ODH Reports First Pediatric Flu Death of Season, Urges Vaccination

For several years the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agency followed a policy under which it would not conduct enforcement actions near certain “sensitive areas” – such as hospitals, schools, and churches, unless there were exigent circumstances. The Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Jan. 21 issued a statement rescinding the policy regarding “sensitive areas.” Accordingly, though OHA believes it is unlikely for hospitals to be a target of significant immigration enforcement activity, it is possible that hospitals could find themselves dealing with ICE or other law enforcement officials at their facilities requesting access to patients or…

The Ohio Department of Health is seeking nominees skilled in the needs and services related to caring for children and youth with special health care needs for the agency’s Complex Medical Help Program, or CMH, Medical Advisory Council. The program was formerly known as Children With Medical Handicaps until a recent name change. The CMH Program links children and youth with special health care needs to a network of qualified providers and helps their families obtain payment for needed services, including serving as the payer of last resort for eligible clients. More information about the CMH Program is available on ODH’s website. The…

OHA member Summa Health Barberton received its official ENERGY STAR certification this week, a recognition of the hospital's commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability. This achievement, made possible through the dedication and hard work of the facility, construction and engineering teams, highlights the hospital’s efforts to optimize energy use while maintaining high-quality patient care. Summa Health Barberton joins Summa’s main campus for the first time earning this prestigious designation through the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program through the benchmarking services provided by the OHA Energy & Sustainability Program. Summa Health Barberton is one of 17 OHA member hospitals to receive…

AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio is temporarily waiving prior authorization requirements for inpatient-to-nursing home transfers through March 9 to help manage rising hospitalizations due to influenza. The move aims to alleviate strain on hospitals, where a growing number of patients are waiting in emergency departments for inpatient beds. Prior authorization requests should still be submitted, but they will be reviewed same day or automatically approved. Health care providers can track regional flu trends here.