Latest California Healthline Stories
Audit: Health Care Services Data Bank, Others Flawed
The state Bureau of Audits found that more than half of the 68 data banks its auditors examined in 2006 and 2007 were unreliable or of questionable value. For example, a Department of Health Care Services data bank managed by Electronic Data Systems authorized $5.1 million in overpayments to 532 facilities. Sacramento Bee.
Debate Heats Up Over Children’s Hospital Funding
Proposition 3 on the Nov. 4 California ballot would provide almost $1 billion for capital expenses at children’s hospitals. Supporters say the funds are needed to ensure health care access to children, but opponents argue that the state cannot afford the measure right now. KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 24, 2008
Constructions plans for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Stanford Hospital were rolled out this week, while Kaiser received an extension to submit plans for its Oakland Medical Center. Mission Hospital’s new Women’s Health Center also debuted this week.
California Nursing Board OKs New Fingerprinting Requirement
In response to a newspaper investigation that found California nurses had kept their licenses despite criminal convictions, the California Board of Registered Nursing approved new rules that will require nurses to be fingerprinted as part of the state licensing process. Los Angeles Times.
Growing Budget Gap Pushes Nurse Staffing Cuts in Fresno County
Fresno County supervisors OK’d a plan that will reduce nurse staffing during night shifts at the county jail and scale back nurse staffing at the juvenile hall and a county clinic. It is the fourth proposal that supervisors considered to cut $1.6 million from the county Public Health Department. Fresno Bee.
USC Social Work Program To Address Military Needs
Beginning next fall, USC’s School of Social Work will offer a military specialization within its two-year master’s program in social work. The program aims to address the growing demand for therapists who understand the challenges military families face. Los Angeles Times.
Sonoma County OKs Change in Oversight of Doctor Training Program
Under the newly approved plan, the Family Medicine Residency Program in Sonoma County will be governed by a consortium that includes representatives from Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, the county and UC-San Francisco Medical Center. Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Study Documents Improved Trauma Care at L.A. County Hospital
Research in the journal American Surgeon found that the probability of death for trauma patients at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center dropped by almost one-third after its patient load increased following the closure of Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital’s trauma center. Los Angeles Times.
More People Skipping Health Care Because of Financial Concerns
Recent research shows that the slowdown of the U.S. economy has prompted a growing number of Americans to skip medications, forgo preventive care and delay screenings and other services. A health care industry group leader says elective procedures at hospitals also are on the decline. AP/Salt Lake Tribune.
Changes in Health Insurance Market Met With Resistance
A Los Angeles Times series this week highlighted shifts in the health insurance industry that consumer advocates, physicians, hospitals and other health care leaders maintain are undercutting the traditional health insurance market. Increased use of individual coverage and consumer-driven health care are two of the more controversial issues. Los Angeles Times.