Some Nurses Worried Dignity-Catholic Health Merger Will Result In Hospital Closures, Reduced Services
Members of the California Nursing Association want California Department of Justice officials to require Dignity to keep all its California hospitals open for 15 years.
Sacramento Bee:
Why Dignity Nurses Are Challenging Merger With Catholic Health Care Giant
The California Department of Justice will take comment Thursday in Woodland on whether it should approve the pending merger of San Francisco-based Dignity Health with health-care giant Catholic Health Initiatives, and this meeting, like others before it, is expected to draw a sea of red-shirted Dignity nurses opposing the deal. (Anderson, 9/1)
In other news from across the state —
The Washington Post:
Claire Wineland, Who Inspired Millions On YouTube Chronicling Her Cystic Fibrosis Battle, Has Died After A Lung Transplant
Claire Wineland spent nearly every hour of her two decades alive preparing for the end. The California native was diagnosed at birth with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that overloads the organs with an excess of mucus. The illness meant a life of painful treatment, hospital stays, and likely a premature death. But instead of wallowing in her situation, Wineland used social media platforms, like Instagram and YouTube, to pipe out the difficult details of her life to the public. Her videos and posts pulled in millions of viewers drawn to the magnetic teenager’s plucky humor and candor about living on the edge of death. (Swenson, 9/4)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Lawsuit Accuses Santa Rosa Oncologist Of Affair With Woman Under His Care
An oncologist in the Sutter Health network is being sued by a Santa Rosa woman who claims he had an emotionally and physically abusive relationship with her while she was under his medical care. The 20-page lawsuit, filed Thursday in Sonoma County Superior Court, accuses Dr. Peter Brett, who is part of Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods, alleges he used his authority as a physician to manipulate the woman, Sandi Gaytan, into a “co-dependent and sexual relationship,” taking advantage of Gaytan at a time when she was isolated and in poor physical and mental health. (Espinoza, 8/31)
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Timing Could Be Flexible For Tri-City Psychiatric Repairs
If they can show they’re taking patient safety seriously and have solid action plans in place to address hanging risks in their psychiatric units, hospitals are getting more time to comply from the federal government, according to a top executive at The Joint Commission, the organization that accredits nearly 21,000 hospitals nationwide. Possible citations under new federal “ligature” guidelines are among the main reasons why Tri-City Medical Center directors have said they must indefinitely suspend the Oceanside hospital’s inpatient behavioral health units on Oct. 2. (Sisson, 9/3)
San Francisco Chronicle:
State Prison Officials Investigating Inmate Construction Project For San Quentin Executive
California prison officials are “investigating the circumstances” surrounding a construction project that used inmate labor to build a family playhouse for a high-level official on San Quentin State Prison grounds. The canary yellow, Victorian-styled structure sits next door to the on-site home of the prison’s health care chief, Stephen Harris. (Cassidy, 8/31)