News & Updates October 14, 2014
TOP NEWS
ACS Issues Urgent Alert: Repeal the SGR during Lame-Duck Session The American College of Surgeons (ACS) recently issued an e-mail alert to all ACS members to encourage Congress to repeal the Medicare Physician Payment Sustainable Growth Rate Formula (SGR) during the lame-duck session after the November elections.
POLITICS
Ohio Medicaid Expansion Faces 2015 Political Hurdle University Hospitals Chief Executive Tom Zenty warned a Cleveland audience that the state’s Medicaid expansion may not be permanent. “In July of next year, if there is no intervention, Medicaid expansion in the state of Ohio disappears,” Zenty said, during a recent panel discussion.
Ohio Statehouse, gubernatorial candidates state where they stand on right to work CLEVELAND, Ohio – Should Ohio become a right-to-work state?
GOP grip on Ohio legislature may tighten They drew themselves favorable districts three years ago, have a landslide forming in the governor’s race at the top of the ballot and hold a massive fundraising advantage.
Secretary of state said he’s made it ‘easy to vote’ and ‘hard to cheat’ Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted sums up his first term in a short phrase: “Easy to vote, hard to cheat.” That’s what he says he’s accomplished over the past four years as the state’s chief elections officer, ensuring ample opportunity for eligible residents to cast ballots while working to block those who are ineligible from doing the same.
Editorial: Yost for state auditor Our view: Challenge to JobsOhio, probe of data ‘scrubbing’ should earn him a second term
Central Ohio lawmakers’ PACS Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Upper Arlington PAC: Support to Ensure Victory Everywhere PAC – Raised: $208,500 as of Aug. 31, 2014 -Spent: $197,304
SURGEONS
Miami Valley Hospital Foundation honors Linda Barney, M.D., FACS, as outstanding medical professionalMiami Valley Hospital Foundation honored Linda M. Barney, M.D., FACS, as an outstanding medical professional at a Champions of Hope cancer fundraiser on Sept. 18. She was one of five individuals honored in the battle against cancer.
Life-saving Surgery for Local Child SHIRLEYSBURG – It’s an exciting and frightening time for one local family. On Tuesday, October 14, a little girl from Huntingdon County is scheduled for major surgery that could save her life.
What to Expect When You Have Surgery New Programs Are Educating Patients About Possible Rewards and Risks
Ebola Virus Transmission – Resources and News Surgical Protocol – Although protocols for personal protective equipment are in place to protect health care workers, there is no guideline for operating room personnel and surgical providers who might need to perform an operation on a patient with confirmed or suspected
EDUCATION
College of Medicine News The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Honored with 2014 Diversity Award
Case Western Reserve University Faculty Join Celebration for 25th Anniversary of Cystic Fibrosis Gene Discovery Case Western Reserve University faculty and clinicians are among those this weekend commemorating the discovery 25 years ago of the transmembrane conductance Cystic Fibrosis gene (CFTR) and reflecting on subsequent treatment advances that stemmed from the genetic breakthrough a quarter-century ago.
UH Case Medical Center’s ‘REHEARSAAAL’ trial testing clinical performance in virtual environment Simbionix procedural rehearsal studio allows docs to train before actual case
Amputees Discern Familiar Sensations Across Prosthetic Hand Even before he lost his right hand to an industrial accident 4 years ago, Igor Spetic had family open his medicine bottles. Cotton balls give him goose bumps.
HOSPITALS
Nearly $6.5 million in bonuses paid by Ohio VA DAYTON — Ohio Veterans Affairs hospitals paid nearly $6.5 million in bonuses to more than 6,000 employees in the past year, a newspaper analysis has found.
Cleveland Clinic launches HealthSpot kiosks in Marc’s stores on East Side CLEVELAND, Ohio– The Cleveland Clinic is now offering patients virtual appointments for minor illnesses in high-tech walk-in kiosks in the grocery store.
NE Ohio hospitals report nursing staffs are Ebola prepared and protected National Nurses United reports more must be done
Hospitals face bigger Medicare fines over readmission rates Most Columbus-area hospitals are paying stiffer penalties this year for readmitting Medicare patients than they did two years ago when the federal government introduced the fines.
TRAUMA
American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Releases Sixth Edition of Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient Revised nationally recognized guidelines include a number of updates to guide trauma centers in improving their performance and place a strong emphasis on developing trauma systems
TELEMEDICINE
The Doctor Will See you Now…On Your Computer, Smart Phone or Tablet Health Care Gets Easier for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio Members with 24×7 Access to Medical Care via LiveHealth Online Telehealth Benefit
Emergency Physicians Find their Telemedicine Niche A telemedicine service is expanding its set of technology tools for virtual emergency care
MALPRACTICE
Initiative seeks to raise medical malpractice cap LOS ANGELES (AP) — Voters could make California the first state to require many doctors to submit to random drug and alcohol tests, a safeguard that has long been in place for pilots, police officers and others who must stay clear-eyed on the job.