High-Country Health Food and Cafe in Mariposa California

CASA
'Click' Here to Visit: 'Yosemite Bug Health Spa', Now Open.
'Click' Here to Visit: 'Yosemite Bug Health Spa', Now Open. "We provide a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. Come in and let us help You Relax"
'Click' for More Info: 'Chocolate Soup', Fine Home Accessories and Gifts, Located in Mariposa, California
'Click' for More Info: 'Chocolate Soup', Fine Home Accessories and Gifts, Located in Mariposa, California
'Click' Here to Visit Happy Burger Diner in Mariposa... "We have FREE Wi-Fi, we're Eco-Friendly & have the Largest Menu in the Sierra"
'Click' Here to Visit Happy Burger Diner in Mariposa... "We have FREE Wi-Fi, we're Eco-Friendly & have the Largest Menu in the Sierra"
'Click' for More Info: Inter-County Title Company Located in Mariposa, California
'Click' for More Info: Inter-County Title Company Located in Mariposa, California

Senators Ask Leading California Hospital Associations to Communicate with Their Members to Make Sure that Health Care Staff Are Fully Trained to Screen, Diagnose and Treat Any Potential Ebola Patients

October 3, 2014 - Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-CA) today sent a letter to California Hospitals Association President and CEO C. Duane Dauner and California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems President and CEO Erica Murray to ensure that their member hospitals across California are taking all appropriate measures to ensure that their staff are fully trained and prepared to screen, diagnose and treat any potential Ebola patients.  

“We are confident that the U.S. health system can and will respond appropriately to contain Ebola as long as providers are properly prepared to do so,” the Senators wrote. “The purpose of this letter is to make sure that California hospitals are 100 percent up to date to keep Californians safe from the threat of this deadly disease.”  

The full text of the Senators’ letter follows:  

October 3, 2014  

C. Duane Dauner
President and Chief Executive Officer
California Hospital Association
1215 K Street, Suite 800
Sacramento, CA 95814  

Erica Murray
President and Chief Executive Officer
California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems
70 Washington Street, Suite 215
Oakland, CA 94607  

Dear Mr. Dauner and Ms. Murray, 

As you are aware, this week the first case of Ebola was diagnosed in the United States. We know that you and your member hospitals share our commitment to protecting Californians from this threat to public health. 

According to news reports, there was a communications breakdown between health providers who learned that the patient had recently travelled from West Africa and the care team who ultimately sent the patient home without considering Ebola as a possible diagnosis. All appropriate steps must be taken to ensure that this type of dangerous lapse does not happen again. 

We are writing to help ensure that California hospitals are fully prepared should an Ebola patient walk through their doors.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made multiple efforts to educate hospitals about how to screen for Ebola and how to properly isolate and treat patients who are either suspected of having the disease or who have been diagnosed with it. It is critical that this information is widely disseminated and that every hospital is taking action to ensure its staff is fully prepared.  

We ask that you communicate with your members regarding the following questions and send us a response within one week: 

     • Do hospital administrators feel they have received complete information from the CDC and have federal authorities been responsive to their questions and concerns?
     • Have the hospitals encountered any problems with implementing CDC guidance?
     • Do hospitals have a protocol in place to immediately screen patients for fever and place them in separate waiting areas until further screening can be done?
     • Have the hospitals communicated protocols, checklists, and other tools to all levels of their health care staff? Do they feel that every member of their staff, from an intake staffer on up, understands that it is crucial to pass on critical information to all of their colleagues – including information on a patient’s recent travel and activities?
      • What communication and training has happened between California hospitals and local health clinics, urgent care centers, and physician offices to ensure that all front line health workers follow appropriate protocol to prevent another patient from mistakenly being sent home or treated in a way that puts others at risk?  

We are confident that the U.S. health system can and will respond appropriately to contain Ebola as long as providers are properly prepared to do so. The purpose of this letter is to make sure that California hospitals are 100 percent up to date to keep Californians safe from the threat of this deadly disease.  

Thank you for your assistance and for your commitment to protecting Californians. We look forward to your urgent and timely response.  

Sincerely, 

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator  

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator  

cc: Diana Dooley, Secretary, California Health and Human Services Agency