Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospitals Testing Cleaning Methods for Scopes Linked to Outbreaks
U.S. hospitals are working to identify the best method for cleaning medical endoscopes that have been linked to superbug outbreaks this year at hospitals in California and other states. Meanwhile, Virginia Mason Medical Center has joined a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the endoscopes. Los Angeles Times, Reuters.
Health Care Experiences Vary for Limited-English Speakers
Californians who speak limited or no English often have inconsistent experiences when seeking health care. For instance, some rely on hired translators or relatives to understand physicians’ instructions, while others seek care at facilities with Spanish-speaking providers. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Editorial Calls for Higher Medi-Cal Reimbursement Rates
“Increasing Medi-Cal reimbursement rates [would] attract more doctors to the program, improve the overall health of Californians and help secure the success of health care reforms,” a San Jose Mercury News editorial states. It urges Gov. Brown to include funding in his May revised budget plan to increate Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, but adds that “the governor has to date shown zero inclination to raise rates that rank among the worst in the nation.” San Jose Mercury News.
Berkeley Store Owners Raise Concerns Over Proposal To Ban Tobacco Products Near Parks, Schools
Berkeley officials are working to ease a proposal that would ban the sale of electronic cigarettes and flavored tobacco products within 1,000 feet of parks or schools after numerous business owners voiced concerns about staying open. The proposal would have affected 63 of the 84 stores that sell tobacco products in Berkeley. KQED.
Survey: Southern Calif. Small Business Owners More Optimistic About Changes in Health Care Industry
About 38% of Southern California small business owners believe the changes in the health care industry will have a negative effect on their business, down from 56% in 2014, according to a survey by U.S. Bank. Meanwhile, the survey found 26% said the changes in the health care industry will have a positive effect on their business. Orange County Register.
Calif. Hospitals Working To Cut Water Use Amid Severe Drought
Many California health care systems — including Kaiser Permanente, Stanford Health Care and Sutter Health — have launched initiatives to reduce their water use amid an ongoing drought in the state. Hospitals can be big consumers of water, with U.S. hospitals in 2007 using about 145,000 gallons per bed. Modern Healthcare.
U.S. Cancer Center Finalizes Agreement To Obtain Lung Cancer Vaccine From Cuba
New York-based Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Cuba’s Center for Molecular Immunology last month finalized an agreement to bring a lung cancer vaccine to the U.S., setting it up for potential FDA approval. The lung cancer vaccine, called Cimavax, does not cure or prevent lung cancer. Rather than combatting tumors directly, it works to keep tumors from metastasizing and growing, which can make a late-stage growth more manageable. Wired, Washington Post‘s “Morning Mix.”
Scripps, Sharp Join San Diego Health Data Exchange
Scripps Health and Sharp Healthcare have announced they will join San Diego Health Connect, a health information exchange funded with $15.3 million from the HITECH Act. The exchange began as the San Diego Beacon Community and soon will enable authorized providers to access health care data on 2.7 million residents in San Diego County. Scripps and Sharp expect their data to be included on the exchange this summer. Health Data Management.
FDA To Ease MSM Blood Donations; Ban Lifted on HIV Organ Donation
FDA has released draft guidelines that would allow men who have sex with men to donate blood after one year since last having sex with another man. Meanwhile, HHS has issued a final rule to allow individuals who have HIV to donate organs to others with the virus. Washington Post et al.
‘Preference-Sensitive’ Procedures Rise Among ACA’s Newly Insured
A report from the Society of Actuaries finds that “preference-sensitive” medical procedures, such as knee replacements, were “unusually popular” in the first few months of 2014 among newly insured U.S. residents who gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act. National Journal.