California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 9, 2015
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Berkeley-Oakland
On Thursday, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center offered no-cost, anonymous screenings for depression, the San Jose Mercury News reports. The screenings were offered online and in person.
Nancy Maguire, supervising psychologist at the hospital, said, "It's important to learn the signs and symptoms of depression: changes in appetite, loss of energy or interest in usual activities" (Lochner, San Jose Mercury News, 10/7).
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has been re-designated as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology, according to a release.
The hospital received the designation from the American Association of Gynecologic Laproscopists and the Surgical Review Corporation. Five physicians at the hospital also were named COEMIG designees (Hoag release, 10/7).
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente will require its hospital employees who have direct patient contact to get an influenza vaccination, the Sacramento Bee reports.
The vaccinations are required under a new three-year contract ratified by Kaiser's 28 hospital unions across the country. The requirement affects about 105,000 Kaiser employees, including 5,700 in California. Those who do not want to get a flu shot for medical or other reasons will be required to sign a refusal form and wear a facemask when in direct contact with patients (Buck, Sacramento Bee, 10/1).
Sonoma West Medical Center
The Sonoma West Medical Center is losing about $1 million every month that it remains closed, the Long Beach Press Democrat reports.
The new hospital, which is replacing the failed Palm Drive Hospital, was supposed to open by April. However, hospital officials and the state Department of Public Health now are unsure when it will officially open. Public health officials said they are working with the hospital to remedy "deficiencies" found in its certification survey (Espinoza, Long Beach Press Democrat, 10/6).
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