Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Calories In...Calories Out



With the holiday season upon us, it is a good time to think about our habits. There is no need to gain 5-10 pounds during the holidays; it can be avoided by being aware, planning ahead and balancing our eating and exercise.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, calories really do count. It is all about a balance;  calories in, calories out.

A calorie is a unit of energy supplied by food. No matter what the source; protein, fat, carbs, or sugar; a calorie is a calorie.

To remain in balance and maintain a specific weight, you need to maintain a caloric balance. The calories consumed must be balanced by the calories you use with normal body functions, activities and exercise.

It takes about 3500 calorie deficit to lose one pound of body fat. So if you want to lose 1 - 2 pounds per week, you need to reduce your calorie intake by 500-100 per day.

The SuperTracker tool from the USDA is a great resource to look up nutritional values of food, track your daily eating, record physical activity, manage weight, track goals and organize recipes. There are some other great resources at eatright.

No one wants to "diet" especially during the holidays; but you can work to maintain a balance and not gain weight. If you eat a little more, then exercise a little more.

Everyone is different and has different caloric needs. Find your balance and try to maintain. There are many simple tips on cutting calories at each meal. Try one or two each week.

When planning you holiday meals make substitutions in recipes, provide healthy appetizers and encourage an after meal family walk.

MMHD encourages you to keep your holidays healthy and active.








Friday, November 18, 2016

Food Safety


Information provided by the California Department of Public Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 6, or 48 million Americans contract a foodborne illness each year. Of those that become sick, nearly 128,000 people will be hospitalized and 3,000 will die as a result of their illness. There are some easy and effective steps you can take to help lessen your chance of contracting a foodborne illness.

CLEANLINESS 
• Wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling food for at least 20 seconds. Humming “happy birthday” twice while washing hands is a good way to ensure you are washing long enough.
 • Scrub cutting boards with hot, soapy water after preparing each item and before moving on to the next food. If your cutting board has deep groves or cut marks which make it difficult to clean, consider replacing it.
• After washing your utensils and cutting boards with soap and water, rinsing them with a bleach solution (made of one tablespoon of unscented liquid bleach diluted in one gallon of water) will provide effective sanitation action.
• Cover any cuts or skin abrasions on your hands to avoid contaminating the food. • Keep pets and household chemicals away from food preparation areas.

PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION
• Keep raw and cooked foods separate.
• Use separate cutting boards and knives for chopping ready to eat produce and raw meats.
• Never rinse raw poultry because it spreads germs around the kitchen sink, which can serve as a source of contamination for other foods.
• Discard used marinades.
• Use clean utensils and plates to remove cooked foods from grills and pans. Never place cooked foods back into the dish which held the raw or uncooked foods.
• At the grocery store, separate raw and uncooked meats from ready to eat items. Place raw meats in disposable, plastic bags away from other foods. California Department of Public Health
• Food and Drug Branch • (916) 650-6500
• fdbinfo@cdph.ca.gov Revised: 09/01/2015
 • If you use reusable shopping bags for groceries, designate specific bags for meats to avoid cross-contamination. Wash and dry bags as they become soiled.
 • Store bags used for groceries at home in a manner which protects them from other sources of contamination such as pets, children, and chemicals.
 • Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator in water-tight containers to prevent juices from leaking onto ready-to-eat and cooked foods.

COOKING 
• Color is an inaccurate way to determine if meat is sufficiently cooked. Instead, always use an accurate thermometer to measure the final internal temperature of meat and meat products.
• Measure the temperature in the thickest part of the food, ensuring the thermometer does not touch bone or the cooking pan which can give you an inaccurate reading. Be sure to thoroughly wash thermometers after each use.
• Wait until foods are completely cooked before taste testing.
• When using a microwave to cook or reheat food, be sure to rotate or stir the food to facilitate thorough heating. Additionally, some labels recommend a “resting time” for the food after cooking, before it should be served. Those instructions should be followed in order to allow the heat to evenly distribute.

