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.
Panel Explores Reasons for Hospital Maternity Ward Closures
What’s happening: The closure of labor and delivery units in California hospitals was the focus of a recent panel discussion sponsored by the nonprofit news organization CalMatters. Peggy Wheeler, CHA vice president, policy, appeared on the panel.
What else to know: The discussion “No Deliveries: When Maternity Wards Close, Where Do Patients Go?” focused on the pace and impact of maternity unit closures and efforts to protect access. Wheeler shared the reasons underlying these closures, including low birth rates, workforce challenges, and insufficient Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.
BRN Seeks Input on Areas for Improvement
What’s happening: The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) invites registered nurses and community stakeholders to complete its consumer satisfaction survey.
What else to know: Anyone who has interacted with or been contacted by the BRN is encouraged to complete the survey by May 27.
HQI and AQIPS Will Host 2024 Patient Safety Evaluation System Virtual Summit
What’s happening: Hospital Quality Institute and the Alliance for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety will host the Patient Safety Evaluation System 2024 Virtual Summit on May 21-22 from 8 a.m. to noon (PT).
What else to know: The summit will provide information on how to improve communication internally and with patients and strengthen patient care delivery. Registration is open.
Provisions of Prescription Error Legislation to Take Effect
What’s happening: Certain provisions in Assembly Bill (AB) 1286 (Haney, D-San Francisco) become effective Jan. 1, 2024. The California State Board of Pharmacy encourages licensees to immediately take steps for compliance.
What else to know: The new law establishes a requirement for the reporting of medication errors that occur in the outpatient setting to an entity that will be approved by the board. The Enforcement and Compounding Committee (ECC) will begin its evaluation of entities in the coming months.