California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 12, 2009
Alvarado Parkway Institute, La Mesa
Alvarado Parkway Institute has ceased accepting nonemergency cases of mentally ill immigration detainees referred by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The Union-Tribune last month reported that the facility, acting in accordance with ICE security rules, shackled detainees to their beds 24 hours a day.
Disability Rights California has claimed that the conditions violate state laws dictating the treatment of mentally ill patients.
According to Alvarado CEO Patrick Zeimer, the hospital is caught in a "political" situation between DRC and ICE and will wait until the groups reach an agreement, but meanwhile the hospital is still required to abide by ICE rules for detainees in need of emergency care (Moran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/11).
Clovis Community Medical Center, Fresno
Clovis is reviewing a 10-year growth plan for the Clovis Community Medical Center that would increase its size from 242,850 square feet to about 739,000 square feet, the Fresno Bee reports.
The plan includes a new four-story tower that would house emergency and surgical services, a parking structure, helicopter landing pad and new offices.
The proposal would almost double the number of hospital beds, from 109 to 208.
On June 17, the Clovis Planning Commission will discuss the certification of an environmental report required for such developments and will make a recommendation to the city council on whether the plan should proceed (Benjamin, Fresno Bee, 6/9).
Lodi Memorial Hospital
On June 8, Lodi Memorial Hospital President and CEO Joe Harrington announced that employee benefits will be reduced in an effort to cope with losses of about $17,500 per day, the Stockton Record reports.
The cuts will take effect July 19 and apply to pay raises, accrual of paid time off and employer contributions to the 403(b) retirement plan. In addition, employees' health insurance deductibles will increase from $100 to $300, and they will have to begin paying $80 per pay period toward their premiums, with more required for family members (Goldeen, Stockton Record, 6/9).
Northern California Regional Center for Radiosurgery, San Francisco
On June 5, South San Francisco and state officials toured Kaiser Permanente's newly opened Northern California Regional Center for Radiosurgery, the San Mateo County Times reports.
The facility opened May 6. It is expected to begin treating inoperable early-stage lung cancer and spinal tumors later this year, Director of Radiation Oncology Services Joseph Song said.
About 1,000 cancer patients are expected to be treated at the center annually (Morente, San Mateo County Times, 6/5).
St. Rose Hospital, Hayward
St. Rose Hospital is set to undertake a planned expansion project after selling $42 million in bonds and receiving a $10 million donation from a local family, the Contra Costa Times reports.
The money has long been designated for seismic retrofitting and to convert the fifth floor of the 163-bed facility into a ward of 30 single-patient rooms.
The Contra Costa Times reports that the new facility is expected to be open within the next year, and that the bonds will be paid back from hospital revenue.
CEO Michael Mahoney said that given the eventual closure of Kaiser's Hayward Medical Center and the questionable status of San Leandro Hospital, St. Rose's new beds will be in demand (Kurhi, Contra Costa Times, 6/5).
UC-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento
The American College of Surgeons designated UC-Davis Medical Center as a Level 1 trauma center for adults and children, making the facility one of fewer than 20 U.S. hospitals to be given the dual distinction, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
Level 1 trauma centers must have a specific number of available surgeons and specialists -- including cardiac surgeons, neurosurgeons and anesthesiologists -- as well as education and research programs and community prevention and outreach programs. Level 1 trauma centers are required to admit at least 1,200 patients annually.
UC-Davis admitted 2,836 patients in 2008 (Sacramento Business Journal, 6/8).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.