HEALTH SERVICES CAPACITY TASK FORCE: The All-Hazard Health Services Capacity Management Plan activation level has been elevated from Level 3 Partial Activation to Level 2 Escalated Activation. Over the last week, system metrics have suggested increasing stresses on health care capacity. These indicators include increased emergency department boarders, larger emergency medical services system volumes, and rising wastewater viral detections. Close system monitoring is ongoing to determine the need to escalate to a higher plan level and various mitigation tools may be activated if necessary. Maintaining masking, physical distancing, and other protective practices are vital to minimizing the level of the current patient surge, and vaccinations and boosters against COVID-19 and influenza are strongly encouraged. The Health Services Capacity Task Force Operational Group continues to meet regularly, and sector representatives will provide important updates, facilitate information sharing, and recommend coordinated plan actions to optimize health care delivery countywide.
REGIONAL RESILIENCY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (RRAP): The San Diego Regional Healthcare Cyber Resilience RRAP, which is spearheaded by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, will study the vulnerability and resiliency of the regional hospital network to a cyberattack and seeks to answer, “What is the impact of a major cyberattack on San Diego’s hospital network?” The County of San Diego Public Health Preparedness Branch will be reaching out to Imperial County Public Health to engage them in the project since both counties are interdependent for many patients. The goal of the project is to create a regional playbook for responding to cyberattacks because hospitals have learned that if one site is attacked it impacts the regional system and they must be prepared to ensure patient care is prioritized.
HEALTH WORKER SYMPOSIUM: A new report, Addressing San Diego’s Behavioral Health Worker Shortage, will be presented at the symposium on Aug. 23 at the Central Downtown Library, Neil Morgan Auditorium. The report was commissioned by Nathan Fletcher, chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, with support from the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Behavioral Health Services, and a Behavioral Health Workforce Steering Committee. The event is free, but registration is required. Breakfast will be served. Seating is limited and it is requested that only one person from an organization attend. Registrants are asked to release their tickets if they are unable to attend.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Several resources are currently available.
- The CA Bridge Program has released its report on Racial Disparities in Access to Medication for Addiction Treatment.
- The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) California Advancing Innovation in Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Community Supports Spotlight Webinar features Sobering Centers and Day Habilitation. The presentation slides, recording of the webinar, and transcript are available on DHCS’ CalAIM Community Supports web page under the Informational Webinars section. In addition, DHCS will hold Community Supports Spotlight webinar on Recuperative Care and Short-Term Post-Hospitalization Housing on Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. (PT).
The County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency, along with the Healthy San Diego Behavioral Health Subcommittee, is presenting an overview of CalAIM services in a Zoom presentation on Aug. 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. (PT). The presentation is geared toward all collaborative attendees, community programs, and their line staff.
HEALTH CARE SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOAN REPAYMENT: The Department of Health Care Access and Information has the following open applications. The cycles close on Oct. 31. For more information, visit the program pages:
