Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospitals Begin Submitting Reports on Compliance With Seismic Safety Standards
Paul Coleman of OSHPD, Roger Richter of the California Hospital Association and former RAND researcher Charles Meade spoke with California Healthline about hospitals’ efforts to meet state earthquake safety standards.
Urgent Care Clinics Arrive With Mixed Reviews in San Diego
The country’s only national urgent care franchise, Doctors Express, opened its first California-based center in San Diego this fall, with a second on its way in early 2011. Not everyone is convinced the new centers will provide much-needed relief to local emergency departments.
End-of-Life Expert Susan Tolle on Rolling Out Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Susan Tolle of the Oregon Health & Science University spoke with California Healthline about how California could learn from Oregon’s experience implementing Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment.
Children’s Advocates Welcome Help, Hope for Solutions
Although they’re grateful for interim funding and court orders extending subsidies for child care, California children’s advocates hope permanent change will arrive in Sacramento in January with a new governor and Legislature.
Inland Empire Hospitals Get Creative To Cope With Busy EDs
Hospitals in the Inland Empire are experimenting with creative techniques aimed at decreasing wait times in busy and sometimes crowded emergency departments. Online check-in systems and text messaging services are a couple of the newest tools.
Health Care Futurist Questions U.S. Health IT Strategy
In an interview with California Healthline, health care futurist Jeff Goldsmith said information technology adoption has lagged in the health care industry because there’s no definable return on investment and questioned whether the “meaningful use” incentive program will be successful in improving the rate of adoption.
Palliative Care for Kids Takes Root in L.A., Orange County
A Medi-Cal waiver is helping to alter the cure-versus-care landscape for California’s youngest patients with chronic conditions. At-home palliative care programs for such children are taking root in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Several Factors Contributing to California’s Record-Breaking Whooping Cough Epidemic
James Cherry of UCLA, Kathleen Harriman of the California Department of Public Health and Yvonne Maldonado of Stanford University spoke with California Healthline about the state’s recent whooping cough outbreak.
San Diego Veterans Encouraged by New PTSD Rules
Under new Department of Veterans Affairs regulations, the evidence required to prove claims of post-traumatic stress disorder has been dramatically reduced. Officials expect this will streamline the claims process and make benefits available to a greater number of San Diego veterans.
Silicon Valley Wrestles With Reform Implications
Silicon Valley health officials outlined Santa Clara County’s health care reform strategy at a recent conference, calling for outreach efforts and an expanded safety net to deal with growing numbers of uninsured residents who will soon become part of the system.