Controversy Over Sonoma West Medical Center’s Defunct Drug Testing Program Prompts Talks Of Selling Hospital
Hospital district board member Jim Horn said the hospital is sure to have significant monthly losses now that its toxicology partnership with Durall is dead. The hospital stopped doing drug testing for Durall after insurance giant Anthem Blue Cross accused the hospital and health care district of participating in a business fraud scheme.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Sonoma West Medical Center At A Crossroads After Losing Lucrative Drug-Screening Revenue
Even as critics of the district and hospital raise red flags about the hospital’s financial viability, citing persistent debt and potential legal liabilities surrounding a lucrative but now-defunct drug testing program, [Dennis Colthurst, president of the board of directors of the Palm Drive Health Care District,] remains optimistic about the hospital’s future. “We’re treating patients, our emergency room, our surgery department are open,” Colthurst said. “We’re OK right now. We’re looking at the next steps to increase revenue through extra lines of work.” But for some hospital observers and critics, the controversy surrounding the hospital toxicology program demonstrates poor leadership on the part of both the hospital and district, and the best solution may be to sell it. (Espinoza, 4/15)
In other news from across the state —
Ventura County Star:
Study: Prescriber Shortage Keeps Opioid Users From Meds
If all 7,300 Ventura County residents battling opioid addiction tried to get treatment, more than half might struggle to find medications that are used to wean people off the drugs, researchers say. Data presented by the Urban Institute and the California Healthcare Foundation claims a shortage of prescribing doctors and treatment programs creates a care gap across California and in Ventura County. Researchers focused on the availability of methadone and buprenorphine, medications used to treat addictions to heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl and other opioids that are feeding a nationwide crisis. (Kisken, 4/14)
Ventura County Star:
Simi Valley Toddler Thrives With Half A Heart
Olivia Huss was born with hands and feet the color of her eyes: Blue. The now 21-month-old from Simi Valley was born with a left ventricle the size of a sliver and unable to pump. This meant red blood that typically comes from the left side of her heart mixed with the blue, oxygen-poor blood coming from the right, rushing to her major organs. (Kisken, 4/13)