Laboratory Without Walls:
WCORHA developed a new corporation called New Vision Laboratory. The organization was designed to function as a “laboratory without walls” and began as a regional effort which resulted in a joint venture between St. Rita’s Medical Center and Van Wert County Hospital. This unique and innovative organization is currently servicing the two facilities with a projected combined annual savings for the participating members estimated to be $3 million dollars

Rehabilitative Services:
WCORHA employs speech therapists to provide services to two member hospitals, but if needed, could expand to additional members. The initiative has increased the revenue of each program by more than 200% and has resulted in approximately $20,000 in annual savings.

Enterostomal Therapy Services:
WCORHA employs enterostomal therapy nurses to provide wound and stoma care services to home health and hospital patients for two of the member hospitals. These services are provided on an “as needed” basis in order to help members provide services that are needed but their volumes do not justify hiring and maintaining full time trained personnel to provide the services.

Education:
WCORHA members shared their educational calendars in order to provide joint educational programs for management and staff. In addition, the members provide mock JCAHO surveys for each other.

Advisory Team Participation:
WCORHA coordinates Advisory Teams meetings on a regular basis to discuss collaborative ventures, JCAHO standards, review cost savings and quality improvement opportunities and to facilitate the ability of managers to network with their colleagues. Examples of Advisory Teams include, but are not limited to Materials Management, Occupational Health, Radiology, Clinical and Bio-Medical Engineering, OB and Home Health.

Business Development Opportunities:
WCORHA functions as a business development arm for member facilities when marketing analysis and feasibility studies justify the development of services through joint venture efforts. Two major efforts developed through WCORHA include the development of New Vision Laboratories and The Cancer Network of West Central Ohio.

• New Vision Laboratories was developed through WCORHA and became a joint venture between two members, i.e. Van Wert County Hospital and St. Rita’s Medical Center. The laboratory services of both hospitals were combined in order to streamline costs and improve quality of care.

• The Cancer Network of West Central Ohio was developed in order to regionalize the cancer services in West Central Ohio and make accessibility to services for patients easier. In order to accomplish this goal, two free-standing cancer centers were built, i.e. The Grand Lake Regional Cancer Center located in Celina, OH and High Point Regional Cancer Center located in Bellefontaine, OH.