Pomerene board learns prescription drug abuse has increased dramatically
During their July 22 meeting, the Pomerene Hospital board of trustees were educated on the growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse, explored 2010 Environment of Care (EOC) goals, and had an update on the Amish Services Program.Dr. DJ McFadden, M.D., Holmes County health commissioner, along with members of the Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force and Millersburg Police Detective Roger Estill, educated the board on prescription drug abuse that keeps growing through the years. McFadden noted that there are about four deaths per day from unintentional drug overdoses in Ohio and 72 deaths in the United States per day. From 1999 to 2008, there has been a 319 percent increase in unintentional poisonings in Ohio.This has resulted in unintentional poisonings being the number one unintentional cause of death, McFadden said. It surpassed motor vehicle crashes last year.Nicole Gemma, CNO of Pomerene Hospital, presented the 2010 goals of EOC. The EOC has evaluated and updated hospital codes and completed the Emergency Operations Plan, which took about 10 months. The hospital codes have now been standardized, so they are all the same across Ohio.EOC has also implemented Hazmat inspections and increased communication and education.I think thats probably our biggest thing weve had an opportunity for, is getting more down to our line staff, Gemma said. They are just as much a part of this as we are. Laura Schlabach, Amish Advocate at Pomerene Hospital, updated the board on the Amish Services Program, which began about four years ago. Schlabach noted that Pomerene sees more Amish patients than any other hospital in the world.Schlabach also talked about package pricing and stated that the number of packages has increased dramatically in recent years. In 2006, 104 packages were used, in 2009, 935 packages were used and so far in 2010, 550 packages have been used. Pomerene offers 30 surgical packages and 100 radiology packages, for which payment must be made at the time of service. Schlabach has received numerous calls from interested persons in 15 different states on the packages offered.Schlabach touched on the new Amish House metal roof that was completely donated a couple of weeks ago. The workers came from surrounding counties and stayed at the house while they worked. We fed them, that was it, Schlabach said. They dont want their names out there, they said it was just an Amish community joint effort.Before the conclusion of the meeting, Pomerene CEO Tony Snyder asked the board to approve a resolution that would seek relief from the Ohio Hospital Tax, which will be mailed to Gov. Strickland. That resolution was approved by members of the board.Its intent details a little bit of the impact on Pomerene specifically, but all Ohio hospitals, Snyder said. What were seeking here is for the governor to work with the Ohio Hospital Association to find some relief from the Ohio Hospital Tax.The next meeting of the board will be Thursday, August 26, at 5 p.m.
