3/28/14 Former Pomerene safety office to lead health district accreditation effort

                        
SUMMARY: Part-time position is "a step ahead" in accreditation process, health commissioner says A former safety officer at Pomerene Hospital will lead health district efforts in attaining state accreditation. The Holmes County Board of Health Friday March 21 approved the hire of Cynthia Norris to the position of accreditation coordinator. Norris’ contract is for $27/hour, not to exceed $28,000 per year. The position is part-time. Norris previously worked for Pomerene Hospital as safety officer and emergency management director. “In Cindy, I know we have a person who can give us great advice about documents, protocols and policies that we will need for accreditation,” Holmes County Health Commissioner Dr. D.J. McFadden said. “She will be looking at all the measures that are required of us, where we are meeting the measures and what we need to do where we are not meeting the measures, accurately determining what work we have yet to do.” Norris will act as a consultant in a pre-emptive move to meet accreditation standards set by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). Health districts have until 2020 to become accredited through PHAB if they are to receive state dollars. The health district receives anywhere from $400,000 to $500,000 from the state, funding such programs as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Help Me Grow. Accreditation requires health districts to prove they are meeting measures required by PHAB, backing up their claims with documentation. McFadden said the accreditation coordinator’s role is not required by PHAB until after a health district submits their application. McFadden said that by taking on the measures required by PHAB in the pre-application process, the health district should have a better chance at accreditation on its first try. “(Norris) is coming through before we apply so we have the strongest chance of accreditation,” McFadden said. “We’re adding a step ahead.” The health district is using $160,000 in state casino dollars to fund its accreditation bid. The money was given to the district in two $80,000 payments, one in 2013 and another this year, by the Holmes County Commissioners. The health district began the pre-application process in 2011, when it completed a community health assessment. Also required in the pre-application process is a community health improvement plan and a strategic plan. The strategic plan will be completed with assistance from the Ohio State University, McFadden said. A workforce development plan, required after the application process, is underway now, McFadden said. McFadden said he believes it will take a year to identify and examine all of the measures required by PHAB. If the health district applies for accreditation it 2015, it should hear from PHAB by 2016 whether or not they have successfully met all necessary measures. If not, McFadden said, the health district will have four years to try again.


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