June 25, 2013 (La Mesa) – The Senior Resource Center at Sharp Grossmont Hospital offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. For more information, call 619-740-4214. For other programs, call 1-800-827-4277 or visit our web site at www.sharp.com.

MEDICARE AND YOU

Learn about the basics of Medicare including Parts A, B, C and D from Jean Soderberg, HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program). Also learn additional information regarding Medicare Advantage, HMOs, PPOs, etc. Hear about Medicare Saving Program (MSP) and Extra-Help Program that assists with prescription costs. Wednesday, July 17 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at www.sharp.com

LIVING A BRAIN HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

The health of your brain plays a critical role in almost everything you do. Learn to identify brain healthy foods, understand how physical exercise can improve brain health, learn mentally challenging activities and how they strengthen brain cells. Presented by Holly Pobst, Education Manager, Alzheimer’s Association. Monday, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at www.sharp.com

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

Discover the tools to be successful when talking with your health care provider. Learn strategies for choosing a provider, good communication skills during office visits and the importance of pre-planning. Free Vials of Life, Advance Directives and more are available. This free program is Friday, July 26, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at www.sharp.com

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

Have your blood pressure checked by a registered nurse. No appointment necessary. Open to the public. For information, call 619-740-4214.

Sharp Grossmont Senior Resource Center, 9000 Wakarusa, La Mesa. Tuesday, July 2, 9:30-11 a.m.

La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, 8450 La Mesa Blvd., Friday, July 19, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

PROJECT C.A.R.E. (COMMUNITY ACTION TO REACH THE ELDERLY)

This free program helps people who live alone by offering a phone call each day. It there’s no answer, someone is called to check on you. Other Project C.A.R.E. services include Vial of Life, friendly visitor from the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol and more. East county residents may call the Sharp Grossmont Hospital Senior Resource Center at 619-740-4214. Seniors in other zip codes may call 1-800-510-2020 for locations throughout San Diego County.

 

September 27, 2013 (La Mesa) – The Senior Resource Center at Sharp Grossmont Hospital offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. Scroll down for details on next month’s programs.  For more information, call 619-740-4214. For other programs, call 1-800-827-4277 or visit www.sharp.com.

SENIOR FLU VACCINATIONS

The Sharp Grossmont Senior Resource Center will offer flu shots to seniors, high risk adults and caregivers at various locations. $2 donation requested.  No appointments needed. Call 619-740-4214 for more locations.

Thursday, October 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa.

Tuesday, October 15, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine St., Lakeside.

Thursday, October 17, 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Salvation Army of El Cajon, 1011 E Main St., El Cajon

Wednesday, October 23, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lemon Grove Senior Center, 8235 Mount Vernon St., Lemon Grove

Friday, October 25, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the College Avenue Senior Center, 4855 College Ave., San Diego.

HEALING FOR THE FAMILY CAREGIVER:  ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONE

Family caregivers learn essential tools for self-care and relaxation, techniques to enhance the care you provide your loved one and simple healing touch techniques.  Presented by Lisa Goodman, Integrative Care Coordinator, Sharp HospiceCare on Wednesday, October 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Grossmont Healthcare District’s Herrick Library, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa.

Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at www.sharp.com.

HOW DO I DO THIS? CAREGIVING AT HOME

Learn & practice the basics of caring for a loved one at home including transfers, personal care, proper body mechanics & more from a registered nurse. Cost: $10. Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sharp Grossmont Hospital Brier Patch Campus, 9000 Wakarusa, Classroom 13/14, La Mesa

Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at www.sharp.com.

RESOURCES AND TOOLS FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Family caregivers can learn out about health and community resources, placement options, support groups and more from Andrea Holmberg, Program Coordinator, Senior Resource Center. Program includes a discussion on the emotional issues people face when caring for a loved one and caring through the holidays. Monday, October 28, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa.

Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at www.sharp.com.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

Have your blood pressure checked by a registered nurse. No appointment necessary. Open to the public. For information, call 619-740-4214.

