Tabletop Exercise: HASD&IC and several hospital members participated in the 2021 San Diego Regional Tabletop Exercise on July 27. Over 125 participants took part, including representatives from:
- San Diego County’s 18 cities
- California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
- California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
- County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services Public Health Emergency Preparedness, and Emergency Medical Services
- Naval Medical Forces Pacific
- Marine Corps
- San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
- San Diego County Water Authority
- San Diego County Fire and Rescue
- SDG&E
- San Diego County FBI Division
- San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
- Multiple member hospital emergency management leads
The tabletop scenario involved unknown individuals conducting targeted attacks using truck-mounted electromagnetic pulse devices that caused explosions at two electric substations in the County of San Diego.
Imperial County PeerLINKS Program: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Diego has partnered with San Diego Regional Center to provide peer assisted supports through NAMI’s successful PeerLINKS program. The program, which has been provided in San Diego County since 2016, has had statistically significant outcomes, including a reduction in emergency visits and hospital stays, enhanced education and networking with other behavioral health services, increased access to necessary services through in-reach activities, outreach and education, and peer supports. The PeerLINKS Imperial Valley project will serve 50 individuals and 40 families per year. It will also conduct outreach and training with 20 clinicians, 20 service providers, and 20 professionals who provide support in other areas (for example, staff from adult protective services, etc.).
Medi-Cal COVID-19 Vaccine Rates: Recent data released by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) notes that while Medi-Cal COVID-19 vaccination rates are gradually improving across the state, the percentage of Medi-Cal beneficiaries with at least one dose lags the population-at-large rate, sometimes by as much as 30%. To help bridge the gap, DHCS is strengthening its efforts to work with managed care plans, local public health departments, agencies, and stakeholders serving our homebound populations, as well as providers, health systems, and community-based organizations to improve vaccination rates and help ensure that its beneficiaries are protected against COVID-19. In addition, DHCS released All Plan Letter 20-022, which includes guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccine coverage and administration in the Medi-Cal program.
HQI Cares: CHA, the Hospital Quality Institute (HQI), and CHA’s three Regional Associations have launched a new program called HQI Cares: Implementing BETA HEART® to Build a Culture of Safety. This fee-for-service program is the result of a partnership with BETA Healthcare Group and is designed to create a foundational shift in supporting health care workers on their journey to establishing a culture of safety. It works by helping hospitals implement:
- A culture of safety within your organization
- Rapid adverse event investigation and analysis
- Transparent communication about adverse events with patients and families
- Care for the caregiver involved in an adverse event
- Early resolution when harm is the result of an error
For more information about the program, contact HQI’s Boris Kalanj at bkalanj@hqinstitute.org.
Vaccinate All 58: The California Department of Public Health hosted a webinar to share resources for effective patient conversations about the COVID-19 vaccines. These communications tools include 30 Conversations in 30 Days as well as FAQs. The slides from the webinar are available now; a recording of the webinar is also available.
