural gas continues to be priced lower than last year and likely will continue to be discounted in the short term. Despite the large storage draw reported recently by the Energy Information Administration, prices continue to drop because storage levels remain 10 percent above previous record highs. And with above-normal temperatures predicted for most of the country through the new year, there is some expectation that the levels will not be drawn down to minimums this year like last winter.

Our expectation continues for soft pricing on the variable rates, and for similar long-term pricing. Call Steve Etsler with Stand Energy Company at (513) 621-1113 for the most up-to-date pricing, or OHA's consultant Anne McGregor at (816) 561-9629. Learn more about hospital energy issues at www.ohanet.org/energy/. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)

JCAHO Seeks Input on Pharmacist Revisions
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) has published for review proposed standards revisions regarding pharmacists. The revisions define situations in which a pharmacist is to conduct a prospective review of a medication order, and situations in which a retrospective review of a medication order by a pharmacist is acceptable. Medication protocols are also addressed. Hospitals can review and comment on the rules, available at www.jointcommission.org/standards/fieldreviews/, until Jan. 24. Contact Joyce Marshall, division of standards and survey methods, with questions at 630.792.5834 or jmarshall@jcaho.org. Please also forward comments to Rosalie Weakland at OHA at rosaliew@ohanet.org.

JCAHO also recently announced it will drop the last part of its name starting Jan. 8, and use only the Joint Commission. After an evaluation of the organization’s brand, the Joint Commission adopted the name change to better reflect its broadening scope of activities outside of accreditation. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)

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

Sandy Black, RN, OCN, CHPN
Specialty Resource Nurse, Education and Endoscopy
Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center
Cambridge

A look inside Sandy’s nomination –
Sandy Black, an RN with over 22 years of experience in Med Surg, Hospice, and Oncology, carries her work responsibilities and health care passions to all areas of her life. She is a dedicated, nonstop caregiver who shares her medical expertise and human compassion with the staff at Southeastern Med, community groups and organizations, patients and family, members of her church, and citizens in need nationwide. Sandy was responsible for initiating and developing the Palliative Care Program and Lab Outreach Program for cancer patients at Southeastern Med. She demonstrates a special interest in educating others about pain management and end-of-life care. Sandy has served as a shelter nurse during local flooding and as an American Red Cross responder after September 11 and Hurricane Katrina.