Sharp Grossmont Senior Resource Center, 9000 Wakarusa, La Mesa, Tuesday, October 1, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, 8450 La Mesa Blvd., Friday, October 18, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

PROJECT C.A.R.E. COMMUNITY ACTION TO REACH THE ELDERLY

This free program helps people who live alone by offering a phone call each day. It there’s no answer, someone is called to check on you. Other Project C.A.R.E. services include Vial of Life, friendly visitor from the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol and more. East county residents may call the Sharp Grossmont Hospital Senior Resource Center at 619-740-4214. Seniors in other zip codes may call 1-800-510-2020 for locations throughout San Diego County.

SENIOR RESOURCE CENTER INFORMATION & REFERRAL

The Sharp Grossmont Hospital Senior Resource Center staff is trained to help seniors and their families connect with other services. Do you need a Vial of Life? Do you need an Advance Directive for Health Care form? Do you need information on caregiving, exercise or health? Call the Senior Resource Center at 619-740-4214.

March 29, 2014 (La Mesa)--The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports various health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County region, recently awarded $85,500 in scholarships to 38 high school students who have expressed interest in a career as a healthcare professional.

The students from 19 high schools in the East County were selected by school administrators for their academic excellence, outstanding citizenship and a desire to improve our world in the healthcare field. Two students from each high school will receive a GHD scholarship of either $3,000 or $1,500. Students will receive checks from GHD at the end of their first semester of college contingent on completing at least nine units with a grade point average of 2.0 or better, according to GHD 2014 board president Dr. Michael Long.

“We applaud these specially selected students who have demonstrated great potential in leading the next generation and shaping the future of healthcare,” said Long. “We are proud to invest in America’s youth and encourage these young adults as they continue their studies in the healthcare field with the goal of serving in the workforce of tomorrow. We look forward to following their successes through college and beyond.” 

The students included (name of the high school follows the students’ names): Brianna Tirado, Alisha Jensen, Chaparral; Mariah Weaklem, Daniel Guidry, Christian; Chauntiera Cook, Lana Abdulrazzaq, El Cajon Valley; Nick Macias, Nicole Knaresboro, El Capitan; Caleb Hale, Liberty Lee, Foothills Christian; Carly Martin, Sierra O’Neill, Granite Hills; Daniel Ireton, Austin Stephens, Grossmont; Cheyenne Stokes, Justin Fatoohi, Grossmont Middle College; Alondra Lopez-Barajas, Irving Ruiz, Helix Charter; Alexis Valdez, Roman Odom, Liberty Charter; Adriana Martinez, Masiti Mohamed, Mount Miguel; Annastacia Watson, Molly Smith, Monte Vista; Carolyn Kravitz, Sariana Salazar-Lewis, Mountain Empire; Rylie Ruckle, Nina Sinbandit, Patrick Henry; Joel Erberich, Meghan Smith, River Valley Charter; Ryan Pena, Griffin Rizzo, Santana; Sahar Nafez, Samantha Abbott, Steele Canyon Charter; Leana Frankul, Dahlia Aleshaki, Valhalla; Torian Riley, Ojeni Touma, West Hills.

The scholarships were presented by GHD at its March 21 board meeting. GHD has honored local high school students interested in a healthcare career with scholarship grants since 1999. Over the years, hundreds of local high school students have received individual scholarships totaling $876,500.

The Grossmont Healthcare District, formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital, serves as landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital, including ownership of the property and buildings on behalf of East County taxpayers. The District is governed by a five-member board of directors, each elected to four-year terms, who represent more than 500,000 people residing within the District's 750 square miles in San Diego's East County. For more information about GHD, visit www.grossmonthealthcare.org.

Memorial fund to be established to benefit hospice care; services pending

By Miriam Raftery

July 12, 2014 (La Mesa) – Grossmont Hospital is mourning the loss of its chief executive officer, Michele Tarbet, who passed away yesterday morning at her home surrounded by her family members, under the care of Grossmont’s hospice care.

An announcement issued jointly by Sharp Healthcare and  Sharp Grossmont Hospital yesterday, voiced “a heavy heart and great sadness” at the news.  “Michele’s passing was peaceful and she left this world with dignity and grace,” he stated. “We will miss her immensely. Fortunately for us, Michele has left an indelible mark on Sharp HealthCare, Grossmont Hospital, the East County, and the countless individuals she worked with and knew.”

