Columbus Regional Health has denied a request from The Republic to provide a copy of its contract with the Cleveland Clinic to join a program aiming to offer hospitals and health systems around the world access to some of the Ohio-based health system’s resources and expertise to enhance patient experience and care, safety and outcomes.

The program, called Cleveland Clinic Connected, seeks to build a global network of what the Ohio-based health system has described as “independent, like-minded, quality-focused organizations that have a positive impact on patient care around the world.”

The two organizations announced earlier this month that CRH had joined the program.

CRH has characterized its contract with Cleveland Clinic as a “multi-year agreement” in which CRH pays a fee “to cover the resources that (CRH) will be tapping into through this program.” The Republic is seeking information on how much money the hospital system is paying to be part of the program.

However, CRH officials have declined to provide more information about the terms of the agreement, saying it is “proprietary” and not subject to disclosure. CRH is a county-owned hospital.

CRH General Counsel Kathryn Cordell said the contract is “declared confidential” under state law and contains trade secrets.

The Republic has asked the Indiana Public Access Counselor to review CRH’s interpretation of public records laws.

CRH is the second U.S. member of the Cleveland Clinic Connected program and the first in Indiana, officials said. This past March, Parrish Medical Center in Florida announced that it had become the first U.S. hospital to join the program.

Through the program, CRH physicians will gain access to unique educational opportunities, as well as best practices and protocols that are used at Cleveland Clinic locations around the world, officials said. CRH physicians will also be able to request input from Cleveland Clinic subspecialists regarding complex cases.

Cleveland Clinic Connected member institutions retain full ownership and management of their facilities while collaborating with Cleveland Clinic experts, according to the program’s website. Cleveland Clinic physicians do not provide care at member facilities.
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