Salinas Valley Memorial Becomes Salinas Valley Health

A doctor showing the report to the senior female patient

A Salinas hospital which has served the community well over decades has decided to change its name.  Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System has announced that it has changed its name to Salinas Valley Health.  The 263-bed hospital employs more than 2,000 people.  ““We are extraordinarily proud of the legacy and impact our organization has had in our community,” said Pete Delgado, president/CEO of Salinas Valley Health. “As we rise to meet the promise of an even brighter future, Salinas Valley Health is celebrating the connection between community health and individual well-being. We’re rising together in good health.”

Many Hospitals Not Sticking To Required Patient Safety Standards

A Hospice Nurse visiting an Elderly male patient

A new study by Northwestern University found that many hospitals don’t follow patient safety standards.   This creates the possibility of wastage in hospital resources and poses risks of adverse patient outcomes.  The study found that only 30% of hospitals had evidence of adhering to patient safety standards, another 30% had partially supported evidence while 40% had no evidence at a

Monterey, CA Telehealth Continues To Boom

A doctor holding a stethoscope with his hand

Telehealth continues to boom even as the pandemic has begun to slow.  It’s quicker, easier, and doctors can see more patients.  Prior to the pandemic, telehealth made up less than 0.01% of healthcare visits across the United States.  By mid-April of 2020, that number had jumped to 69%.  Both Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, or CHOMP, and Dignity Health care are actively promoting telehealth.  This is particularly great news for those with rare diseases for which there are just a handful of specialists nationwide.  A new study found that 83% of those with rare diseases were offered a telehealth visit by their health care provider and 92% of those felt it was a positive experience.

Monterey, CA Join A Healthcare Professional From Community Hospital Of The Monterey Peninsula For A Walk For Health

Senior couples doing cardio exercises on the yoga mat

Join Karen Egy, PsyD, Psychologist from CHOMP on a monthly stroll in Laguna Grande Park at 1249 Canyon Del Rey Boulevard in Seaside for a walk in the park on Saturday, May 21 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. and learn why physical activity doesn’t have to be hard.  Walking boosts physical health, mental well-being, and can help manage serious health conditions.  The 30 minute walk will be held monthly and you can learn more about improving your health from CHOMP health care professionals who will lead and educate you along the way.  Register at www.montagehealth.org/walkforhealth.

Monterey, CA CHOMP Holding Online Lecture About Mental Health On May 19

Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Logo

Montage Health’s Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) is holding an online lecture called “Breaking the silence, A stigma-free approach to mental health for those suffering and those providing support.”  Hosted by Karen Egu, PsyD, Psychologist and Danielle Genora Dollinger, PsyD, Psychologist (both from Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Behavioral Health Services) you will learn:

How to bring mental health awareness to everyday life;

Ways to reduce stigma;

How sleep, diet, and physical activity contribute to mental health resilience; and

What resources are available.

Registration at www.montagehealth.org/lecture Is required for the lecture which will be held on Thursday, May 19, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.  A link to the meeting will be emailed the day before the lecture.

New Book Cost Of Living Explores Healthcare System Inside And Out

A new book by Emily Maloney called “Cost of Living” explores the health care system from a unique point of view.  The book’s author tried to kill herself when she was 19 and ended up in a psych ward.  Later in life she worked as an emergency room tech and later in hospital billing, so she has seen the healthcare system from the inside and the outside.  The book explores the financial side of the health care system but also the emotional side where hospital staff can sometimes be callous.  It’s worth a read.

God Bless Ed Dowd : Largest Donation in Natividad’s History!

Four old people giving a thumbs up

God Bless Ed Dowd, who just gave a $1 million donation (the largest in its history) to Natividad Foundation, the funder for Natividad hospital and its health care system.  He made the gift in his mother’s memory.  Nora Dowd worked as a registered nurse in Natividad’s mental health unit for 30 years.

Montage Health To Hold Advance Planning Health Care Directive Workshop January 10

Join Joy Smith, a Registered Nurse and a member of the Palliative Medicine Service team at Montage Health Care on January 10 for an Advance Planning Health Care Directive Workshop on January 10 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Ryan Ranch location of Montage Medical Group in the Hazen Education Center.  At the meeting, you either start or update your Advance Health Care Directive and other important documents, and then submit your paperwork to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP).  For more information, call 625-4977.

https://www.montagehealth.org/classes-events/search-results-detail/?eventId=b7650967-b63d-ec11-a843-000d3a611ea2

CHOMP Shuts Down Cardiac Procedure Lab Temporarily : By Derek Baine, Monterey, CA

There have been labor shortages all across the country but most of the focus has been on the inability to hire unskilled labor.  However, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) has just announced that it has temporarily shut down its cardiac procedure laboratory because an important position is now vacant.  They are searching for a lab coordinator position which is a highly skilled nurse who manages the care of patients who are undergoing specific procedures in the lab.  The state-of-the-art lab was opened just two years ago.  It’s unclear if this is related to another recent report that CHOMP and other hospitals in the county are facing a severe labor shortage due to employees refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

https://www.montereyherald.com/2021/09/23/community-hospital-of-the-monterey-peninsula-temporarily-shuts-down-cardiac-lab/?utm_email=7404B4F5358244C5647B14D271&g2i_eui=B5dv00xjia5jtX%2fZFTuOn45qYHnjNzVq&g2i_source=newsletter&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.montereyherald.com%2f2021%2f09%2f23%2fcommunity-hospital-of-the-monterey-peninsula-temporarily-shuts-down-cardiac-lab%2f&utm_campaign=norcal-monterey-morning-report&utm_content=automated

 

Salinas, CA Join CHOMP’s Exercise Smart For Diabetes Management Class

A woman sitting in a wheelchair and posing with the nurse

Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, has a number of helpful classes, with one focusing on how to exercise to keep your Diabetes under control.  Learn how exercise can aid in diabetes management and get tips for safe, effective exercise.  The information you receive will include an overview of diabetes and special considerations for exercise for those with diabetes.  To register, go to www.chomp.org/classes.