About Patients Experiencing Homelessness
Homelessness in California is at a crisis point, and hospitals are on the front lines. Teams of hospital social workers, case managers, nurses, doctors, and others, work tirelessly to meet the complex needs of Californians experiencing homelessness. They employ comprehensive strategies to care for and safely discharge their homeless patients, addressing their complex social needs with food, clothing, medications, connections to community-based services, and more. But just as the reasons for homelessness are multi-faceted, so too are solutions, which must include more than just hospitals. Civic leaders, elected officials, the business community, non-profit, and social service organizations all will play a vital role in addressing this crisis.
Thoughtful Collaboration Leads to Health Care Solutions
Hospitals are facing extraordinary challenges, so being thoughtful about how we tackle the big issues is more important than ever. The pace of what is coming at us every day is relentless. It’s not easy to have meaningful conversations with the right stakeholders at the right time. To truly take on the big issues we need to slow down and create space for deeper insights. That’s a key takeaway for me after attending the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress late last month in Chicago, where I joined 5,000 health care professionals from around the country to discuss the leadership that’s needed for the challenges ahead.
Point-in-Time Counts Reveal Urgent Need for Solutions to Homelessness Crisis
In January, over 1,000 volunteers conducted the annual Point-in-Time Count to assess homelessness in San Diego and Imperial counties. Part of a nationwide effort from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the count surveys those who are unsheltered, on the streets, or in shelters the morning of the count. While the 2024 numbers will be released this spring, we are likely to see the continuation of a trend that started in 2023. Last year, San Diego County saw a 35% increase to approximately 6,500 unhoused individuals, while Imperial County experienced a 23% increase to more than 1,300 individuals.
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 […]
5 Things To Know: Care Court, Asylum Seekers, Fellowship Scholarship Opportunity, HIPAA Security Risk Assessment Tool, AHA Award
CARE COURT: The County of San Diego has updated its website with new FAQs on the program, which launched on Oct. 1. A fact sheet on the program is also available. In addition, the county’s Behavioral Health Services department has started providing training for providers in standing meetings throughout the region. If your hospital is […]
5 Things To Know: Human Trafficking, Assisted Living Waiver Renewal,Cybersecurity Symposium, Nurse Staffing Ratios, Check Your Mood
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: County of San Diego emergency medical services medical director is sharing a recent talk from Deputy District Attorney Flavio Nominati titled “Effects of COVID and Title 42 on the Management of Human Trafficking.” Additional lectures from the county’s monthly Evidence-Based Medicine lecture series are available online. Please forward to others who may have […]
5 Things To Know: Homelessness Solutions, San Diego Restructuring, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Sahma’s Strategic Plan, Fake Pharmacy Callers
HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS AND PREVENTION ACTION PLAN: The County of San Diego is seeking public input by Sept. 15 on the draft Homelessness Solutions and Prevention Action Plan, which is intended to advance the county’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness. The draft Action Plan outlines the county’s strategies to impact homelessness regionally. Relevant feedback on […]
5 Things To Know: Office of Health Care Affordability, Medi-Cal Budget Request, Veterans in Suicidal Crisis, Empath Unit Deadline Extended, Behavioral Health Playbook
OFFICE OF HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY: The California Hospital Association (CHA) has developed a web page for the new Office of Health Care Affordability. The web page contains background information on the office’s main responsibilities and implementation timelines. It will be updated as new information becomes available. Contact Ben Johnson at bjohnson@calhospital.org with any questions.
5 Things To Know: EMS Strategic Plan, Point-In-Time Count, Behavioral Health Funding Opportunity, Blood Donor Month, COVID-19 Outbreaks
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) OFFICE STRATEGIC PLAN: San Diego County has completed its EMS Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The plan development process for the document, which brings a new focus to the vision of San Diego County EMS, included:
The EMS office received more than 1,000 individual comments, suggestions, and recommendations.
5 Things To Know: Imperial County, Reminder — CDPH Leadership Updates and District Session, Addressing Homelessness, MEDICARE MEDI-CAL Plans (MMPS), Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program Application Cycles
IMPERIAL COUNTY: Larry Lewis, who has been Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District CEO since 2012, has been hired to lead the Imperial County Local Health Authority. The announcement was made at the commission meeting on Oct. 10. He will assume responsibilities with the health authority on Nov. 14. We thank Larry for his years of service on the HASD&IC board and for his leadership at Pioneers to enhance the health and well-being of Imperial County communities. We wish him the best in his next endeavor and look forward to working with him in his new role.
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.