Dr. Gabbe shares updates on OSU Medical Center's work with the Central Ohio Hospital Council. Through this council, the four hospital systems in Franklin County work together to better meet the health care needs of the community by focusing on issues that impact the delivery of quality health care to central Ohioans.
Hi! Two of our values here at the Medical Center are collaboration and leadership. A great example of how our organization is modeling these values is through our involvement in the Central Ohio Hospital Council.
For the past few years, the four hospital systems in Franklin County have been working together to better meet the health care needs of the community by focusing on issues that impact the delivery of quality health care to central Ohioans. We know we can solve many more issues together than separately. The hospital systems recently formalized their efforts with the formation of the Central Ohio Hospital Council, the COHC, which began operations in June 2008. COHC members include: Mount Carmel Health System, Nationwide Children’s Hospital,The Ohio State University Health System, and OhioHealth.
I thought I’d share with you some of the projects that we’re working on together.
First, let me talk about, quality and patient safety. The hospitals are currently undertaking a new initiative, funded by the Cardinal Health Foundation and in conjunction with the business community, on ways to improve patient safety by reducing hospital acquired infections and medication errors.
In terms of access to mental health services, our hospitals are working with other local mental health providers to ensure that local citizens with mental health care needs are receiving timely and quality care. This initiative has already improved mental health services for patients, especially for those who are indigent, by reducing the length of stay in hospital emergency rooms, directing patients to appropriate care settings and improving communication on patient care needs among the array of community mental health providers. However, much more needs to be done.
COHC is currently developing a Web-based system to improve communication about mental health bed availability among hospitals and other community providers.
The four hospital systems are conducting an educational campaign for local community and business leaders on the concerning trend of escalating charity care and Medicaid shortfalls and the effects of these losses on the community at large, especially in these difficult financial times.
This initiative is intended to insure citizens have access to a full arrange of health care services, including emergency, inpatient, outpatient and preventive care.
COHC is working with local hospitals and the American Red Cross to assure a safe, effective and cost efficient blood supply for the central Ohio region.
Finally, Proton Therapy. The COHC in collaboration with Batelle, is investigating the feasibility of jointly building a proton therapy facility in central Ohio.
Yes, we’re very fortunate to have the level of health care that we have here in Columbus and to have our hospital systems working closely together to solve community health problems. Having been in many other communities around the country I can tell you that this approach is quite unique. I look forward to sharing progress on these efforts with you over the next few months.
Well, have a great week!