As Thanksgiving approaches, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering dedication and resilience demonstrated by hospitals across our region. This season reminds us to pause and reflect on the impact of our collective efforts in advancing health care and improving the lives of the people we serve.
It’s less than 24 hours after Election Day; many votes are still being counted, and our democracy is at work. A lot is at stake for our health care system. Elections shape the landscape in which hospitals operate, influencing everything from health care policy to funding priorities. Understanding and adapting to these shifts is essential to maintaining and advancing the quality of care we provide for our patients.
It’s October and we are observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While progress has been made, the month continues to serve as a powerful reminder of this disease’s prevalence.
Early in my career I was a hospital volunteer. As a pre-med student at the University of Arizona, I volunteered for hundreds of hours in the emergency department and hospice unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tucson, Ariz. It was an extraordinary experience that opened my eyes to the compassion and caring that volunteers bring to hospitals. I also saw firsthand the challenges that clinicians face every day. My time as a volunteer enhanced my appreciation of the health care system at a key point early in my career. I was inspired to continue helping people.
Emergency departments (EDs) serve their communities’ most urgent health care needs. They are often the first place patients — including those with behavioral health challenges or substance use disorders, as well as people experiencing homelessness — go to access health care.
Imagine being hungry and unable to afford food, or having to choose between buying groceries for your family or paying for medication to treat a chronic condition. Or perhaps having to decide between buying healthy fruits and vegetables or cheap processed foods for your kids. These are daily dilemmas for millions of people across California, including in San Diego and Imperial counties.
Hospitals are part of the fabric of the community, uniquely positioned to support residents’ health and social needs. To do this effectively, they must have a comprehensive understanding of the health challenges and resources needed in San Diego. That is why the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is such an essential tool — and with your help, we can ensure that our community partners and the communities we serve have the opportunity to share their perspectives.
Sometimes a major success can fly under the radar. That’s why it’s important to recognize the 40th anniversary of the San Diego County Trauma System. On Aug. 1, 1984, the first trauma patient arrived at a trauma center. Since then, the system has resulted in reduced mortality and morbidity rates from traumatic injuries while becoming an example for trauma care systems around the world. The numbers tell the story:
A major deadline looms for hospitals and our partners. On Sept. 1, hospitals are required to submit their Ambulance Patient Offload Time (APOT) reduction protocol under Assembly Bill (AB) 40. The standard is 30 minutes, 90% of the time for general, acute care hospitals with emergency departments (EDs).
Eric McDonald, MD, is retiring this Friday from San Diego County. He will be missed. Dr. McDonald’s career is a testament to compassionate leadership and a sincere commitment to public health.