Barry Jantz, CEO of the Grossmont Healthcare District, praised Tarbet for her efforts in support of the successful passage of Prop G and for major new construction projects at the hospital.  “ Michele will be missed by us all,” he added.

A Michele Tarbet Memorial Fund will be established at Grossmont Hospital Foundation to benefit Sharp Hospice, the hospital has announced.  Memorial services are pending.

On her Facebook page, Denise Mendiguchia Millage observed, “Heaven now has another angel! Michele's legacy will live on in all she did at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, in all she touched throughout the years and especially in her children.”

On her Linked-In page, Tarbet, a registered nurse, expressed her own philosophy toward patient care.  "When we live The Sharp Experience, we treat everyone the way we would want our loved ones treated."

Tarbet received her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Virginia and an MS in health care administration from the University of LaVerne.

She has served as the hospital’s senior vice president and chief executive officer since 1996.

Under her leadership, in 2011 the hospital was redesignated with Nursing Magnet Recognition, the highest nursing honor, by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In addition, as part of Sharp HealthCare, Sharp Grossmont shares in the honor of being selected as a 2007 Malcolm Baldrige Award recipient, the highest presidential honor for quality and organizational excellence in the United States. Sharp Grossmont Hospital become a designated STEMI Center and a Joint Commission Stroke Center of Excellence. Tarbet was also the driving force behind the purchase of two hospice houses to serve the terminally ill. 

She was instrumental in the formation of a capital campaign to build a new five-story Emergency and Critical Care Center and helped raised funds for additional projects, including a Heart and Vascular Center, new Central Energy Plant and renovation of a 164-bed patient care tower. Prop G, which she backed, was one of the most successful bond initiatives in California, yielding a 78 percent approval.

Tarbet served as chair of the Boys and Girls Club of East County and the East County Chamber of Commerce. She has also served as a member of the La Mesa Rotary Club and the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation Board.

In 1999, she was awarded the YMCA Tribute to Women and Industry “TWIN” Award. She was also honored as the 2001 recipient of the Council on Community Clinic’s “Hero” Award and the 2004 East County Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Leadership Award.

East County News Service

November 24, 2014 (El Cajon ) – Homicide detectives are investigating the death of Linda Sue Irwin, 53. 

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from Sharp Grossmont Hospital at 7:37 p.m. on November 19 to investigate an alleged assault on Ms. Irwin believed to have occurred in the El Cajon area between November 17^th and 19^th. Shortly after deputies arrived, the victim was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where she died this morning.

According to Lieutenant John Maryon, the victim had visible signs of injury, though it is not yet known if those injuries contributed to her death. Due to the injuries, the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail is handling the investigation.  The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

November 26, 2014 (La Mesa)--Sharp Grossmont Hospital announces that Louise White, RN, BSN, MHA has been named Chief Nursing Officer of the 540-bed acute care hospital.  She has also been named Vice President of Patient Care Services and will be responsible for the Clinical Nursing Departments.

White comes to Sharp Grossmont Hospital from Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) where she oversaw patient care services at the 378-bed hospital.  She was instrumental in orchestrating and completing the successful opening of CHOC’s 250,000-square-foot medical center.  She has also served as CNO and Vice President at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage and worked at Memorial Health Care System, Long Beach as the Vice President of Cardiovascular Services.

White has more than 25 years as a health care executive with 12 years of experience in the CNO role and has lead teams to achieve Magnet re-designation and Beacon Award recognition for PICU as well as Stroke, STEMI, and Orthopedic accreditation.  

She received her nursing education from North Lothian College of Nursing and Midwifery in Edinburgh, Scotland and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration.

White has been married for 30 years and has a son and two grandchildren, she has a passion for hiking and is an avid bird watcher.  

November 26, 2014 (La Mesa)-Sharp Grossmont Hospital is pleased to announce that Daniel Kindron has been named Chief Financial Officer of its 536-bed acute care hospital.  Kindron has been with Sharp Grossmont Hospital since 2006. During his time at Sharp he has fulfilled interim CFO duties and served as Finance Director, Manager, Supervisor, and Senior Financial Analyst.

As CFO, Kindron’s duties include overseeing the hospital, hospice care, home infusion, centralized pharmacy, outpatient surgery and imaging centers, behavioral health, women’s center and rehabilitation.  Annual net revenues total $634 million. 