CHILL
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Bacteria can grow in foods kept in the temperature “danger zone” (41°F—135°F) / (5 °C—58 °C) for an extended period of time.
• Refrigerate leftovers to less than 41°F / 5 °C as soon as possible, but definitely within 2 hours.
• Divide large amounts of warm stews, soups and other food items into smaller portions before placing in the refrigerator. Use shallow pans and loosely cover while in the refrigerator to allow warm air to escape and facilitate cooling.
• At the grocery store, select cold foods last and put them away first when you get home, to keep them cold.
• Refrigerated foods that are packaged in hermetically sealed or vacuum packaged containers should always be stored in the refrigerator. Storing these types of vacuum packaged products at room temperature could allow the production of Botulism toxin.
• Always follow package instructions, especially when it comes to keeping foods refrigerated!
• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or in a microwave immediately prior to cooking. Never thaw frozen foods on the counter.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

National Rural Health Day


NOSORH created National Rural Health Day as a way to showcase rural America; increase awareness of rural health-related issues; and promote the efforts of NOSORH, State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those issues. Plans call for National Rural Health Day to become an annual celebration on the third Thursday of each November.

            Events recognizing National Rural Health Day and “Celebrating the Power of Rural” are being planned throughout the nation. 

            Approximately 62 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural and frontier communities throughout the United States. “These small towns, farming communities and frontier areas are wonderful places to live and work; they are places where neighbors know each other and work together,” said NOSORH Director Teryl Eisinger. “The hospitals and providers serving these rural communities not only provide quality patient care, but they also help keep good jobs in rural America.”

            These communities also face unique healthcare needs. “Today more than ever, rural communities must tackle accessibility issues, a lack of healthcare providers, the needs of an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un- and underinsured citizens,” Eisinger said. “Meanwhile, rural hospitals are threatened with declining reimbursement rates and disproportionate funding levels that makes it challenging to serve their residents.”

            State Offices of Rural Health play a key role in addressing those needs. All 50 states maintain a State Office of Rural Health, each of which shares a similar mission: to foster relationships, disseminate information and provide technical assistance that improves access to, and the quality of, health care for its rural citizens. In the past year alone, State Offices of Rural Health collectively provided technical assistance to more than 28,000 rural communities.


            Additional information about National Rural Health Day can be found at nosorh.org/nrhd. To learn more about NOSORH, visit www.nosorh.org; to learn more about Mayers Memorial Hospital District, visit www.mayersmemorial.com.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Cold or the Flu?




How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu? Knowing the difference:

The common cold and the flu are contagious respiratory infections that affect  millions of people annually. Children can be affected more often than adults; and may catch a cold up to 10 times per year.

Generally the flu happens less often than colds.

Recognize the difference in the symptoms:

COLD:
  • Low grade  or NO fever
  • Headaches are UNCOMMON
  • Mild fatigue, weakness
  • Mild aches and pains
  • Sneezing, stuffy nose
  • Mild cough
  • Sore throat
FLU:
  • Sudden fever lasting 3-4 days
  • Headache - prominent
  • Extreme fatigue that can last weeks
  • Severe aches and pains
  • Sneezing, stuffy nose - sometimes
  • Cough - can be severe
  • Sore throat - sometimes
PREVENTION:
  • Wash hands with soap and water
  • Keep kitchen, restroom, toys, remotes, etc. clean
  • Don't share food or drink items
  • Avoid contact
  • Avoid crowds
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Keep your hands away from eyes, nose and mouth
  • Get plenty of sleep, exercise and nutritious food
  • Get your flu vaccine

DON'T SPREAD GERMS:
  • Avoid close contact
  • Use tissues or inside of elbow for coughing and sneezing
  • Wash thoroughly after coughing and sneezing
  • Discard used tissues immediately
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF:
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Increase rest
  • Avoid tobacco and alcohol
SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE:
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Feeling of faintness
  • Severe sore throat
  • Productive cough with colored phlegm
  • High fever
  • Symptoms last more than 10 days
  • Fever with shaking chills
  • Chest pain with breathing or cough
  • If you have other health conditions
Mayers Memorial Hospital




Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Second Hand Smoke




Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke is a mixture of two forms of smoke; sidestream smoke from the lighted end of the cigarette and mainstream smoke that is exhaled by the smoker.

Smoke is smoke, right? Not exactly. Sidestream smoke has a higher concentration of carcinogens and is more toxic than mainstream smoke. Additionally, sidestream smoke is made up of smaller particles that make their way into the lungs and body cells easier.

Non-smokers who breathe in secondhand smoke take in nicotine and toxic chemicals the same way a smoker does. The more you are exposed to secondhand smoke, the higher the level of harmful chemicals in your body.

