Agenda

Return

D.7

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	William Walker, M.D., Health Services Director
Date:	May 13, 2014

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Health Care Delivery in West Contra Costa County - Closure of Doctors Medical Center

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/13/2014

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

Contact:

Dorothy Sansoe, 925-335-1009

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: May 13, 2014
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT report on the impact of the possible closure of Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo due to failure of the tax referendum on May 6, 2014 and the steps the County will be taking to address health care delivery in West Contra Costa County.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact - this is a report only. There is a potential future fiscal impact to the County from the closure of the hospital which cannot be measured at this time.

BACKGROUND:

The tax referendum to prevent Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo (DMC) from closing failed to pass on May 6, 2014. Possible closure of the facility is anticipated as early as July 2014 due to long standing economic issues that have threatened it’s sustainability for many years. All efforts to resolve these issues have been explored and are likely exhausted. Efforts to sustain hospital operations are tenuous. DMC leadership has submitted a closure plan to Contra Costa Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The pending closure will constitute a public health emergency.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

In July 2011 Contra Costa EMS conducted an independent analysis and impact report of Doctors Medical Center San Pablo (DMC). The report “Study of West County Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Department and Critical Care Access” indicated that the closure of DMC may result in a severe impact to the 250,000 residents of West Contra Costa County and is available at http://cchealth.org/ems/pdf/west_county_emergency_report_july_2011.pdf and is also attached to this Board Order. DMC is one of only two hospitals in West Contra Costa County, representing 79% of the inpatient capacity, 59% of the Emergency Department care and receives 62% of the ambulance traffic in West Contra Costa County. The hospital receives approximately 40,000 Emergency Department visits annually. The report determined the following impacts to the region:

• The elimination of DMC would impact all hospitals in the region but especially Kaiser Richmond.
• West County Emergency Department waiting times would likely reach 10-12 hours for walk-in patients.
• Ambulance off-load times could increase up to three hours impacting patient flow and safety.
• Rapid access to specialized services for high risk heart attack (STEMI) and stroke would be affected.
• 9-1-1 ambulance response throughout the entire Contra Costa EMS System would likely be affected resulting in delays for first responders.
• Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, John Muir Concord, Kaiser Richmond, Alameda County’s Summit, Alta Bates and Children’s Hospitals would be the most heavily impacted facilities.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The Board and the public will not receive this vital information.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Not applicable.

CLERK'S ADDENDUM

Speakers: Gayle McLaughlin, Mayor of Richmond; Maria Sahgun, West County resident; Hermelinda Gonzalez Rivero; Seong Choo, R.N. Doctors Medical Center (DMC); Vinnel Thomas, resident of El Sobrante; Madhu Sheth, DMC; John Grier, DMC; George Arauz, DMC; Sharo Drager, M.D, DMC; Jody Munoz, DMC; Chris Wright, DMC; Marianel Marshall-Diaz, resident of Richmond; Sam Mesnick, resident of Oakley; Antonio Medrano, San Pablo Chamber of Commerce; DeeAnn Barnes, resident of San Pablo; Carol DeYoung, DMC; Laura Innocent, DMC; Jane Gilbrecht, NUHW; Laurel Hodgson, M.D., DMC; Brenda Bagby, DMC; Michael Jhon, resident of El Cerrito; Arlin Robins, El Cerrito; Melvin Willis, ACCE; David Sharples, resident of Richmond; Edith Pastrano, ACCE; Maximo J. Rivera, resident of Richmond; Rochelle Bradley, DMC; Mike Parker, Richmond Progressive Alliance; Leslie Wyatt, DMC; Sibyl Nleal-Adesakon, BWOPA; Charlene Arrington, California Nurses Association; Joye Thomas-Cruz, resident of Vallejo; Jeff Kilbreth, resident of Richmond; Edwardo Martinez, resident of Martinez; Nemesia C. Oquendo, DMC; Patricia Jordan, resident of San Pablo; John Wilson, ACCE; Yovana Vasquez, ACCE; M. L. mellander, resident of El Sobrante; Irene Thompson, resident of San Pablo; Jim Bickert, Deputy Sheriffs' Association.