Kindron brings nearly 17 years of financial experience to his new role at the hospital.  Before coming to Sharp Grossmont Hospital, he worked for Scripps Health (finance), Mack/Barclay, Inc. (forensic accounting), and Gateway Partners, Inc. (mergers & acquisitions).  He graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, Finance.

Kindron holds an Active Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. He was named a Sharp Grossmont Hospital Leader of the Month in 2012.  He is also a current member of the Health Financial Management Association (HFMA).

The La Mesa resident is a husband and father of two girls.  He was a competitive swimmer and an Olympic trial qualifier.

January 18, 2015 (La Mesa)--Sharp Grossmont Hospital has announced that Scott Evans, Pharm.D, MHA, has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the 540-bed acute care hospital in East San Diego County.

Evans leaves the CEO positions he held at Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital. In addition to these leadership positions, he has held various roles at USC over the past 16 years, including Chief Operating Officer (2007-2012) and Director of Pharmacy (2004-2007). Combined, the two hospitals have a total of 471 beds, 3,000 employees, 1,000 physicians and an annual net revenue of $800 million.  

While at Keck USC and Norris Cancer Hospitals, Evans grew top line revenue by more than 50 percent over five years, led multiple construction projects and opened four major ambulatory centers. He also revitalized and re-engaged the employee workforce through an organization-wide cultural redesign, and initiated a department-specific and balanced scorecard that measured quality and financial performance, and achieved an “A” safety rating from The Leapfrog Group

Evans received his Master’s in Health Administration from USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy and is currently working towards his Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership degree at Pepperdine University.

“Scott’s proven leadership capabilities, belief in Sharp HealthCare’s seven Pillars of Excellence and The Sharp Experience, and commitment to community service make him an ideal CEO for Sharp Grossmont Hospital,” said Dan Gross, Executive Vice President, Hospital Operations, Sharp HealthCare.

Evans succeeds the late Michele Tarbet, who passed away after a short illness in July 2014. Tarbet had served as the hospital’s CEO since 1996.

Evans assumes his new post on February 16, 2015.

Reprinted with permission from www.ReportingSanDiego.com

By Nadin Abbott

Feb. 6, 2015 (La Mesa) Earlier in the day a patient came to Grossmont Hospital with what looked like measles. According to the twitter page the Emergency Room at 5555 Grossmont Center Drive was closed.

The ER is now open, and the patient has been put in isolation, this is per the hospital twitter feed.

Sharp HealthCare @sharphealthcare · 3 hrs hours ago

UPDATE: Sharp Grossmont’s emergency room is open and taking patients. The suspected case of measles has been quarantined. More info to come.

Measles is a highly contagious disease, that can start with what looks like a regular upper respiratory infection, with high fever, and will develop a characteristic skin rash within four days.

This is contagious and can spread to unvaccinated people even before symptoms present. According to the World Health Organization

Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease. Complications are more common in children under the age of 5, or adults over the age of 20. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhea and related dehydration, ear infections that can cause deafness, or severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia. Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases.

It can be prevented with a vaccine. There are no antivirals to treat the disease, and only supportive care is used.

Health authorities recommend that if you suspect measles, to stay home, and call your medical provider or the San Diego Department of Public health at (866) 358-2966

May 20, 2015 (La Mesa) --   The American Flag will be flown proudly at the 18th annual La Mesa Flag Day Parade on Saturday, May 30th. The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. led by the United States 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Band through the downtown La Mesa Village.  Enjoy this year’s Grand Marshal: Sharp Grossmont Hospital Celebrating 60 years in La Mesa. View the many floats, military vehicles, active and retired war heroes, equestrian units, service clubs, and youth groups.  Arrive early to see two pre-parade concerts, La Mesa Middle School and Parkway Middle School bands, at 9:00 a.m. along the La Mesa Boulevard parade route.

After the parade, join the La Mesa’s Human Relations Commission for FREE ice cream at La Mesa Boulevard and 4th Street, north side.  La Mesa welcomes all County residents and their families to share in this free and fun event!

