Health
SACRAMENTO – California’s State Senate on Friday approved a bill that gives counties broader options for treating individuals suffering under a 72-hour involuntary commitment order (commonly called a “5150”) for severe mental illness.
Senate Bill 364, authored by Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 38-0, and heads to the governor’s desk for his consideration.
“This year, the Legislature and Governor Brown have undertaken huge commitments to Californians suffering from mental illness” said Steinberg.
The Senate leader added, “We’ve dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to more crisis treatment facilities and personnel, and this bill is another demonstration of our resolve to improve California’s mental healthcare infrastructure. Opening up options for treatment facilities removes the burden from jails and hospital ERs, and shifts emergency care to much more appropriate settings.”
SB364 clarifies Welfare and Institutions Code 5150 of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act for individuals with specified mental health disorders to include a wider range of facilities licensed or certified as mental health treatment facilities.
It also allows people to be treated without being detained, to be treated in less restrictive environments, and promotes the appropriate level of treatment for each individual by encouraging counties to develop training programs for designated mental health workers.
Senate Bill 364 also protects patient rights by allowing the individual to request treatment at a facility of their choice, requires the person to be advised that they may contact the county’s Patients’ Rights Advocates, and ensures the safeguarding of a person’s children and property when he or she is taken into a custodial hold.
The bill is supported by the California Mental Health Directors’ Association, Disability Rights California, and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California.
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SACRAMENTO – Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, on Friday warned consumers with milk, soy, and/or wheat allergies not to eat four flavors of Williams-Sonoma brand sauces: Meyer Lemon Braising Base, 40-Clove Braising Base, Tagine Sauce, and Artichoke Pecorino Sauce, due to undeclared allergen ingredients.
Premier Foods, LLC of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., is voluntarily recalling the sauces that were sold exclusively at Williams-Sonoma stores.
The recall was initiated after CDPH identified the labeling omission during a routine inspection.
No illnesses have been reported at this time.
Products that are the focus of the warning include the following:
- Williams-Sonoma Brand Meyer Lemon Braising Base, 1 lb. 8.5 oz.; undeclared allergens – milk, soy, wheat.
- Williams-Sonoma Brand 40 Clove Garlic Chicken Braising Base, 24.5 oz.; undeclared allergens – milk, wheat.
- Williams-Sonoma Brand Tagine Sauce, 16 fl. oz.; undeclared allergens – milk, wheat.
- Williams-Sonoma Brand Artichoke Pecorino Sauce, 16 fl. oz.; undeclared allergen – soy.
The recalled Williams-Sonoma sauces are packaged in clear, glass jars.
People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy, wheat or milk products run the risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction, that requires immediate medical attention should they consume these products.
Consumers who have experienced allergic reaction after consuming any of these products should contact their health care provider.
Anyone observing the products being offered for sale is encouraged to call CDPH toll-free complaint line at 800-495-3232.
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UKIAH, Calif. – Ukiah Valley Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals.
The accreditation award recognizes UVMC’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
UVMC underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey in April.
A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated UVMC for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
“In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, UVMC has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients,” says Mark Pelletier, R.N., M.S., executive director, Hospital Programs, Accreditation and Certification Services, The Joint Commission. “Accreditation is a voluntary process and I commend UVMC for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”
“With Joint Commission accreditation, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to continually improve patient care and helps create a culture of excellence,” says, Chief Executive Officer Gwen Matthews.
The Joint Commission’s hospital standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of hospitals.
The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Once again, Lake County Behavioral Health will be offering prevention and early intervention (PEI) mini-grants to community agencies.
“We are excited to announce that the maximum mini-grant award has been increased to $2,500 this year,” Lake County Behavioral Health Prevention Coordinator Linda Aldridge said. “Previous projects and programs funded through these mini-grants have provided valuable resources and services to a variety of community members. The department is eager to see the innovative ideas that may be presented for consideration this year.”
The purpose of the PEI mini-grant program is to provide the Lake County community with an opportunity to develop prevention oriented activities aimed at building protective factors and reducing risk with respect to Mental Health issues.
The application will be open Sept. 1 through Oct. 4 and will be available on the department Web site.
Lake County Behavioral Health has been offering mini-grants, funded through the Mental Health Services Act, to community-based organizations since 2010.
Forty five grants have been awarded over the past three years to fund programs such as senior bereavement groups and education, providing rucksacks containing military surplus materials to needy veterans, and Mommy and Me parenting classes among others.
For more information, contact Linda Aldridge at 707-274-9101, Extension 134, or
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