About Clinical Care
California’s hospitals are dedicated to providing high-quality, safe, and person-centered health care. This wouldn’t be possible without the clinical services hospitals provide, which include emergency care, surgery, X-ray/radiology, laboratory services, and behavioral health care. The care that hospitals provide is shaped by their communities’ needs.
AHA Survey on 340B Rebate Model Closes Jan. 10
What’s happening: The American Hospital Association (AHA) is asking hospitals to complete a survey by Jan. 10 to help it understand how a 340B rebate model would impact 340B member hospitals.
What else to know: Completing this 10-question survey will help AHA understand the financial, operational, and patient impacts that a rebate model — such as the one Johnson & Johnson sought to implement this year — would have on your hospital or health system.
Liver Transplant Saves Infant’s Life
After being diagnosed with biliary atresia, infant Mia received a liver transplant from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and is now back to achieving infant milestones like playing with toys and using her big voice.
CMS Memos Clarify Policies for Providers, State Survey Agencies
What’s happening: In four new memos, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarifies survey policies for critical access hospitals (CAHs), long-term care facilities (LTC), and laboratories.
What else you need to know: New and revised guidance addresses time-share and leased space arrangements in CAHs, immediate jeopardy in laboratories, and LTC policies.
DEA, HHS Extend Telehealth Prescribing Flexibilities
What’s happening: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended existing waiver flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine through Dec. 31, 2025.
What else to know: This is the third extension.
Teen Overcomes Leukemia Thanks to Innovative CAR T Cell Therapy
Diego was initially unresponsive to cancer treatments until CAR T cell therapy and stem cell donations from his sister saved his life. Now, Diego is cancer-free and back to playing the trumpet.
CHA Releases Resource Web Page for Nationwide IV Fluid Shortage
What’s happening: As hospitals and other health care providers nationally grapple with the shortage of IV fluids following the temporary closure of Baxter International’s manufacturing plant in Marion, N.C., CHA has compiled federal, state, and local resources to assist hospitals.
What else to know: Hurricane Helene hit the southeast in early October, causing widespread damage, including the temporary closure of Baxter’s plant — which, pre-Hurricane, manufactured 60% of the nation’s supply of IV solutions, producing 1.5 million bags per day.
HQI Quality Quarterly Spotlights Patient Safety Strategies
What’s happening: The latest edition of Quality Quarterly explores the prevalence of behavioral health conditions among California hospital encounters, the dangers of menopause misdiagnosis, new patient safety measures outlined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the need for effective reporting of workplace violence incidents by hospital staff.
What else to know: More than half of California hospitals now use HQI’s Hospital Quality Improvement Platform (HQIP), which provides comparative analytics to help hospitals identify opportunities for improvement. Learn about HQIP’s new features and updates in this latest edition.
CHLA’s Aerodigestive Program Helps Baby with Chronic Lung Disease
Thanks to the impressive coordination of Children Hospital Los Angeles’s Aerodigestive Program, Sam breathes easier and can finally say “Mama.”
CHA Responds to Nationwide IV Fluid Shortage
What’s happening: On Oct. 3, CHA informed members of an IV fluid shortage due to the temporary closure of Baxter International’s North Carolina plant, which supplies 60% of the country’s IV solutions. The facility was damaged by flooding from Hurricane Helene.
What else to know: The update from CHA includes guidance for hospitals to mitigate the impact of the IV shortage.
Johnson & Johnson Halts Proposed 340B Rebate Model
What’s happening: Johnson & Johnson will stop its plan that would have required hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program to purchase Stelara and Xarelto at full price and apply for a rebate instead of receiving full discounts upfront.
What else to know: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) notified J&J it would be kicked out of the 340B Drug Pricing Program if it did not halt implementation.