In addition to donations from community members, the La Mesa Flag Day Parade is sponsored by AMR, Barona Resort and Casino, EDCO Disposal Corporation,

La Mesa Community Welfare Association, Rainbow Investment Company, The Cushman Families, South Baltimore, LLC and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Indians.

For more information contact the parade committee at FlagDayHelp@ci.la-mesa.ca.us or visit the City website at www.cityoflamesa.com/FamilyFun.

June 30, 2015 (La Mesa)--Sharp Grossmont was honored with a 2015 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s best hospitals for cancer care. Sharp Grossmont is just one of 331 hospitals to have earned the award by meeting the highest cancer care accreditation standards of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and other robust criteria that consider female patient satisfaction.

“It is rewarding to be recognized for providing exceptional service to women battling cancer,” said Anthony D’Amico, Vice President of Clinical Services. “Every cancer journey is unique, and our caregivers and staff have a deep commitment to excellence and work to provide compassionate support and care for all of our patients.”

Thousands of cancer patients place their trust in Sharp Grossmont for cancer treatment every year. With advanced diagnostics, treatment technologies, and clinical research, caregivers partner with all cancer patients, and their families, to support and develop the best treatment plan for the best outcome.

“Women have many choices when it comes to cancer care, but now they can make informed choices based on rigorous evidence based criteria. With this award designation, Sharp Grossmont joins a network of hospitals committed to a global mission to empower women to make smart healthcare choices. It’s a validation to women that they are selecting the best hospital for their own care and that of their family,” said Sharyn S. Lee, RN, MS, FACEHP, President of the Women’s Choice Award Healthcare Division.

Additional award criteria includes excellence in clinical performance with regard to patient safety measures; high ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and high ratings on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey, which sets national standards for critical aspects of the hospital experience from a patient’s perspective. According to research by The Women’s Choice Award®, these are all measures significant to women in choosing a hospital.

The Women’s Choice Award® sets the standard for helping women make smarter choices through education, empowerment, and validation. Awards are determined by evidence-based research and identify the brands, products and services most recommended and trusted by women. Visit www.WomensChoiceAward.com to learn more.

Sharp Grossmont Hospital has been serving the East County community for 60 years. It is the largest not-for-profit, full-service acute care hospital in San Diego’s East County and is part of Sharp HealthCare, which received the 2007 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for quality and organizational performance excellence. The hospital is known for its clinical excellence in emergency and critical care; cardiac and cancer care; surgery; stroke care; orthopedics; rehabilitation; behavioral health; women’s and children’s health; and hospice care. The hospital offers extensive outpatient services and prevention programs such as home infusion, sleep disorder care, wound care and hyperbaric medicine to support Sharp HealthCare’s emphasis on community health and wellness. Sharp Grossmont is a Magnet-designated hospital and committed to providing the highest quality care. To learn more, visit www.sharp.com/grossmont.

East County News Service

July 19, 2015 (La Mesa)—Hospitals must release their rates of readmission and serioscomplications, due to a new Medicare requirement in the Affordable Care Act—and pay penalties for poor results.  That’s producing positive results, pushing hospitals  to work to improve those numbers and patient wellbeing.

For example, a study by BetterDoctors.com found that from mid-2010 to mid-2013, Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa ranked fourth worst in the nation for readmissions and complications. The good news is that since then, Grossmont's numbers have improved dramatically, according to Better Doctors and Grossmont, and penalty fees have dropped sharply as a result. Th hospital has also won several awards and honors for its patient care.

Andrea D’Eramo, analyst at Better Doctors, says Grossmont scored worse than the national average back in the mid-2010 to mid-2013 timeframe in several categories:

• Heart Failure 30-Day Mortality Rate
• Pneumonia 30-Day Mortality Rate
• Accidental cuts and tears from medical treatment
• Collapsed lung due to medical treatment
• Serious complications
• Rate of readmission after discharge from hospital

As for severe violations, the hospital had one in 2008 and another in 2010, but none since then, D’Eramo told East County Magazine. Those  violations were operating on the wrong side of a 93-year old patient’s brain, and the other for failing to appropriately transition a 45-year old patient from a ventilator to a respiratory therapist and nursing staff.. 

