Monday, November 19, 2007
Hospital Leaders Invited to Governor’s Conference on Aging
Hospital leadership is invited to attend the 2007 Ohio Governor’s Conference on Aging: The Untapped Resource – Seniors in the Workplace on Wednesday, Nov. 28 in Columbus. The conference, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Aging, will focus on the demographic reality of Ohio’s workforce and important considerations for the state’s economy and the health of its businesses. Discussion also will cover how organizations can gain and maintain a competitive advantage by recruiting and retaining experienced workers. Gov. Ted Strickland will provide the luncheon keynote address. For more information or to register online, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com/conference or call 614.728.0253.

OHA, OPSI Committees Accepting Nominations for 2008
Several OHA and Ohio Patient Safety Institute (OPSI) committees are currently accepting nominations for hospital leaders interested in serving in 2008:

• OHA Committee on Advocacy and Policy

• OHA Quality Improvement/Accreditation Committee

• OHA Workforce Committee

• OPSI Board

• OPSI Marketing, Education and PSO Committees

Hospital associates can learn more about the OHA committees and download a nomination form at www.ohanet.org/about_oha/committees/111907nomination.pdf. For information and nomination forms for the OPSI board and committees, visit www.ohanet.org/about_oha/committees/111907opsi.pdf. OHA will accept nominations from hospital CEOs until Nov. 30. (Debbie Wolfe, debbiew@ohanet.org)

Hospitals’ Heartbeat
A 2007 nominee for the Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award

Melinda Koren, RN
Critical Care Nurse, Intensive/Coronary Care Unit
St. Joseph Health Center
Warren
View photo

A look inside Melinda’s nomination -
Melinda has been an employee at St. Joseph Health Center for 10 years. Melinda's caring and compassionate attitude calms patients' fears and assures patients' families. She is truly an advocate for each patient through her work as a palliative care liaison. As a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, her advocacy reaches sexually assaulted women. Melinda is an influential leader who helps to improve the quality of nursing care through her key role in performance improvement activities. Melinda's enthusiasm and energy extends into her community as she is active in Relay for Life activities. She is involved in both the band and sports high school booster clubs. Melinda always goes the extra mile and is there whenever needed.
 

Tuesday, November 20, 2007
State Halts Medicaid Increase for Providers
OHA learned late yesterday that hospitals will not receive the expected 3.3 percent reimbursement increase slated for Jan. 1, 2008 – costing hospitals $24 million. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services cited rising Medicaid caseloads as the reason for halting the increase to Medicaid providers, including hospitals and physicians. An expected expansion in dental coverage will also be denied.

OHA today expressed its extreme disappointment in a conversation with Gov. Ted Strickland and his administration. While hospitals recognize the fiscal concerns of the state, hospitals also face financial pressures on a variety of fronts including inflation, increased labor and energy costs and higher prices for prescription drugs.

 

At OHA’s request, the administration will investigate the possibility of eliminating a potential recalibration of Medicaid rates in 2008, which would cost hospitals an estimated $13 million. Hospitals are already underpaid for Medicaid services at 95 cents on the dollar. The halted increase combined with a potential recalibration would further hamper hospitals’ ability to serve the poor and uninsured, and jeopardizes all Ohioans’ access to care.

 

Strickland’s administration assured OHA it will continue its ongoing evaluation of the state’s financial situation. OHA will continue working with the administration on ways to restore these funds. (John Callender, johnc@ohanet.org; Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)

 

Hospitals’ Heartbeat
A 2007 nominee for the Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award

 

Donna Tennant, RN

Critical Care Director

St. Luke’s Hospital

Maumee

View photo

 

A look inside Donna’s nomination -

Donna exemplifies the values of hard work, education and sacrifice. A critical care nurse, educator and manager for more than 30 years, Donna began her career at St. Luke’s as the backbone of its newly-implemented Heart Center, and has since progressed to critical care director of six nursing units emphasizing cardiac care. Respected by her staff and peers, Donna has authored a critical care guideline for professionals, helped St. Luke’s achieve superior clinical standards within the Heart Center and contributed to St. Luke’s recent accreditation as a national Chest Pain Center. In addition to her professional accolades, the Tennant family celebrated a personal victory in 2006. Donna donated a kidney to her ailing husband, whose health continues to improve.

 

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Governor Delays Medicaid Recalibration
After speaking with OHA following yesterday’s announcement that providers will not receive the expected 3.3 percent reimbursement increase slated for Jan. 1, 2008, the governor’s office agreed to delay until April a separate recalibration of Medicaid rates also originally scheduled for January. OHA had requested the recalibration be postponed indefinitely, as it will cost hospitals $13 million in addition to the estimated $24 million they will lose from the delayed rate increase.

 

Though extremely disappointed with the administration’s decision to halt the reimbursement increase, OHA appreciates the postponement of the recalibration and plans to continue working with the administration on ways to restore the lost funds. (John Callender, johnc@ohanet.org; Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)

 

Joint Township Hospital Bill Signed
Gov. Ted Strickland last week signed into law House Bill 194, which would allow the boards of trustees of joint township hospitals to hold executive session for purposes of discussing trade secrets. The bill was requested by the state’s four joint township hospitals. Jim Wermert, CEO of Mercer Health; Mel Fahs, CEO of Community Memorial Hospital; and OHA President and CEO Jim Castle attended the governor's signing of the legislation.

House Bill 194, sponsored by Rep. Jim Zehringer (R-Ft. Recovery), places joint township hospitals on the same competitive playing field as the state’s county and municipal hospitals, which were granted such open meetings exemptions years ago. The hospitals testified and submitted letters indicating that discussing trade secrets and strategic planning in closed meetings is vital to their success in today’s competitive health care market. (Jeff Klingler, jeffk@ohanet.org)

Thursday, November 22, 2007
OHA offices are closed in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Friday, November 23, 2007
OHA offices are closed in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday.