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Monday,
March 5, 2007 Gov. Ted Strickland last week asked lawmakers to dissolve the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC) Oversight Commission and replace it with an independent 15-member board. The governor said his proposal, which is slated to be included in the two-year BWC budget plan, would help restore confidence in BWC after the recent political scandal surrounding the insurance fund. The board would include 11 members appointed by the governor and representing business, labor and financial sectors. Four lawmakers would also be included as non-voting board members. The hospital community was not represented on the oversight commission and OHA does not foresee representation on the new board. Strickland’s plan also calls for the agency administrator and board to conduct cost-benefit analyses on group ratings, manual overrides and the Health Partnership Program. The BWC budget is scheduled for hearings this week. OHA today received BWC’s draft budget and it is currently under review. (Charles Cataline, charlesc@ohanet.org) Awards Deadline This Friday Hospitals have until this Friday, March 9 to make a nomination for the Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award or OHA's Health Care Leadership Awards. OHA extended the submission deadline to give every hospital an opportunity to nominate one individual for the Health Care Worker of the Year Award. All nominees will be celebrated at the OHA Recognition Dinner June 18 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. Visit www.ohanet.org/annualmeeting/Awards/ to download the nomination forms or for more information. (Tiffany Himmelreich, tiffanyh@ohanet.org)
Ohio
Children’s Hospital Association CEO Announces Departure
“Under Andy Carter’s leadership, children’s hospitals undertook an aggressive government advocacy program. His efforts resulted in significant accomplishments, which include preserving and expanding Medicaid for children’s hospitals; increasing access to health care for children; launching a quality improvement program; and enacting laws to protect children’s health and safety,” said Kinsaul. OHA would like to thank Andy for his excellent work on behalf of Ohio's children's hospitals and express best wishes for continued success.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007 Hospital Safety Campaign Kicks Off OHA has launched the 54th annual Ohio Hospital Safety Campaign – an opportunity for hospitals to receive recognition for excellent workplace safety. The campaign was created in 1953 by OHA and the Industrial Commission of Ohio. Hospitals are asked to submit 2006 safety data from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to OHA by April 2. Governmental hospitals should submit the Ohio Department of Commerce Public Employment Risk Reduction Program form. Hospitals with the best safety records will receive awards and all participants will receive certificates. This year’s winners will also be recognized for their outstanding safety records at the OHA Annual Meeting Welcome and Keynote Address Monday, June 18 at the Columbus Hilton at Easton. Download the application for participation and find more information on the safety awards and the OHA Annual Meeting at www.ohanet.org/annualmeeting/Awards/. (Rhonda Major-Mack, rhondam@ohanet.org)
Commitment to Communities SPOTLIGHT The efforts of Ohio’s hospitals – and the 300,000 people working in these facilities – go far beyond providing basic health care services. Below is one example of the many ways Ohio’s hospitals support their communities.
Offering HELP Mercy Health Partners, Toledo
When Deborah skimmed off the top of her foot with the weed
wacker, she was rushed to St. Anne Mercy Hospital worried
about not only her foot but how she would pay for her care
because she had no health insurance. Mercy’s Hospital
Eligibility Link Program (HELP) program connected Deborah
with hospital representatives to help her explore what
federal, state and local health care coverage she was
qualified to receive. Depending on a patient’s needs, HELP
representatives also file applications on a patient’s
behalf, schedule and attend appointments, provide
transportation and provide medical documentation to Social
Security Administration for disability claims.
Thursday,
March 8, 2007 The Ohio Department of Health set April 9 as the deadline for comments and the hearing date for rules that propose changes to "health care services" regulations, also known as "quality" or "patient safety" regulations, first enacted in 1996. The rules apply to organ and bone marrow transplant, adult and pediatric cardiac catheterization, open heart, pediatric cardiovascular surgery, pediatric intensive care, and linear accelerator, cobalt radiation, or gamma knife services. ODH responded favorably to comments submitted in January by OHA (when the rules were in draft form) including changes in rule 3701-84-03 about interference with an agency inspection, and in 3701-84-08 regarding employee performance evaluations. Hospitals with any of these services should review the proposed rules and submit comments to ODH and forward a copy to Rick Sites with OHA at ricks@ohanet.org. The proposed rules and comment instructions are posted on the Register of Ohio Web site, which is accessible from www.odh.ohio.gov/rules/pending.aspx. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org) Hospital Reps Invited to Discuss
Changes to DNR Rules Since July 2005, task forces representing a variety of statewide health care organization have met regularly to take a critical look at current practices and challenges related to Ohio’s Do Not Resuscitate Comfort of Care Protocol. The task forces identified concerns and offered suggestions for improvement. On Feb. 6, a meeting was held at ODH to consider changes to the rules. The April 12 meeting will bring together physicians, nurses and other interested health care professionals to discuss this vital issue. The meeting will be held at the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA), 3401 Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026 from 1-3 p.m. Call OSMA's offices at 614.527.6762 to RSVP.
Friday, March 9, 2007 The online registration eliminates the requirement for a notarized report and provides hospitals with immediate confirmation of their submission and immediate confirmation of ODH approval of registration. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org) Commitment to Communities SPOTLIGHT The efforts of Ohio’s hospitals – and the 300,000 people working in these facilities – go far beyond providing basic health care services. Below is one example of the many ways Ohio’s hospitals support their communities.
Giving
Patients a Lift For the chronically ill or elderly, trips to the hospital can be frequent. Lack of reliable transportation may bring added stress or even make access to proper care difficult. But Berger Health System patients have one less worry on their mind knowing they always have transportation to appointments at any hospital facility. Through an arrangement with PICCA, the local public transportation, the hospital pays for patients to take taxis and buses to appointments free of charge. Patients living within five miles of the county line can call a dispatcher 24 hours in advance to schedule their pick up. In 2005, 4,692 patients were assisted. © 2001-2008 OHA. Last updated
January 03, 2008. |
