Ventilator Inventory,
Death Certificate Reporting & Surge Survey
April 1, 2020
Ohio Health Care Provider Staffing Survey
Below is a link to a survey about COVID-19 staffing. The goal of this survey is to identify unaffiliated personnel (people not already being counted by hospitals) who could a support potential hospital surge from COVID-19. Support may be needed for both clinical and behavioral health care. This is an unprecedented incident, and we may need the entirety of the State of Ohio, working together, to mount an effective response. Available and interested personnel will be contacted by a representative from the State of Ohio to discuss next steps to ready you for deployment. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO COMPLETE THIS SURVEY.
Mandatory Ohio Ventilator Inventory
Ohio Department of Health Director, Amy Acton, MD, MPH has issued an order requiring weekly online reporting of these devices by any entity in the supply chain, from creation through end-use. Examples are manufacturers, producers, wholesalers, transporters, distributors, retailers, physicians, clinics, hospitals, and medical facilities.
Along with mechanical ventilators, other devices to be reported are CPAP and BiPAP machines commonly used to treat sleep apnea, as well as anesthetic machines, and various treatment masks and tubing. Exemptions include ventilators in the possession of individuals for personal use and ventilators that are in transit across Ohio but are being delivered from and to other states.
Inventory is to be reported online at coronavirus.ohio.gov/VentInventory each Wednesday by 5 p.m. with the first report due Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Innovate Ohio assisted in creating the web-based reporting form. Hospitals must also continue to report daily ventilator data through the Ohio Hospital Association reporting tool.
Electronic Death Certificate Reporting
The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency remind physicians to utilize the electronic death registration system (EDRS) to ensure death certificates are created in a timely manner during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohio physicians have the ability to electronically complete and sign/certify the cause of death for Ohio records in the EDRS. CLICK HERE FOR TUTORIALS AND INFORMATION ON USING EDRS.
Medical Board Staff Continues Working Remotely
Governor DeWine announced that he is extending the directive that State of Ohio employees work remotely through at least Friday, May 1, 2020. This includes State Medical Board of Ohio employees. Staff will continue serving the needs of licensees and protecting the health and safety of Ohioans. Your patience in any delayed responses is appreciated. Inquiries should be sent to License@med.ohio.gov (licensing questions) or Contact@med.ohio.gov (general questions) for the most rapid responses. The next Medical Board meeting is still scheduled for April 8, and will be livestreamed on the board's YouTube channel.
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