Tobacco smoke is a mixture of gases and particles containing more than 7000 chemical compounds; more than 250 are known to be harmful and 69 of them are known to cause cancer.

No level of secondhand smoke is safe. Every 2 in 5 children are exposed to secondhand smoke and one in four nonsmokers are exposed. Secondhand smoke causes death in over 41,000 nonsmokers each year. Exposure is most common in children ages 3 to 11, African Americans and those living below the poverty level.

Many states have smokefree laws which protect people in restaurants, bars and private worksites.

Avoiding secondhand smoke is important. Try to not be around people that smoke - even better try to encourage friends and family to quit smoking. Keep your home smoke free, especially if you have children.


For more information visit MMHD.

Monday, October 31, 2016

November is Hospice Month



MYTH: If I accept a referral to Hospice, I have given up.

FACT: Accepting a referral to Hospice simply means you have chosen to focus on the quality of life for however much time you have left. The goal of Hospice care is to reduce physical pain, create emotional well-being and enhance spiritual peace.

November is National Hospice Month; a time to share the message of what Hospice really means.

Each year more than 1.6 million people with a life-limiting illness receive care from Hospice providers. Most Hospice is provided in the home, allowing people to be with their loved ones and be in comfortable surroundings.

Hospice provides a special kind of care and support; helping patients and their families with decision making, meeting life goals, enhancing family relationships and promoting comfort.

There are 6 reminders about Hospice that can help one to understand this type of care.

  1. Hospice care is usually in the home or wherever the patient calls home
  2. Hospice cares for people with any kind of life-limiting illness
  3. Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medi-cal, private insurance and donations
  4. Hospice support is available 24/7
  5. Hospice is not "giving up", it is a focus on caring - not curing
  6. Anyone can contact Hospice to learn if it is right for your loved one
Intermountain Hospice at Mayers Memorial Hospital is fully staffed to care for the needs of residents within the district.

Always Caring...Always Here

Thursday, October 27, 2016

It is PT Month!


It is Physical Therapy Month!

Mayers Memorial Hospital is proud of our great Physical Therapy Department staffed with skilled, dedicated employees. We thank them for their dedication!

 Why should you consider Physical Therapy as an option for your situation?

Physical Therapists are experts in improving mobility and motion.  Pain free movement is crucial to quality of life, ability to work and enjoy your favorite activities.

Improve Mobility and Motion
Being able to move freely is essential for life. Being active can prevent obesity and diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Consistent movement is important to maintaining good balance, which is important in preventing falls and injuries.

Physical Therapists work with patients of all ages and ability levels to restore, expand and maintain a good range of motion.

Avoid Surgery and Prescriptions
Many patients come to a physical therapist following an injuring. There are many times the rehabilitation can "do the trick" and prevent potential surgery and eliminate the use of pain prescriptions.

After surgery, Physical Therapy is an important part of recovery and regaining mobility.

Be an Active Participant in You Recovery
Patients are a part of developing their goals in order to meet individual needs and challenges. Participating in your own recovery is rewarding.

Each patient responds different to treatment. People have different types of bodies, ailments, habits and lifestyles. The beauty of Physical Therapy is that it is designed to meet individual needs.

At MMHD, Physical Therapists work collaboratively to provide quality care to their patients.  After a referral is received, a full evaluation is scheduled to determine the course of treatment that is best for the patient.

Together, the staff at MMHD is ready to help you meet your goals of rehabilitation.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Meet Our Respiratory Therapists

Edward Wright and Adam Dendauw



It is Respiratory Care Week and it is Lung Health Day. At MMHD, we are proud to serve you with a QUALITY Respiratory Therapy Department.  

Meet our Respiratory Therapists:

Adam Dendauw-Respiratory Manager: Registered Respiratory Therapist, with Asthma Educator certification, 10 years of experience with all aspects of respiratory care, from floor care & ICU ventilator management to pulmonary function testing and neonatal resuscitation. I have worked in the acute setting, clinical proctoring/teaching for Oregon Institute of Technology and now the critical access setting. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Mayers and the unique patient care experience the hospital


Edward Wright-Respiratory Care Practitioner: Ed came to use from Colusa Regional Medical Center, unfortunately after 18 years of service there, the facility shut down. Mayers was fortunate to add Ed to our team as he brings a great deal of experience to the respiratory department. Ed is well versed in many aspects of respiratory care, ventilator management, neonatal resuscitation, arterial blood gas punctures and now pulmonary function testing. Ed also brings a very personable attitude to the facility, which has allowed him to connect with our patients and staff quickly. 

