Rural Hospitals Enhance Emergency Medical Services
OHA Foundation Grants Boost Life Support Training

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Seven critical access hospitals are ensuring staff members are trained in the latest advanced life support methods for emergency services, assisted by $10,500 in grants from the 2010 Federal Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) and the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex) awarded by the Ohio Hospital Association’s Foundation for Healthy Communities. The hospitals that received grants are:

• Barnesville Hospital
• Doctors Hospital of Nelsonville
• Fayette County Memorial Hospital, Washington Court House

• Fulton County Health Center, Wauseon
• Henry County Hospital, Napoleon
• Magruder Hospital, Port Clinton
• Mercy Willard Hospital

The grants will enable hospital employees and volunteers to receive training in the areas of Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Medical Life Support, Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support in order to be well-prepared in emergencies.

Some hospitals are sending staff members to training programs and other hospital employees will attend sessions to become instructors and teach courses to be offered to community members. One hospital is also conducting a mock “code blue” for nursing staff to practice what steps they would take during cardiac emergencies.  

About the Foundation for Healthy Communities
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.

About OHA
The Ohio Hospital Association was established in 1915 and currently represents 168 hospitals and 18 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’s Web site at www.ohanet.org. Follow OHA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OhioHospitals. 

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