Rural Hospitals Get Federal, State Grants

COLUMBUS – Small and rural hospitals across Ohio are improving services to their communities thanks to $657,763 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.

Receiving grants of $19,932 each are 33 hospitals designated as Critical Access Hospitals. The funds are from the Ohio Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) and the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex). The funds can be used by the hospitals for quality improvement projects, to help reduce medical errors, improve networking, to comply with requirements of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and to improve emergency medical services.

Among projects the funds are supporting include plans to:

§         improve pediatric rehabilitation therapy

§         acquire mobile lift equipment to help move patients safely

§         upgrade cardiac monitors

§         obtain a secure radio system for improved communications with emergency services

§         improve privacy of patient registration process

§         enhance communications between nurses and nurse managers.

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 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 178 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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