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Monday,
August 6, 2007 The Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) adopted 10 performance measures of hospital outpatient quality to be voluntarily reported by hospitals to Hospital Compare. The outpatient quality measures are an addition to the 32 inpatient clinical process and outcome measures, as well as other patient experiences of care measures, already adopted by HQA. The 10 performance measures also are being utilized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a member of HQA. CMS published the 2008 hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule July 16, which would require hospitals to submit data on the 10 performance measures adopted by HQA to receive a full OPPS payment update in 2009. The outpatient measures are preliminary while further research is done to complete definitions and specifications. The measures focus on five aspects of care: heart attack, heart failure, surgical care improvement, pneumonia and diabetes mellitus. For more information, view an advisory on the American Hospital Association Web site. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org) AONE Launches Fellowship Program Faculty nursing leaders will work with fellowship participants at quarterly leadership retreats and through a virtual learning community. The curriculum is based on the Nurse Manager Leadership Collaborative’s Learning Domain Framework and includes an individual project that will benefit the sponsoring organization. For more information and to apply, visit www.aone.org. (Jean Scholz, jeans@ohanet.org) AHRQ Seeks Submissions for Quality Innovations Web Site The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking submissions for its new Health Care Innovations Exchange Web site, designed to help health care professionals share and adopt innovations that improve health care quality. The site will feature a searchable national repository of health service innovations and dynamic communities of learning. Health care professionals and providers will be able to obtain profiles of innovative activities and tools and communicate with other innovators and adopters – exchanging successes, failures, stories and lessons learned.
Innovations can cover many clinical disciplines and care settings. Submitted profiles may range from pioneering programs to improve the management of a specific chronic condition to inventive ways to increase access to care for people with disabilities and underserved populations. The goal is to accelerate change and transformation in health care through collaboration and cross-disciplinary interaction. To learn more about how to submit innovations, visit the AHRQ Health Care Innovations Exchange Web site at www.innovations.ahrq.gov.
Disney Professional Development Program Coming to Columbus The Disney Institute is bringing its professional development program, “The Disney Keys to Excellence,” to The Ohio State University Sept. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is offering a discounted rate to OHA members. This full-day event will introduce participants to Disney business strategies that could be implemented in their own organizations. Participants will learn about Disney success stories, management philosophies and the behind-the-scenes operations that have made the Walt Disney World Resort a benchmark for businesses around the world.
The Disney Keys program will showcase four 90-minute sessions focused on Disney-style leadership, management, service and loyalty. OHA members can register at the discounted price of $349 per person (reg. rate $425) by entering the code: OHADISNEY07. For more information or to register, call 877.544.2384 or visit http://www.keyscolumbus.com.
OHA’s Center for Education also hosts ongoing educational opportunities for Ohio hospitals. To view upcoming programs and continuing education opportunities, visit http://www.ohanet.org/education/education_programs.asp.
Wednesday,
August 8, 2007 An updated list of Ohio’s Workforce Investment Act (WIA) local boards recently released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) shows that four of the 20 boards are chaired by a hospital leader. Art Swain, vice president of human resources, Grand Lake Health System, St. Mary’s; Ann Schiele, president, Mount Carmel School Nursing, Columbus; Ronald McKinley, vice president of human resources, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati; and Terry Carson, CEO, Harrison Community Hospital, Cadiz, are chairs of their respective area workforce investment boards. The 20 local boards are part of a comprehensive workforce development system that integrates Ohio’s economic development, workforce development and education and training systems into a cohesive and effective system. With about 10 percent of Ohio’s workforce employed in health care, hospital leaders make appropriate chairs for boards focused on local workforce investment efforts. As the largest employer in many of Ohio’s counties, hospitals serve as a microcosm of workforce in a community, employing lots of different people, from entry level positions to those requiring highly educated and skilled associates. With this unique range of employees, hospitals work hard to improve recruitment and retention and understand how culture and pay affects supply and demand for employees. For a complete list of WIA local area workforce investment board chairs, visit the Workforce 411 Web site. (Jean Scholz, jeans@ohanet.org)
OHA’s Center for Education OHA’s Center for Education invites hospital gift shop managers to attend a one-day program on Friday, Aug. 17 in Columbus. Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor, will share successful retail techniques and his five steps to successful sale techniques as well as idea on merchandising a shop for buyers. Learn more and register at http://www.ohanet.org/education/education_programs.asp.
