Health
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SACRAMENTO – In January 2014, media reports of a massive 10,000 complaint backlog over allegations of abuse and neglect in California’s nursing homes prompted a Joint Oversight Hearing co-chaired with the Assembly Health Committee and Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care.
Following departmental testimony admitting to this large number of uninvestigated cases, in March Yamada sought a review by the California state auditor.
Last week, in an extensive report delivered to the governor and the Legislature, the state auditor substantiated systemic and statewide deficiencies in the complaints investigation process for California’s long-term health care facilities, with multiple recommendations for reform.
“The California Department of Public Health (DPH) is responsible for licensing and monitoring 2,500 long-term health care facilities, serving 300,000 of California’s poorest and frailest citizens, two-thirds of whom are women,” said Assemblymember Yamada. “The facts in the California state auditor’s report show that resident well-being in our state’s long-term health care facilities continue to be at serious risk.”
Citing lack of resources to conduct timely investigations, the report found that DPH took no action – such as a staffing analysis – to justify additional funding.
In four DPH District Offices selected for review, including Sacramento, San Francisco, Bakersfield and Riverside, the audit found wide inconsistencies in tracking complaints.
With the backlogged cases now numbering 11,000, DPH continues to resist establishing statewide standards for completing investigations, evidenced by its Oct. 3, response to the state audit report.
“Ignoring both legislative and industry calls for reform compelled me to ask for this state audit,” said Yamada. “With this report by the well-respected California state auditor and pending lawsuits, I call upon the governor and the incoming Legislature to act quickly to provide redress to the most vulnerable elders in our care.”
Yamada represents the Fourth Assembly District and all or parts of the counties of Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo. She has been chair of the Assembly Aging and Long Term Care Committee since 2010.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It’s “flu” season and the Lake County Public Health Division has announced its initial 2014-15 influenza vaccination clinics.
Health officials said getting vaccinated is a great way to avoid getting the flu.
Anyone 6 months of age or older is encouraged to get a flu vaccine.
Being careful to use good hygiene is another way to protect yourself and those around you. If you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the crook of your arm instead of your hands.
A virus can easily be passed from your hands to the things you touch. Wash your hands often and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.
Try not to touch your face with your hands. A virus can enter your system through the membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth. Protect yourself by avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick.
Choosing a healthful lifestyle can also help to keep you well. Getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of water and staying physically active can help to maintain a healthy immune system. Together, we can help to decrease the spread of influenza in our community.
The symptoms of the flu include a temperature of over 100 degrees F combined with a cough, sore throat, body aches, headache and a lack of energy. If you are ill, stay home to keep from infecting others.
Lake County Public Health will start the season by offering flu vaccinations on Tuesday mornings by appointment in our Lakeport office. Please call 707-263-1090 or 1-800-794-9291 to schedule an appointment.
Additionally, Public Health will be offering flu vaccinations on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Senior Community Center, 3245 Bowers Road in Clearlake.
Seasonal flu vaccines are $2.
Flu vaccinations are also available in a variety of locations, such as your primary care provider and local pharmacies.
The Lake County Public Health Division wishes everyone a healthy and happy fall and winter season.
Please call 1-800-794-9291 or 263-1090 with questions or concerns.
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SACRAMENTO – With the influenza season now upon us, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, is urging Californians to get a flu shot.
While flu activity in California remains low with no laboratory confirmed outbreaks or deaths, now is the time to get immunized.
Influenza can cause severe disease across all age groups.
According to the California influenza surveillance report recently published, there were 404 influenza-associated deaths reported in persons under 65 years of age in California during the 2013-14 influenza season.
This was the highest number of deaths reported to CDPH since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza and related complications are the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, associated with thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year in the U.S.
“Influenza is much more serious than the common cold and has the potential of causing serious illness and death,” said Chapman. “But there is something we can do about it – getting vaccinated now is the best way to protect ourselves and our family against influenza and its complications.”
CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women. Healthy people between two and 49 years of age, who are not pregnant, may opt for the nasal spray flu vaccine instead of a shot.
All 2014-2015 flu vaccines protects against an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus and an influenza B virus, and some also protect against a second influenza B virus. This year’s flu vaccine contains the same strains that were part of the 2013-14 flu vaccine.
To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, Californians should also:
– Stay home when sick.
– Cover a cough or sneeze by using your elbow or a tissue and properly disposing of the used tissue.
– Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding contact with your eyes, nose and mouth.
Dr. Chapman encourages Californians to contact their health care provider, physician office, clinic, or pharmacy who are now offering flu vaccines.
Some local health departments may also offer low or no cost flu immunizations.
For more information about influenza visit the CDPH influenza Web page, http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Influenza%28Flu%29.aspx .
To find a flu vaccine location near you, visit www.flu.gov .
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Heroes of Health and Safety Fair welcomed over 1,500 guests on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
The free family-friendly event, sponsored by Sutter Lakeside Hospital and the Lake County Fire Chief’s Association offered attendees a range of safety-focused demonstrations, including a “Jaws-of-Life” extrication, multiple air ambulance helicopter landings and lift offs, and an appearance by the SWAT Unit Armored Vehicle.
More than 40 Lake County health and safety focused organizations offered attendees information about local services ranging from disaster preparedness to electrical safety to obesity awareness.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Lake County Public Health administered more than 450 free flu vaccinations at the event.
“We are ecstatic about the turnout, particularly as this was the first year for the event,” said Siri Nelson, chief administrative officer for Sutter Lakeside Hospital. “To be able to administer the flu shot to so many members of our community is outstanding. People seemed to have a great time, mingling with characters like McGruff and Smokey the Bear, visiting the booths, and seeing the helicopters and big rigs in action.”
Car seat safety inspections were conducted and over 60 car seats were replaced free of charge.
Free children's bike helmets were distributed throughout the day.
Six children's bikes were raffled off at the end of the event and families were encouraged to enroll in the Lake County Office of Education’s Hero Project.
Chief Willie Sapeta of the Lake County Fire Protection District added, “When I initially approached Siri at Sutter Lakeside with the idea for the Heroes of Health and Safety Fair, this is exactly what I had in mind: Lake County Search and Rescue services partnering with health providers to showcase what we have to offer to our community. I am completely overwhelmed that so many people visited the fair on Saturday and learned about ways to keep their families safe.”
The event was sponsored by Sutter Lakeside Hospital, the Lake County Fire Chief’s Association, California Highway Patrol, St. Helena Clear Lake, Lakeside Health Center, the American Red Cross, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County Office of Education and The Hero Project, and the Lake County Behavioral Health Services.
The Heroes of Health and Safety Fair will be an annual event.