Monday, October 24, 2016

Respiratory Care Week






HAPPY RESPIRATORY WEEK
People often ask what a Respiratory Therapist is, so here you go. A respiratory therapist or “RT” provides many services to patients. The services may be outpatient which include performing pulmonary function testing to see how well ones lung function is. A Pulmonary function test is the only true way to diagnose COPD. RT’s also provide pulmonary rehabilitation services to help patients with lung diseases to help them be able to perform daily activities more easily through exercise training, education, smoking cessation, and breathing exercises. RT’s can also perform diagnostic sleep studies to help diagnose and treat sleep apnea.

In the inpatient setting RT’s have many roles and see patients in all areas of the hospital. RT’s provide bronchodilator therapy via aerosol treatments, provide mucous clearing adjuncts, and provide education and smoking cessation. We are also able to assess our patients and treat them with certain therapies according to their respiratory state. Arterial blood gases are a type of lab that respiratory draws. This is different from a normal blood draw due to the fact that we are drawing it from an artery and not a vein. An artery carries oxygenated blood and gives us insight to the patient’s respiratory and metabolic state.

Respiratory therapists treat patients of all ages ranging from newborn to end of life. RT’s also play a key role when it comes to life saving measures. We manage and run all ventilators while the patient requires support. RT’s can also perform intubations. Once ready patients can be “weaned” from the ventilator and the breathing tube removed to allow for a patient to breathe on their own. During births RT is on standby and attends all c-sections to help manage the baby if it is unable to maintain its own airway.

The job of the RT is often misunderstood and often underappreciated but continues to grow and make progress. As an RT it is wonderful to see how much progress a patient can make when you least expect it. Each day at work has something new and is never the same as the next but brings joy knowing you are part of a healthcare team that has one goal in mind, providing care to those in need.

Friday, October 21, 2016

MMHD Staff Supports PINK


The color PINK was out in full force for THINK PINK DAY, Thursday, October 20th. MMHD staff showed their support of Breast Cancer Awareness by distributing Nor Cal THINK PINK bags and wearing pink.

Thank you to our staff that decorated, participated and coordinated this great effort!

Burney Annex Staff



Fall River Staff

Goody Bags!

Monday, October 17, 2016

Infection Prevention Week



Break the Chain of Infection! is this year's theme for Infection Prevention Week. It is important to spread the word about how the public and healthcare professionals can contribute to the goal of infection prevention.

There is the possibility of many different germs inside and outside of the healthcare setting. Germs can spread between persons, therefore breaking the chain of infection is vital. No matter what the germ is, there are six points at which the chain can be broken and the germ can be stopped from infecting another person. 


  • Infectious Agent - the germ that caused the disease
  • Reservoir - places the pathogen lives (people, animals, insects, equipment, soil and water)
  • Portal of Exit - the way the infectious agent leaves the reservoir (open wounds, aerosols, and body fluids - coughing, sneezing and saliva)
  • Means of Transmission - the ways infectious agents can be passed on (direct contact, ingestion, inhalation)
  • Portal of Entry - the way an infectious agent can enter a new host (broken skin, respiratory tract, and mucous membranes)
  • Susceptible Host - any person, the most vulnerable being those receiving healthcare or those that are immune compromised.
The way to stop germs from spreading is interrupting this chain at any link. These practices can effectively break the chain...
  • Hand Hygiene
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • First Aide
  • Food Safety
  • Cleaning, Disinfection, Liberalization
  • Waste Disposal
  • Respiratory Etiquette
  • Isolation




Friday, October 14, 2016

Meet Our Imaging Team

Manager, CT Tech, Alan Northington; Lead CT Tech, Tyson Wilson; CT Tech, Shauna Davis; Ultrasound Tech, Catarina Medina


Mayers Memorial Hospital District would like to introduce you to our Imaging Department Team. We are staffed with three CT Technicians; Alan Northington, Manager, Tyson Wilson, Lead, and Shauna Davis.  Our Ultrasound Technician is Catarina Medina.

The MMHD Imaging Department is open Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm at the Fall River Campus.  Additionally, the department is available for emergency calls after hours and on weekends. 

