Ohio Board of Pharmacy Introduces Alerts to Prevent Fatal Drug Overdoses

This holiday season, the Ohio Hospital Association is celebrating the resilience, compassion and collaboration that unite us in advancing care across Ohio. OHA extends its deepest gratitude to the workers of our member hospitals and health systems for their tireless efforts to make a difference. We also want to thank the communities served by our members for trusting us to be part of your health journey. May your holidays be filled with peace, joy and good health, and may the new year bring hope and opportunity for all. Note: Due to the holiday season, Ohio Hospital Newswire will go on a brief hiatus until Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.

Mercy Health suggests taking proactive steps to protect yourself and your families from the flu this holiday season. In a recent Mahoning Matters article, the health system recommended annual flu vaccinations for individuals over six months old, along with good hygiene practices like frequent handwashing and avoiding face contact. Staying home when sick, resting, staying hydrated and using over-the-counter medications are effective ways to manage symptoms and prevent spreading the flu. Mercy Health also highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, exercise and sleep to strengthen immunity. Early diagnosis and treatment remain critical to minimizing the flu’s impact…

OHA's Institute of Health Innovations, or IHI, has cemented its Board of Directors for the new year, with appointments effective Jan. 1, 2025. The Board is responsible for the IHI's activities in advancing safety and quality excellence and enhancing community health. Heidi Gartland, chief government and community relations officer at University Hospitals, will serve as Board chair, while Robert Montagnese, president and CEO of Licking Memorial Hospital, will assume the role of chair-elect. Michael Canady, MD, retired CEO of Holzer Health System and recipient of OHA's 2024 Donald R. Newkirk Health Care Leadership Award, will take on the position of secretary/treasurer.…

The National Action Alliance for Patient and Workforce Safety has introduced a public-facing dashboard aggregating federal safety data, including CMS safety measures and AHRQ patient safety indicators. Initially focused on acute care hospitals, the dashboard will later expand to include settings like ambulatory care and nursing homes. This tool supports the alliance's goal of reducing patient and workforce harm by 50% by 2026 by tracking trends and identifying improvement areas. Learn more and access the dashboard.