Health
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Adventist Health Clear Lake has added a second full-time general surgeon to its provider team.
Kevin E. Cahill, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon with exceptional skill in the most advanced surgical techniques.
Dr. Cahill completed his undergraduate education at Johns Hopkins University and went on to medical school at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.
He completed his general surgery internship and residency at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Dr. Cahill has served in community hospitals with large surgical volumes and is experienced in a broad range of general surgery techniques, including minimally invasive laparoscopic approaches.
Dr. Cahill joins Dr. Hassan Moghaddas, general surgeon, in providing local patients with excellent care at Adventist Health Clear Lake’s medical offices and hospital.
“Dr. Cahill is a welcomed addition to our team and a great fit for the Lake County community,” says Brent Dupper, executive director of physician and outpatient services for Adventist Health Clear Lake. “He brings a personable yet precise approach to healthcare and strives for the best possible patient outcomes.”
Dr. Cahill and his wife relocated to Lake County from the Truckee area. In his free time, Dr. Cahill enjoys spending time in the outdoors, soccer, film, learning languages and playing the piano.
“I’m looking forward to helping people in Lake County,” said Dr. Cahill. “As a surgeon, I feel privileged to use my skills to help others live healthier, fuller lives.”
Dr. Cahill will see patients in two Clearlake locations, 15322 Lakeshore Drive and 15230 Lakeshore Drive.
Patients may schedule an appointment by calling 707-461-7986.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – June 12th marks National Time Out Day, a day sponsored by the Association of Operative Registered Nurses, or AORN, to raise awareness about the nine elements of safe surgery and procedure culture.
This year Sutter Lakeside is raising procedural team awareness by practicing “time outs.”
The nine elements of the acronym SUPER HERO encourage procedural nurses, doctors, techs and anyone else present in the room to speak up for patient safety by:
– Supporting a safety culture.
– Using the Sutter Health (Joint Commission’s, AORN’s, World Health Organization) Universal Protocol surgical checklist.
– Proactively reducing risk in the operating rooms/procedural rooms.
– Effecting change.
– Reducing harm.
– Having honest discussions about hazards.
– Empowering others to speak up.
– Respecting surgical/procedural teammates.
– Openly seeking opportunities to improve patient safety.
A time out refers to the surgery or procedural team pausing, stopping all activity in the room, and ensuring that they have the correct patient for the correct procedure, and the correct equipment, supplies or implants.
“We celebrate National Time Out Day by dressing like super heroes and wearing our capes to start conversations with both staff and patients as a fun way to raise awareness about the importance of taking a time out,” said Diana Iniguez, RN, director of Surgery, Family Birth Center, and Respiratory Therapy.
“More importantly, it’s about providing the highest quality, safest care for our patients by pausing, stopping all activity in the room, and making absolutely sure that we’re setting our team and our patients up for the best possible outcomes,” said Iniguez. “National Time Out Day perfectly complements Sutter’s safety culture, which empowers any member of the team to speak up for patient safety using Sutter Safe Care tools.”
Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s procedural teams include the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Med/Surg, Outpatient Care Services, Family Birth Center, Outpatient Care Services, Respiratory Therapy, Medical Imaging, Gastrointestinal Lab, Surgery, and the hospital’s two clinics, Sutter Lakeside Community Clinic and Sutter Lakeside Medical Practice.
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- Written by: Covered California
It’s college graduation season, and congrats to the class of 2019!
The moment they’ve worked so hard for is finally here. They’re ready to walk across that stage, grab that diploma and begin the rest of their lives.
But life can be complicated, and it’s imperative to have the important things – like one’s health – covered.
Graduation can mean that college students are coming off a school-sponsored health plan, or turning 26, the limit for when they can remain on parents’ health plans.
Transitioning into Covered California health plans is relatively simple through the special enrollment process, and graduating college students may even qualify for financial help to pay for monthly health care costs – often for about $50 per month.
As an older college student, Saul Guevara had to think about some of those things even before he graduated from the University of Southern California earlier this month in Los Angeles with a Master’s Degree in Communication Management.
Now 28, Guevara has been a Covered California consumer for the past two years while finishing work toward his degree.
“I chose to become a Covered California consumer because I learned that I qualified for federal subsidies to pay for my monthly health care payment,” Guevara said. “I’m paying $109 a month now instead of $316. Covered California has allowed me to get my medical needs met with the same primary care physician at a fraction of the cost.”
Guevara will begin working for the federal government this summer and plans to keep his Covered California coverage until he gets a health plan through his employer. Working part-time is a reality for many college graduates, as is getting married and starting your own business.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s college graduates for all you have accomplished,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “But amidst all the changes in your life, make sure you always know what you will be doing for health care. If you are leaving your coverage behind when you graduate, then you may be eligible to enroll during Covered California’s ongoing special-enrollment period. Taking care of your health gives you the freedom to pursue your dreams.”
There are currently more than 336,000 Californians between the ages of 18 and 34 enrolled health plans through Covered California, and they are receiving quality, name-brand insurance coverage without breaking their banks.
The following circumstances are among the more common reasons people become eligible for Covered California Special Enrollment:
– Losing health coverage because you have lost or changed jobs.
– Turning 26 years old.
– Getting married or entering a domestic partnership.
– Having a baby or adopting a child.
– Moving and gaining access to new Covered California health insurance plans that were not available where you previously lived.
– Becoming a citizen, a U.S. national or a lawfully present individual.
If you qualify under any of these conditions, you are eligible to get health insurance coverage and join your fellow Californians in having one less thing to worry about. Make sure you take advantage of the financial help available to you and your family.
For more information on special-enrollment rules, visit http://www.CoveredCA.com/individuals-and-families/getting-covered/special-enrollment .
Those who qualify for Medi-Cal may enroll through Covered California year-round.
Eligible consumers who are interested in signing up should go to www.CoveredCA.com where they can get help to enroll. They can explore their options and find out if they qualify for financial help by using the Shop and Compare Tool.
They can also get free and confidential enrollment assistance by visiting www.coveredca.com/find-help/ and searching among 800 storefronts statewide, or more than 17,000 certified enrollers who can assist consumers in understanding their choices and enrolling, including individuals who can assist in other languages.
In addition, consumers can reach the Covered California service center by calling 800-300-1506.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Jennifer Hogue, RN, a nurse at Adventist Health Clear Lake was honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses during the hospital’s annual Nurses Week celebrations on May 8.
The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day.
Hogue, a nurse since 1994, currently works in the Surgery Department at Adventist Health Clear Lake. She has served patients at the hospital since 2004.
In her first role as clinical information systems coordinator she established a program to bring Pacific Union College Nursing Students to Clearlake for clinical instruction, a program that still exists today.
She has also worked as a nursing supervisor, employee health nurse, and case manager before taking her role in surgery.
Hogue was nominated for the DAISY Award by her many grateful coworkers and patients at Adventist Health Clear Lake. She is known for her calming voice and a smile that helps bring comfort and reassurance to patients.
Coworkers comment that Hogue lives the mission every day as a tireless patient advocate who insures high quality clinical care is provided and individual rights for self-determination are honored. She is someone who unknowingly inspires those around her as a nurse who has faith, does not fear, and strives to do her best.
“Nurses are heroes every day,” said Colleen Assavapisitkul, RN, MSN, vice president of patient care. “It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued. Special recognitions such as the DAISY Award allow us to share our gratitude for our nurses’ dedication and skills.”
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.)
The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at Adventist Health Clear Lake to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented once a year at a celebration attended by the Honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors.
Hogue received a certificate commending her as an "extraordinary nurse." The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people."
She also received a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.