MMHD's Imaging Department provides X-Ray, CT, Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy.

With the facility expansion at MMHD, Imaging will have a new space in the facility when construction is completed.  This will provide many new opportunities and options for new imaging equipment. 

For more information contact (530)336-5511.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

National Pharmacist Month





It is National Pharmacist Month - Meet Mayers Memorial Hospital District's Pharmacist Keith Earnest.

He is one of our “grow-your-own” prodigies. He was born in the hospital where he has been dedicated and loyal since his hire date May 1, 1999. He was hired as Mayers’ pharmacist and was promoted to a senior-level position in January of 2008. His position as the Chief Clinical Officer includes many clinical and leadership functions within the general acute care (CAH) facility and skilled nursing facility, including hospice.


He has been on the Board of Directors for the Mayers Intermountain Healthcare Foundation since 2000—with the majority of his tenure serving as President. He works with Intermountain Hospice, Good News Rescue Mission, youth ministries and various other community organizations. He is a graduate of Fall River High School and completed his secondary education and Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of the Pacific. Earnest completed his residency at Huntsville Hospital in Alabama.

Monday, October 10, 2016

National Case Management Week


National Case Management Week October 9 - 15

This week is an opportunity to recognize the dedication, compassion and quality patient care outcomes achieved by case managers across the health care continuum. The theme for this year is Case Management: We Listen. We Care. We Lead.
Case managers provide collaborative clinical assessment, care coordination, patient education, counseling, case monitoring/clinical pathway management, discharge planning, resource management and patient advocacy. ACMA is the first case management association specifically designed to address the needs and concerns of health care delivery system case management and transitions of care professionals.
         Mayers Memorial Hospital District (MMHD) would like recognize the significant contributions of our case manager’s impact on our ability to provide the best patient care possible, positively affecting the patient experience while promoting best practices and cost-effective outcomes.

          MMHD’s Case Manager BJ Burks says, “I consider it a privilege to be able to serve our community and staff in the role of case management.  Case management offers me the opportunity to integrate healing and growth for both staff and patients along with our residents.  Besides the normal expectations of placement and safe environment, I have the opportunity to work with insurance companies, develop resources and utilize educational opportunities to benefit all levels of care.  To be able to help create a support network system for the success of the discharging person is very rewarding. Being a part of Team Mayers in the growing, developing health care field has been so fulfilling when I can apply these concepts to a successful discharge for a person.” 

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

October is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month


October is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month. The goal of the observance is to increase the public's awareness and knowledge about medical ultrasound.  Ultrasound has many uses in healthcare. Although much of the general public is familiar with ultrasound during pregnancy, many people are unaware that ultrasound can be used throughout all stages of life and for various medical indications. 

Medical Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is a diagnostic imaging technique based on the application of ultrasound.  It is used to see internal body structures such as tendons, muscles, joints, vessels and internal organs. Unlike x-ray, there is no ionizing radiation exposure associated with ultrasound. 

In an ultrasound exam, a transducer is placed directly on the skin.  A thin layer of gel is applied to the skin so that the ultrasound waves are transmitted from the transducer through the gel into the body. 

Common uses of ultrasound include:

  • Abdominal
  • Bone sonometry
  • Breast ultrasound
  • Doppler fetal heart rate monitors
  • Doppler Ultrasound
  • Echocardiogram
  • Fetal Ultrasound
  • Ultra-sound guided biopsies
  • Ophthalmic ultrasound
  • Ultrasound guided needle placement
MMHD would like to welcome our new Ultrasound Technician, Catarina Medina.



For more information on MMHD's ultrasound services, visit our website. Or call (530)336-5511 Ext. 1142



Tuesday, October 4, 2016

CNA Class Coming in January



CNA Class is coming in January

Mayers Memorial Hospital District is once again collaborating with Shasta College to offer a Certified Nursing Assistant’s (CNA) class.  The class will begin in January.  Classroom theory will be Mondays and Tuesdays at Shasta College in Redding and Clinical time will be Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Burney Annex.

There will be financial assistance available through the SMART program. Transportation to Redding may also be provided.

For more information or to pick up an application from the Human Resources Department at MMHD in Fall River Mills or at the Burney Annex. Call (530)336-5511 Ext. #1206 for details

What is a CNA?


