This program will provide free annual memberships to qualified applicants for full gym and class privileges at the Wellness Center at 5176 Hill Road East in Lakeport.
The SLH Wellness Center offers more than 30 mindful movement classes including Yoga, Pilates, Belly dancing, Tai Chi and Zumba, as well as a fully equipped gym with free weights, circuit room and much more.
Classes are offered seven days a week at times that fit nearly any busy schedule. Scholarship recipients will have free access to all of these services for a full year.
For more information or to obtain an “Improve Your Health” scholarship application, contact the SLH Wellness Center at 707-262-5171.
Applications are due no later than Dec. 31.
To read more about the SLH Wellness Center and all that it offers, visit www.sutterlakeside.org/wellness.
The following hospitals received penalties:
Fresno Surgical Hospital, Fresno, Fresno County: The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This resulted in a patient having to undergo a second surgery to remove a retained foreign object. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, Valencia, Los Angeles County: The hospital failed to implement policies and procedures for the safe administration of medication. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Kaiser Foundation Hospital – South San Francisco, South San Francisco, San Mateo County: The hospital failed to implement its established policies and procedures for the safe and effective administration of medication. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
LAC+USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County: The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This resulted in a patient having to undergo a second surgery to remove a retained foreign object. This is the fifth administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is $25,000.
Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County: The hospital failed to implement policies and procedures for the safe administration of medication. This is the second administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is $50,000.
Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center, Mission Viejo, Orange County: The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This resulted in a patient having to undergo a second surgery to remove a retained foreign object. This is the fourth administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is $100,000.
San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, San Francisco County: The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This is the second administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is $50,000.
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County: The hospital failed to develop and implement safety measures which ensure the protection of a patient. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, La Jolla, San Diego County: The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This resulted in a patient having to undergo a second surgery to remove a retained foreign object. This is the sixth administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is $100,000.
St. Jude Medical Center, Fullerton, Orange County: The hospital failed to implement policies and procedures for the safe administration of medication. This is the third administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is $75,000.
Sutter Solano Medical Center, Vallejo, Solano County: The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This resulted in a patient having to undergo a second surgery to remove a retained foreign object. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is $50,000.
Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Torrance, Los Angeles County: The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This resulted in a patient having to undergo a second surgery to remove a retained foreign object. This is the second administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is $75,000.
UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, San Francisco County: The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This is the sixth administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is $75,000.
Ventura County Medical Center, Ventura, Ventura County: The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This resulted in a patient having to undergo a second surgery to remove a retained foreign object. This is the second administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is $50,000.
Administrative penalties are issued under authority granted by Health and Safety Code section 1280.1. Incidents that occurred prior to 2009 carry a fine of $25,000. New legislation took effect Jan. 1, 2009, that increased fines for incidents that occurred in 2009 or later.
Under the new provisions, an administrative penalty carries a fine of $50,000 for the first violation, $75,000 for the second, and $100,000 for the third or subsequent violation by the licensee. Incidents that occurred prior to 2009 are not counted in determining the amount of a fine.
When hospitals receive their survey findings, they are required to provide CDPH with a plan of correction to prevent future incidents.
Hospitals can appeal an administrative penalty by requesting a hearing within 10 calendar days of notification. If a hearing is requested, the penalties must be paid if upheld following an appeal.
All hospitals in California are required to be in compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, and special hospitals. The hospitals are required to comply with these standards to ensure quality of care.
“Cold temperatures threaten individuals, their pets and their homes,” Chapman said. “Exposure to severe cold temperatures can cause hypothermia and other serious health problems. Those at greatest risk are people who work outside, seniors, infants and people with chronic conditions.”
The warning signs of hypothermia are shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. For infants, the warning signs are bright red, cold skin and very low energy. If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, seek medical attention immediately and get the individual to a warm room or shelter.
Chapman recommends dressing warmly, eating well-balanced meals, and avoiding alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, as they cause the body to lose heat rapidly.
Because cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart, he cautioned people with heart disease or high blood pressure to avoid overexerting themselves outside.
Chapman said it is important to plan ahead for possible power outages by keeping several days’ supply of food, water and medicine at home.
Bring pets indoors or provide adequate shelter to keep them warm.
Use space heaters and fireplaces appropriately to avoid household fires and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Visit CDPH’s Be Prepared California Web site, http://bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/EPO/BeInformed/NaturalDisasters/ExtremeCold.htm, for additional safety tips and information.
“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans are receiving free preventive services and getting cheaper prescription drugs,” said Acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner.
Tavenner said the open enrollment period ends Wednesday, Dec. 7.
“People with Medicare should review their current plans before midnight Dec. 7, so they can make sure that the plan they will have in 2012 is the best one for their health care needs,” she said.
Data show that 2.65 million people with Medicare have saved more than $1.5 billion on their prescriptions – averaging about $569 per person.
In California, 245,097 people with Medicare have saved $127,552,274 – averaging about $520 per person.
And, as of the end of November, more than 24.2 million people with Medicare have taken advantage of at least one free preventive benefit – including the new Annual Wellness Visit – made possible by the Affordable Care Act.
In California, 1,962,809 people with Medicare have taken advantage of the free preventive coverage.
Building on savings in 2011, Medicare also recently announced that the Part B deductible will be $22 lower in 2012 and average Medicare Advantage premiums are projected to drop four percent in 2012. Part B premiums, which cover outpatient services including doctor visits, are estimated to increase by only $3.50 per month for most beneficiaries in 2012, and some will see a decrease.
These changes will be more than offset by the average Social Security cost of living increase ($43 per month for retired workers).
People with Medicare can now review their drug and health plan coverage options for 2012 as part of the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period. CMS is highlighting plans that have achieved an overall quality rating of five stars with a high performer or “gold star” icon on Medicare’s Plan Finder – www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan.
For more information about how the Affordable Care Act closes the donut hole over time, go to http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11493.pdf.
For state-by-state information on the number of people who are benefiting from discounts in the donut hole in 2011, go to https://www.cms.gov/Plan-Payment/.
For state-by-state information on utilization of free preventive services and the Annual Wellness Visit, go to http://www.cms.gov/NewMedia/02_preventive.asp.
For more information on Medicare’s prevention benefits, go to the Share the News. Share the Health! Web site, http://www.medicare.gov/share-the-health/ or contact 1-800-MEDICARE.