The HASD&IC Biweekly Briefing provides timely news and information for HASD&IC members and associates and is published on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Key articles and issues of interest from each publication, along with the President’s Message, are included below. Media statements and press releases can also be found here.
Newsroom
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.
A Week Dedicated to Recognizing Our Volunteers
Often, when people think about the work done at hospitals, it’s the doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff who come to mind. While their work is vitally important — often lifesaving — volunteers and volunteer leaders are also an integral part of the hospital environment.
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
HASD&IC Board Meeting Highlights
The HASD&IC Board of Directors convened on March 30. Board Chair Patrick Frias, MD, President & CEO of Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego, officiated. Welcome was expressed to new board member, Frank P. Pearson, DPT, PA-C, director at VA San Diego Healthcare System. Special guests from San Diego County Fire — Jeff Collins, director, […]
It’s Hard to Think ‘Bolder and Brighter’ When the Situation Feels Dire
Bolder. Brighter.
The two words connote a positive tone — progress, fearlessness, courageousness. They also happened to be the theme of the 2023 American College of Healthcare Executives Congress, where health leaders gathered to explore practical solutions to the challenges we face today, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
5 Things To Know: COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program, Medi-Cal and CalFresh, Funding Opportunity, Health Plans, COVID-19 Health Orders
COVID-19 UNINSURED GROUP PROGRAM: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is clarifying that coverage for this group expires on May 31 — the last day of the month in which the COVID-19 public health emergency ends — not May 11. California has taken advantage of the “optional COVID-19 group,” which provides uninsured and underinsured individuals with Medi-Cal coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment at no cost to the individual through the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program. Beginning March 20, DHCS will send the individuals in this group a sunset notice in their preferred language with a copy of the “Application for Health Insurance” and a “Notice of Language Services.”
It’s Time to Get Serious About Fixing the EMS System
Back in the ’70s, when the EMS system of today was in its infancy, the needs of those it served were much different. In those days, the system was designed largely to handle traffic accidents — which, in the absence of seat belt laws, airbags, and other safety features — often resulted in much more […]
Hospitals in Need of a Lifeline
Few hospitals in California are immune from the financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, years of Medi-Cal underfunding, and ongoing inflationary pressures. And hospitals in our region are no different. That’s why an agreement reached earlier this week that will allow UC San Diego Health to temporarily assume full operational, clinical, and financial […]
5 Things To Know: Overdose to Action Grant, Behavioral Health Workforce Development, Patient Safety Webinars, Medi-Cal RX Update, Equity Working Group Webinar
OVERDOSE TO ACTION GRANT: San Diego County is a recipient of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant, which focuses on overdose surveillance and prevention. Along with community-focused overdose prevention activities, a key strategy of OD2A is supporting San Diego licensed prescribers (i.e., physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists). The county’s OD2A team has also developed an OD2A quarterly newsletter specifically for licensed prescribers. Since 2016, opioid-related drug deaths in the San Diego region have been on the increase. Overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl almost tripled from 2019 to 2020 and accounted for 77% of opioid-related deaths in 2020, compared to 45% in 2019. The highest rate of opioid overdose deaths, in 2020, was in the Central region, followed by the East and North Coastal regions. These data are used by the county to guide overdose prevention activities.
5 Things To Know: COVID-19 in Nursing Homes, CHA Alert, Behavioral Health Initiative Grant Funding, Expiration of Temporary Waivers, Waivers for Justice-Involved Individuals
COVID-19 IN NURSING HOMES: People living in nursing homes continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
If hospitals have questions or want to discuss strategies, please contact Lindsey C. Yourman, MD, chief geriatric officer, San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency, at LindseyC.Yourman@sdcounty.ca.gov.
