Some Sonoma County Hospital Campus Buildings Still Need Seismic Upgrades
In other hospital news, flooding after a plugged sewer pipe won't stop the opening of a new wing at the Ventura County Medical Center, and St. Rose Hospital in the East Bay could get $8 million to help make its ends meet.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Buildings At Three Sonoma County Hospital Campuses Still Require Seismic Upgrades
Were a major earthquake to strike Sonoma County, 91 percent of the county’s 68 structures located on hospital campuses would probably remain standing and even continue providing services, state officials said. The bad news is some of the structures would likely be unusable after an earthquake including principal hospital facilities such as Healdsburg District Hospital’s main building, which houses the intensive care unit and medical/surgical patient rooms. Three of the county’s seven general acute care hospital campuses have a total of six buildings that would likely be knocked out of commission during an earthquake. (Espinoza, 1/1)
Ventura County Star:
VCMC Wing's Opening Unchanged Despite Flood
Flooding caused by a plugged sewer pipe in early December likely won’t delay the opening of a new wing at the Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, an official said. “We’re still tracking for May 7,” said Joan Araujo, chief deputy director for the Ventura County Health Care Agency. The flood happened on Dec. 7. Water flowed from two sinks in what will be the emergency department of the $305 million wing. Araujo said the pipe was plugged with construction debris. (Kisken, 12/31)
East Bay Times:
St. Rose Hospital Could Get $8 Million From Alameda County
After at least a decade of struggling to make ends meet, a funding proposal may help land St. Rose Hospital on stable ground while East Bay leaders create a long-term plan to sustain operations. The safety net hospital would get about $8 million under a joint proposal from Alameda County Health Care Services Agency and Alameda Health System. The money would be reallocated from funds set aside for indigent health care services at Alameda Health System facilities to St. Rose. (Moriki, 12/30)