HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09101985 - 2.6 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY , CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on September 10, 1985 , by the following vote:
IAYES: Supervisors Powers , McPeak , Torlakson, Fanden
I
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Schroder
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Status Report on Change of Status
of Brookside Hospital Emergency
f Room from Basic to Standby
I
In response to the request of the Board on August 27 , 19852
Mark Finucane , Health Services Director , submitted a report dated
September 3, 1985 (copy attached) advising that Doctors Hospital in
Pinole will accept Code III emergency surgical cases because of the
action of Brookside Hospital to downgrade the status of their
emergency room from basic to standby. Brookside Hospital will con-
tinue to provide medical emergency service .
i
On recommendation of Supervisor Tom Powers , IT IS BY THE
BOARD ORDERED that the Chairwoman is AUTHORIZED to execute a letter
to the Directors of Doctors Hospital in Pinole expressing appreciation
for their assistance in mitigating the impact of the reduced level
of emergency service available to West County.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that receipt of the report of the
Health Services Director is ACKNOWLEDGED .
i
I
cc: Health Services Director
County Administrator
1 hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of
an action tat(en and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: 2� Ld���, X983
P141L SATC ELOR, Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
By V&),464� , Deput�r
-' Contra Costa CourA%l
RECEIVED
-�_ CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
SEP 5 1985
HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT Office of
County Administrator
To: Board Members September 3, 1985
Date:
-- From ark—Finucane Subject: BROOK SI DE DOWNGRADE
Health Services Director TO STANDBY
i
Effective 12:01 a.m. August 31 , the Board of Directors of Brookside
Hospital downgraded the status of their Emergency Room from Basic to
Standby. Long standing problems with surgical coverage is the cause.
Their decision affects approximately 30 Code III cases monthly in West
County. About half of them are medical (not surgical ) and can be accomo-
dated by Brookside still . The other 15 will be routed to Doctors
Hospital in Pinole. Doctors Hospital decided not to change their status,
a decision we welcomed. Their surgeons are currently providing coverage.
Members of my staff and I are working closely with the providers in West County
and State licensing officials to monitor events there and to assure that
Doctors Hospital , smaller than Brookside, will be able to sustain its new
role as the only Basic Emergency Room in West County.
The County Health Services Department performs two functions in this
situation:
1 . We are responsible, through the Emergency Medical Services
office, for the transportation of patients to the appropriate -
facilities. I, Dr. Walker, and his staff are working closely
with the State Department of Licensing and Certification.
2. Merrithew Memorial Hospital is an important and very busy pro-
vider of emergency care. We aid where possible, and when we
have the resources, other institutions in the community.
However, we could not provide clinical back-up to Brookside and
cannot do it for Doctors Hospital . Meeting the standards for
our own Basic Emergency service takes virtually all our energy
and personnel .
This first weekend passed without incident. All of us involved are moni-
toring the situation closely. Members of my staff and I will meet with
State officials, again, in two weeks. Our physicians and administration
are in close regular contact with West County providers.
I will keep you appraised of all changes in the situation .
MF:mm
(8)MFBS
A-41 3181