Reporting to the on-duty Charge Nurse, the CNA is responsible for performing patient care activities within their scope of practice for an assigned group of patients and/or residents on a daily basis and documents care that is given.  CNA’s provide direct patient/resident care to both acute and long-term care patients under the supervision of licensed nurses.



Monday, October 3, 2016

THINK PINK






October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. One of the best forms of prevention is education. Millions of women are surviving the disease thanks in part to early detection and improvements in treatment. Efforts to educate and promote awareness are making a difference.

What can you do? Take care of yourself. A breast self-exam should be a part of your routine. There are many resources available to provide tips for self-exams. Five steps of a self-exam is a great place to start.

If you are over 40 or at a high risk for the disease, you should also have an annual mammogram and physical exam by a doctor. The earlier breast cancer is found and diagnosed, the better chance you have of beating it.

There are many risk factors that can increase your chance of developing  breast cancer. Many are beyond your control, but there are many you can control such as weight, physical activity and alcohol consumption.

There are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible, such as a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol and getting enough exercise. More Tips.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

September is National Preparedness Month


September is National Preparedness Month which serves as a reminder that we all need to be prepared for a variety of emergencies that we could potentially experience.  Emergencies can affect us where we live, work and places we visit. 

Does your family know what to do in the case of a disaster or emergency? Do you have an emergency bag ready?  Do you have a plan in the case that your family is not together when an emergency happens?

What can you do?


  • GET A KIT - Water, food, battery powered radio and extra batteries, flashlight, first aid kit, whistle (to signal for help), filter mask, moist towelettes, tools, can opener, plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place), medications and other unique family needs.
  • MAKE A PLAN - Plan in advance. What will you do in an emergency? Develop a family communications plan. Create a shelter in place plan. Create a plan to evacuate or leave - determine where you will go and options on how you will get there
  • BE INFORMED - Begin a process to learn more about specific threats in order to prepare yourself for what to do in an emergency. 
  • GET INVOLVED - Help inform your community by becoming involved.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

AB2024 Allows Critical Access Hospitals to Hire Physicians

Sacramento – AB 2024 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) was signed by the Governor. Recruiting physicians to practice in rural communities is a significant challenge. Only 16 of California’s 58 counties have enough primary care physicians. As a result, only one-third of Californians live in a community where they have adequate access to health care. Adequately staffing these hospitals is absolutely necessary for the health of its residents and the viability of the community. This bill will allow federally certified “critical access hospitals” – hospitals with less than 25 beds and typically located in remote, rural areas – to employ physicians and bill for those services, a practice currently prohibited in California. Current law does not allow the employment of physicians, with only a few exceptions. “Preserving the conventional mode of practice is short-sighted,” said Wood. “Other states have shown that the sky will not fall and hiring physicians who want to practice as an employee has been mutually beneficial, especially in rural areas where operating a private practice may not be financially feasible.” “I introduced AB 2024 because people in rural California deserve access to health care. Creating a pathway and incentive for physicians to practice in these communities is a great first step,” said Wood, “and we are very pleased that the Governor recognizes this challenge in rural communities.

Source: 

GovBuddy






Assembly Bill No. 2024
CHAPTER 496

An act to amend Section 2401 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

[ Approved by Governor  September 23, 2016. Filed with Secretary of State  September 23, 2016. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2024, Wood. Critical access hospitals: employment.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, restricts the employment of physicians and surgeons or doctors of podiatric medicine by a corporation or other artificial legal entity to entities that do not charge for professional services rendered to patients and are approved by the Medical Board of California, subject to specified exemptions. Existing law establishes the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, which succeeds to and is vested with all the duties, powers, responsibilities, and jurisdiction of the State Department of Public Health relating to health planning and research development.
This bill, until January 1, 2024, would also authorize a federally certified critical access hospital to employ those medical professionals and charge for professional services rendered by those medical professionals if the medical staff concur by an affirmative vote that the professional’s employment is in the best interest of the communities served by the hospital and the hospital does not direct or interfere with the professional judgment of a physician and surgeon, as specified. The bill would require the office, on or before July 1, 2023, to provide a report to the Legislature containing data on the impact of this authorization on federally certified critical access hospitals and their ability to recruit and retain physicians and surgeons, as specified. The bill would, on and after July 1, 2017, and until July 1, 2023, require a federally critical access hospital employing those medical professionals under this authorization to submit a report, on or before July 1 of each year, to the office as specified.


