Latest California Healthline Stories
Groups Release Hospital Infection Control Guidelines
On Wednesday, the country’s top epidemiological societies partnered with the American Hospital Association and the Joint Commission to issue a summary of guidelines for improving hospitals’ infection control to prevent six lethal conditions. The recommended practices do not vary significantly from previously released guidelines but are written more clearly and concisely, according to the authors. New York Times.
State Workers Get Thousands for Overtime, Unused Leave
More than 400 state workers, including prison physicians, received thousands of dollars for unused time off when they left their jobs in the 2007-2008 fiscal year, according to a computer analysis of payroll records from the state controller. The practice cost the state $174 million last year. San Jose Mercury News.
Riverside County Leader Touts Plan Aimed at Reining In ED Usage
Riverside County Supervisor Bob Buster is pushing a plan that would have the county hospital and a local Medi-Cal managed care plan study options for curbing unnecessary visits by Medi-Cal beneficiaries to hospital emergency departments. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries Could See Drop in Rx Plan Options
An analysis by Avalere Health projects that low-income Medicare beneficiaries will have fewer coverage options under the Medicare drug benefit in 2009. Researchers expect Wisconsin to be the only state in the nation where low-income beneficiaries’ drug plan options will not drop. USA Today.
Walgreen Withdraws $2.8B Offer for Longs Drug Stores
Walgreen has withdrawn its unsolicited $2.8 billion offer to purchase California-based Longs Drugs Stores. Walgreen made the offer last month after rival CVS Caremark’s proposed $2.7 billion purchase of Longs had cleared regulatory hurdles. Members of the Longs board of directors said they would not consider Walgreen’s higher offer because there were no assurances that it would receive regulatory approval. East Bay Business Times.
Opinion Piece Criticizes Parental Notification Measure
In an opinion piece, Jasmyne Cannick, a Los Angeles-based critic and commentator, urges voters to reject Proposition 4, which would require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion. She writes, “Proposition 4 isn’t going to put an end to teenage pregnancies, I can assure you of that.” Capitol Weekly.
Judge Orders Funding Details for Upgrades to Prison Medical System
U.S. District Court Judge Thelton Henderson directed California officials to explain how the state will provide the first $250 million of a plan to build new prison health facilities. The court-appointed receiver for the medical system has requested $8 billion for the project. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
California Hospitals Will Face Jump in Fines for Lapses in Care
Last week, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed a bill that increased the maximum penalty for hospital violations that jeopardize patient safety. Under the new law, repeat offenses could be punished by a fine of $100,000, four times what is permitted under current state law. Hospital officials are skeptical that the higher penalties will do much to improve patient care. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
L.A. County Budget Hit by Funding Cuts, Jump in Demand for Services
Los Angeles County will get almost $130 million less than expected under the recently approved state budget. Officials worry that a drop in federal funds could be next, dealing a hard blow to the county health care system. The county’s Medi-Cal rolls have jumped by 100,000 in the past year. Los Angeles Times.
Traffic Noise Puts 1 in 6 S.F. Residents’ Health at Risk
San Francisco public health officials have found that traffic noise has put nearly one in six residents at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and other stress-related illnesses. The assessment by San Francisco and UC-Berkeley researchers was based on population, traffic congestion, topography and decibel readings. San Francisco Chronicle.