About Emergency Department/Trauma
California’s emergency departments (EDs) provide critical health services to those experiencing trauma, injury, or acute medical conditions. EDs offer comprehensive care, do not require previous authorization, and are open 24/7 year-round. EDs are facing unprecedented patient volume, with a 42% increase in the past seven years. By improving access to care for primary and specialty services, emergency visits can be reduced. More focused state and federal policies will be required to reduce Californians’ health care risks and ensure equitable access to appropriate care levels before people need emergency care.
5 Things To Know: Critical Sept. 1 Deadline Approaching for AB 40 Compliance
All hospitals with emergency departments must submit their ambulance patient offload time (APOT) reduction protocol to the Emergency Medical Services Authority by Sept. 1 under Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023). The law requires hospitals to include mechanisms in the protocol that will improve hospital operations and reduce APOT.
San Diego’s Trauma System: Saving Lives for 40 Years
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:
Ambulance Patient Offload Time: A Critical Deadline is Just the Beginning
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).
5 Things To Know: National EMS Week
Celebrate National EMS Week: May 19-25 marks the 50th anniversary of National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. Our first responders provide access to quality emergency care, which dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury. We want to recognize both our in-house team members and partners in the community, and the value and accomplishments they contribute to the health of all the populations we serve.
5 Things To Know: San Diego County Survey | San Diego APOT Collaboration | HASD&IC Crisis Stabilization Units | San Diego County Guide and Matrix | MAT Access Points Project
HELP THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO SET BUDGET PRIORITIES: San Diego County is seeking broad, diverse input on its priorities through a short survey to inform the county’s upcoming 2024-26 budget and operational planning process. Key stakeholders are invited to complete the survey on the Engage San Diego County website by March 17. For more […]
5 Things To Know: Study Finds CA Bridge Program is Highly Effective, Funding to Continue; San Diego TB Prevention Education and Community Engagement Summit; San Diego Workforce Partnerships Substance Use Counselor Program; DHCS Publishes Quality Ratings for Managed Care Plans and County Behavioral Health Plans; Medicare Coverage for Behavioral Health Expanded
STUDY FINDS CA BRIDGE PROGRAM IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE, FUNDING TO CONTINUE: JAMA Network recently published a study highlighting the impact of the CA Bridge Program on opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in emergency departments (EDs). The study found that 86% of OUD patients received buprenorphine in participating hospitals, with 50% continuing treatment 30 days after […]
5 Things To Know: EMS Mobile App, Discharge Delays Survey, Respiratory Virus Surges, Equity Of Care Award, CHA Seismic Webinar Recording
EMS MOBILE APP: The San Diego County EMS Office has released a new EMS Mobile App, available to the community at emsmobile.sandiegocounty.gov. It allows users to easily search through all protocols and policies using keywords. In addition, users can bookmark specific protocols and policies to quickly access them at any time. The EMS Mobile App also […]
Engagement Needed for CHA Survey on Discharge Delays
Recently, CHA sent an email to CEOs asking for their help in completing a survey on discharge delays. Given the importance of this survey, we will be accepting responses for the next couple weeks, so there’s still time to participate. It should only take about one hour to complete.
5 Things To Know: Medi-Cal Enrollment Systems and Disenrollments, White Paper, Supplier Diversity Reports, Overdose Prevention And Outreach, EMS System Plan
MEDI-CAL ENROLLMENT SYSTEMS AND DISENROLLMENTS: The current enrollment system (MyBenefits CalWIN) that hospitals, clinics, schools, and social service providers use to connect San Diegans to CalFresh and Medi-Cal will shut down on June 29. The new system, BenefitsCal, will not be available until July 3. As a result, hospitals will have to use alternate methods for assisting patients with Medi-Cal applications between June 29 and July 3. July 1 is also the first month that Medi-Cal beneficiaries will be disenrolled if they didn’t renew their coverage. Please reach out to Lindsey Wade at lwade@hasdic.org with any questions or concerns.
5 Things To Know: Emergency Medical Services, Kaufman Hall Report, Supplier Diversity Reports, Dementia Care Aware Screening Tool, HCAI Program Eligibility
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES: San Diego County is currently in the process of developing a plan for comprehensive evaluation of the base station hospital system (BSHS) and trauma center catchment area designation (TCCAD). This comprehensive review and evaluation began in January 2023 and is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 31, 2023. The county has hired a consultant, Public Consulting Group, which will collaborate with the county of San Diego, BSHS and TCCAD stakeholders, and the public to ensure all voices are heard as the county works on defining the future of the emergency medical services (EMS) system. More details and key tentative timelines are available on the county’s EMS web page.