Monday, September 26, 2016

Volley for the Cure



Mayers Memorial Hospital District (MMHD) is excited to invite you to local THINK PINK Volleyball events!  Each of the three local high schools will host a THINK PINK volleyball game in October and MMHD will be right there with them.

Fall River Senior Grace Lommen had a purpose in mind when she chose her senior project. Making a difference in Breast Cancer Awareness and honoring a Breast Cancer survivor was something that meant a lot to Grace. She hosted a volleyball camp, but to culminate her project, she will be organizing the Fall River High School THINK PINK Volleyball game. 

Fall River's THINK PINK game will be October 6th and will help kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Burney's is set for October 18th and Big Valley's game will be October 26th. 

MMHD will be present at each of the three games and will sponsor giveaways, drawings, information on Breast Cancer and will also give out FREE t-shirts to the first 50 fans at each game.

Please join us!



Friday, September 16, 2016

Community Education Series


MMHD will be hosting a Community Education Series beginning with a Medicare Open Enrollment Informational Meeting on September 26, 2016.  There will be two sessions; one in Fall River Mills at 10:00 am and one in Burney at 1:00 p.m. The meetings will be in the board rooms at the respective facilities. 

Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 - December 7, 2016. This will be an opportunity to learn about plans that may have better coverage, higher quality and lower costs. 

You will also have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one counseling with MMHD's Patient Financial Counselor/Registered HICAP Counselor.  It is important to make sure you have the right health and prescription drug coverage. 

For more information contact Colene Hickman 530-336-7552

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Environmental Services Week


This week is National Environmental Services Week.

With emerging infectious diseases, contagious viral strains, and antibiotic resistant ‘superbugs’ which are a major threat for healthcare institutions large and small, knowledge of proper infection control measures within the healthcare setting is very important.
In a healthcare environment, harmful or pathogenic microorganisms must be reduced or killed in order to protect and ensure the well-being of patients, staff and visitors.  Disinfection, sanitizing and decontaminating surfaces, whether they are found in the isolation room, operating room, patient room or elsewhere within the facility, can be enormously challenging.  Environmental Services staff plays an essential role in providing a clean and safe environment for all through infection prevention and control practices.


Join us in celebrating and acknowledging our Environmental Services staff at MMHD for their contributions to providing quality healthcare to the patients we serve.  

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Art Whitney - Board of Director


Member of the Board - Art Whitney

Art Whitney was born and raised in the Sacramento area.  He graduated from the University of the Pacific, School of Pharmacy in 1973.

In 1983, he took a four year sabbatical from the pharmaceutical business.  Art and his family moved aboard their forty-six foot sailboat and spent the next four years cruising over 12,000 miles.  While visiting the island of St. Lucia, Art became involved with Project Hope, an international health educational organization based in Millwood, Virginia.  He spent nine months working for Project Hope on the island of St. Lucia as a pharmacy educator teaching students from seven different countries.

Upon returning from this four year excursion in 1987, Art founded Pacific West Pharmacy, Inc., a closed door pharmacy.   This pharmacy was developed to service the special health care needs of the long term care patients who reside in nursing facilities.  The company has grown from servicing five hundred nursing facility beds to now servicing over four thousand nursing home beds throughout California.  Art participated in evaluating a humanitarian relief program for United States Aid to International Development (USAID) that had been implemented by Project Hope in Russia.  From this evaluation, Art later returned to Russia for Project Hope to consult on future relief programs in the NIS (new independent states of the former USSR), primarily Central Asia.

 Art also served time evaluating war torn hospitals in Croatia for Project Hope.  His mission was to develop a humanitarian relief program to assist in restoring the hospitals medical supply needs.  He then returned to Croatia and Bosnia in 1994 to help implement hospital relief programs and consult with government health officials regarding non-socialistic health care systems.  

In more recent years, Art developed Advantage Pharmaceuticals, a custom compounding center.  This company’s mission is to provide individual patient care and consulting services focusing on BHRT (bio-identical hormone therapy).  Advantage Pharmaceuticals houses a state of the art, Class 1000 compounding lab meeting the recent revised Federal USP 797 sterile compounding guidelines.

            Art currently lives in Grass Valley and Fall River Mills, California with his wife, Caroline Beteta. Together they have four children, Alexandra, Nick, Corey, Troy and six grandchildren.

            Art has served on the MMHD Board of Directors since 2012.