Hospital Operations

About Hospital Operations

California’s hospitals and health systems employ more than half a million people — the front lines of health care in the state. Hospitals have the deepest respect and appreciation for health care workers — the hundreds of thousands of women and men who give of themselves each day to care for others.

Priority 1 for every hospital and health system is the safety of patients and workers, and hospitals endeavor to provide their staff with wages and benefits that are unmatched anywhere else in the nation.

By doing these things, and working with legislators and policymakers, hospitals are able to ensure the needs of the patients and communities they serve will continue to be met.

Fate of Many Critical Bills is Still Up in the Air 

When the Legislature returns from its summer break on Aug. 14, it will be a sprint to the finish line before lawmakers adjourn for interim recess on Sept. 14. There are a number of pieces of legislation that present significant concerns for patients and communities.    

5 Things To Know: Fentanyl Awareness Day, Hospitals Needed For Performance Improvement Project, Base Station Hospital System And Trauma Center Catchment Area Designations Assessment, Covid-19 Data Reporting, Medi-Cal Scam Alert

FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY: People are dying at alarming rates due to illicit fentanyl, and May 9 is dedicated to raising awareness about this growing problem. Data from the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office show that fentanyl-related overdose deaths increased 2,375% in San Diego County, from 33 in 2016 to at least 817 in 2021. In Imperial County, seizures of fentanyl increased 272% from fiscal year (FY) 2019 to the third quarter of FY 2022, from 40 pounds to 149 pounds. More information is available on the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency’s website. 

5 Things To Know: Public Safety Power Shutoffs, Medi-Cal Rx, Minority Fellowship Program, Patient Safety Evaluation Summit, Behavioral Health System

PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFFS: San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) is conducting two public safety power shutoff (PSPS) exercises and welcomes the attendance and participation of external stakeholders:   

PSPS Tabletop Exercise: April 11, 8 a.m.-noon ​  

PSPS Full-Scale Exercise: May 1-2​  

If you are interested in participating, please complete the Extent of Play Agreement and email a PDF copy to EMTrainingExercise@sdge.com. If you are interested in scheduling a tour for your organization, please reach out to EmergencyServices_SDGE@sdge.com

5 Things To Know: Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract Appeals, HQI Annual Conference, Behavioral Health, New Homeless Shelter, and Medical Device Vulnerability

MEDI-CAL MANAGED CARE CONTRACT APPEALS: Aetna Better Health of California, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Community Health Group, and Centene Corporation have all appealed the Department of Health Care Services’ notice of intent to award Medi-Cal Managed Care contracts in San Diego County. Health Net — owned by Centene — was awarded contracts in a number of counties, it is protesting its absence from Los Angeles County. In its appeal, Health Net contends that its historical presence and work providing Medi-Cal in the region merits its continued provision of managed care in the county.

5 Things To Know: Hazard Pay, Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation, Medi-Cal CalAIM

Hazard Pay: The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to spend $36 million of American Rescue Plan funding on hazard pay for the county’s essential employees. Mandatory bonus pay has been the subject of much discussion around the state as we emerge from the pandemic. The Culver City Council has passed an ordinance that requires $5 per hour hero pay for employees at the city’s only hospital, and Assembly Bill (AB) 650 would mandate bonuses of up to $10,000 for hospital employees and contractors. However, AB 650 was moved to the Assembly Inactive File on June 3 and is now a two-year bill.