Grants

Federal, State Grants Help Rural Hospitals Serve Patients

COLUMBUS – Small and rural hospitals across Ohio are improving services to their communities thanks to $743,182 in federal and state grants administered by the Foundation for Healthy Communities of the Ohio Hospital Association. The federal funds are provided through the Ohio Department of Health and its State Office of Rural Health.

The 34 hospitals designated as Critical Access Hospitals are each receiving $21,858.30 in combined grants from the Ohio Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) and the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex).  Both the SHIP and Flex funds can be used by the hospitals for quality improvement projects. In addition, SHIP funds are targeted for helping the small and rural hospitals reduce medical errors and comply with requirements of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).  Flex funds may also be used to help hospitals improve networking and emergency medical services.

Among projects the funds are supporting include plans to:

§         standardize emergency crash carts to promote faster, more efficient emergency care

§         allow for EKG reports to be printed remotely in physicians’ offices

§         provide electronic medical record cards to improve access to patients’ medical history

§         collaborate with local organizations to provide health promotion opportunities

§         obtain comparative data to assess hospital quality assessments, and 

§         automate scheduling to avoid delays and conflicts for patients and medical providers.

Hospitals receiving these funds are:

·         Adams County Hospital, West Union

·         Allen Medical Center, Oberlin

·         Barnesville Hospital

·         Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center, Bluffton

·         Bucyrus Community Hospital

·         Community Hospital and Wellness Centers, Montpelier

·         Community Memorial Hospital, Hicksville

·         Defiance Regional Medical Center

·         Doctors Hospital of Nelsonville

·         Dunlap Memorial Hospital, Orrville

·         Fayette County Memorial Hospital

·         Fostoria Community Hospital

·         Fulton County Health Center, Wauseon

·         Galion Community Hospital

·         Greenfield Area Medical Center

·         Hardin Memorial Hospital, Kenton         

·         Harrison Community Hospital, Cadiz

·         H. B. Magruder Memorial Hospital, Port Clinton

·         Henry County Hospital, Napoleon

·         Highland District Hospital, Hillsboro

·         Hocking Valley Community Hospital, Logan

·         Holzer Medical Center, Jackson

·         Lodi Community Hospital

·         MedCentral Health System, Shelby Hospital

·         Mercy Hospital of Willard

·         Mercy Memorial Hospital - Urbana

·         Morrow County Hospital, Mount Gilead

·         Paulding County Hospital

·         Pike Community Hospital

·         Selby General Hospital, Marietta

·         Twin City Hospital Corporation, Dennison

·         University Hospitals Conneaut Medical Center

·         University Hospitals Geneva Medical Center

·         Wyandot Memorial Hospital, Upper Sandusky

The Foundation for Healthy Communities was established in 1994 and its mission is to advance good health for all Ohioans. It initiates and champions health improvement and education by engaging partners, promoting proven strategies and advocating for wellness. Learn more about the Foundation for Healthy Communities at www.HealthyCommunitiesOhio.org.

The Ohio Hospital Association was established in 1915 and currently represents 170 hospitals and 40 health systems throughout Ohio. OHA is a membership-driven organization that provides proactive leadership to create an environment in which Ohio hospitals are successful in serving their communities. Visit OHA at www.ohanet.org. 

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