Hospitals’
Heartbeat
Wendy Worley, LPN Cardiac Rehab Technician H. B. Magruder Hospital Port Clinton
A look inside Wendy’s nomination -
Wendy’s
career at H.B. Magruder Memorial Hospital spans over the
past 25 years. Wendy started at the hospital as a licensed
practical nurse in the Medical/Surgical Unit. For the past
seven years, Wendy has worked in the Cardiac Rehab
Department where she found her niche as a cardiac rehab
technician. Patients entering cardiac rehab are always
greeted with laughter, smiles, and sincere concern from
Wendy. She takes the time to get to know each of her
patients and has a genuine bond with them. Patients and
employees agree that Wendy has distinguished herself as an
exceptional caregiver and an extraordinary colleague. Her
energy, dedication and professionalism are what make Wendy
stand out as the 2006 Magruder Hospital Employee of the
Year.
Thursday,
August 9, 2007 White/Clear – Patient Identification Red – Allergy Yellow – Fall Risk Green – Blood Product
The state-mandated wristband color for DNR is undergoing review and therefore OPSI has no recommendation regarding DNR at this time. OPSI is working with providers to implement the new statewide standard beginning Sept. 1. CEOs, directors of nursing, risk managers, quality directors and patient safety officers have already received a toolkit to help hospitals implement the standardized bands. For more information, view a press release. (Tiffany Himmelreich, tiffanyh@ohanet.org; Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)
Hospitals Must Enroll in RHQDAPU by Aug. 15 Hospitals must submit a revised Notice of Participation for the Reporting Hospital Quality Data for Annual Payment Update (RHQDAPU) by Aug. 15 to receive a full market basket payment update for fiscal year 2008. Hospitals that want to withdraw from the program must submit a Withdrawal of Participation form and will receive a two percent reduction to their payment update. The Notice of Participation must be signed by the hospital CEO and sent to Ohio KePRO. Hospitals will not need to re-enroll in future years to be considered participants and receive payment updates. (Rosalie Weakland, rosaliew@ohanet.org)
Hospitals’
Heartbeat
Shelia Pegan Manager, Patient Registration Highland District Hospital Hillsboro
A look inside Shelia’s nomination - Shelia, patient registration manager, is being recognized for her dedication to Highland District Hospital and the community. As the manager of Patient Registration, the first department customers come in contact with upon entering the hospital, she understands the importance of customer service and how the flow of patient information can affect the entire health care delivery process. Shelia personifies what every employer looks for in an employee. According to a peer, “Shelia is always willing to go out of her way to make sure the patients are taken care of.”
Country Doctor of the Year Nominations Sought Staff Care, Inc., a national temporary physician staffing firm, is seeking physicians with spirit, skill and dedication in caring for a rural community for consideration for the 2007 Country Doctor of the Year Award. Nominations may be submitted by a physician, friends, patients, co-workers or family members, and anecdotes and stories that testify to a physician’s exemplary care and dedication are welcomed. The winner will receive a plaque and a fill-in physician for two weeks so that the he or she can take time away, a luxury rural doctors rarely enjoy because it is often hard to find physicians to cover the practices. Nominees must practice in communities of 30,000 or less and be engaged in such primary care areas as general practice, family practice, internal medicine or pediatrics. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Country Doctor of the Year Award Web site at www.countrydoctoraward.com, or can be requested by calling Staff Care at 800.685.2272. Completed nominations must be received by Sept. 5.
Hospitals’
Heartbeat
Molly Loney, RN, MSN, AOCN Oncology and Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist Hillcrest Hospital Mayfield Heights
A look inside Molly’s nomination - With an endless drive, passion and energy for making a difference daily, Molly is the consummate oncology health care professional. Innovator, educator, mentor, collaborator and caregiver, she is dedicated to raising the continuum of care for patients and their families. As an innovative leader, she continually identifies and develops new and effective best practice initiatives for patients and employees alike. As an educator, she teaches and empowers others to make a difference in their practice areas. As a mentor, she actively supports and inspires others to develop new levels of knowledge and confidence. As a collaborator within her organization, the community and nation, she has earned the respect and admiration of her peers. As a caregiver, her patients simply love her back. © 2001-2008 OHA. Last updated
January 03, 2008. |
