Latest California Healthline Stories
UC Struggles To Meet Demand of Students Requesting Mental Health Services
University of California students seeking mental health care are facing wait times of four weeks or longer as the university system struggles to keep up with demand. During a UC Regents board meeting, officials revealed data that showed the number of students visiting university counseling centers has increased by 37% in the last six years. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Brown Vetoes Bills Requiring Extra Training for Coroners, Mental Health Care Professionals
On Thursday, Gov. Brown vetoed two bills that would have required coroners and mental health professionals to take on additional tasks. One bill would have required coroners to recommend parents and guardians of children who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome to take tissue samples to investigate their deaths, while the other would have required mental health care professionals in the state to undergo suicide prevention training. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Need for Allied Health Workers in Calif. To Grow Over Next Decade
A new report by the Public Policy Institute of California finds that about 40% of the new health care jobs needed to be filled in California over the next decade will require just a two-year degree or post-secondary educational certificate, rather than a bachelor’s degree. Central Valley Business Times et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 19, 2014
Nurses at Fallbrook Hospital criticize the hospital’s recent decision to close its labor and delivery department, citing dangers for pregnant patients. UCLA Health System launches a telemedicine program that allows consumers to contact their physicians via cell phones, computers and tablets.
Senate Democrats Block Bill That Would Have Let Insurers Sell Non-ACA-Compliant Health Plans
On Wednesday, Sen. Chris Murphy blocked an attempt by Sen. David Vitter to pass a bill that would have let insurers sell employer-based health plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act’s minimum coverage standards through 2018. The House last week voted 247-167 to approve the legislation. The Hill‘s “Floor Action.”
Stanford Study: Google Glass Helps Surgical Residents Identify Complications Faster
A pilot study by Stanford University finds that surgical residents who used Google Glass to monitor patients’ vital signs during simulated surgeries were able to more quickly identify and better address complications than surgeons who did not. The study found that residents who used a Google Glass program while performing a mock tube placement surgery identified simulated hypotension 10.5 seconds sooner than the control group. MobiHealthNews.
IOM Report Calls on U.S. To Overhaul End-of-Life Care
A new Institute of Medicine report says the U.S. needs to overhaul its end-of-life care services to improve quality of life for patients in their final days and reduce rising health care costs. According to the report, the current U.S. health care system is poorly equipped to handle end-of-life care. New York Times et al.
Vaccine Rates at Some L.A. Area Schools Match Developing Countries
An investigation finds that a high rate of personal belief exemptions filed at some Los Angeles area schools have led to vaccination rates as low as some developing countries, such as Chad and South Sudan. Experts say low vaccination rates increase the likelihood of disease outbreaks. Hollywood Reporter, The Atlantic.
Majority of U.S. Residents Happy With Exchange Plans, Poll Finds
A Commonwealth Fund survey finds that a majority of U.S. residents ages 19 to 64 say they are happy with the health plans they purchased through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges during the first open enrollment period. However, the survey shows a partisan divide in residents’ opinions of the exchange shopping experience. The Hill, Commonwealth Fund release.
Brown Signs Legislation Expanding Role of Pharmacy Technicians
Gov. Brown has signed a bill that allows pharmacy technicians to check drug supplies and report irregularities, pack and replenish emergency supplies, and seal emergency containers. In addition, the new law requires hospitals to create policies to ensure drugs are properly repackaged. Sacramento Business Journal.