D’Eramo notes that many hospitals have been subject to administrative penalties including other hospitals in San Diego County.  Fortunately, she says, “We see that Grossmont Hospital is moving swiftly in the right direction,” citing fines that have fallen from .36% in fiscal year 2013 to just .04% for 2015—or nearly a 90% drop. 

“This decreasing trend illustrates the hospital is working toward lowering readmissions and is achieving better numbers, even if they are not caught up to national averages yet,” D’Eramo told East County Magazine.

John Cihomsky, vice president of PR and Communications for Sharp HealthCare, which operates Grossmont Hospital advised East County Magazine that he is pleased to learn from Sharp’s Clinical Effectiveness Department that the hospitals care teams have been working hard over the past several years. As a result, he says, Grossmont “will no longer be listed as `worse’ in any of the six categories” that BetterDoctor reported on in its analysis. The new data will cover through June 2014, he added.

Cihomsky also notes that the hospital has attained many positive outcomes not listed in the BetterDoctors report. For instances, he says, “the data excluded any analysis of our Hospital Acquired Infection results. Sharp Grossmont scored better than the national rate in four of six categories.” Those categories included antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus bloodstream infections, intestinal infections, central-line bloodstream infections,  and catheter-associated urinary tract infections.  In the other two categories, surgical site infections from hysterectomies and colon operations, the hospital was on par with the U.S. benchmark. 

He added , “Sharp Grossmont is proud of the efforts being made in quality improvement across the campus.” Those efforts are reflected in the hospital’s David and donna Long Center for Cancer Treatment being honored with the 2015 Women’s Choice Award as one of the nation’s best hospitals for cancer care. The hospital was also recently re-accredited by the commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation FAciliteis and in April, was approved for the Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll by the American Heart Association and American Stroke  Association.

There can be many reasons for hospitals to have higher than average readmission rates and complications.  Kaiser Family Foundation did a study which found hospitals with relatively higher shares of low-income patients, as well as teaching hospitals, tend to incur penalties, for example. Other potential factors can include a high rate of elderly patients, patients who don’t speak English, undocumented, uninsured or rural patients who may delay seeking emergency treatment.

64-year-old Casa de Oro woman undergoes aortic endograft procedure for complex abdominal aortic aneurysms

Story provided by Sharp Healthcare

September 26, 2015 (Casa de Oro)--You could say Lura Kienzle is a bit of a Disney fanatic.The 64-year-old gleefully boasts that she and her “Mousekapals,” a tight-knit group of six friends from San Diego, visit the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim about once a month.

But that monthly trek had to be put on the back burner last September when Kienzle started to not feel well.

The Casa de Oro resident says she began to find herself out of breath while walking up hills she hadn’t had problems with in the past. Not long after, she began to lose her appetite. She lost 35 pounds in just two months, which is a considerable amount, especially for her 4’8” frame.

“It was really weird, I didn’t have any energy, and I didn’t want to see anyone,” she recalls. “I went to the doctor and had an upper gastrointestinal exam and a colonoscopy and everything was totally fine.”

But things weren’t fine. And she knew deep down inside something was wrong.

She began having intense back pain. So bad, in fact, she frequently cried and was bedridden for the next two months.

On November 19^th, her doctor set her up for a CT scan.  It was there, technicians discovered she had a large aneurysm pressing up against her spine.

“That same afternoon I got a phone call from the doctor’s office saying ‘you need to get to the emergency room right now!’” Kienzle says.

Once she learned more about the aneurysm – including its location and size - she knew it was serious.  Her father had an aneurysm against his spine years earlier – the same size, on the same side, in precisely the same place.

In the Emergency Department, she met Scott Musicant, MD, a vascular surgeon affiliated with Sharp Grossmont Hospital. He told Lura about new technology using a fenestrated aortic endograft.

Placement of a fenestrated aortic endograft is a minimally-invasive procedure for patients who have complex thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms adjacent to the arteries leading to the kidneys. Until now, this type of aneurysm repair required major surgery and lengthy hospital stays. With specially designed fenestrated endografts, surgery is performed through a small incision in the groin using a custom manufactured graft that is created using 3D technology. Fewer complications are reported with a noted quicker recovery time.

"Lura had a very dangerous problem in that her 8-centimeter aneurysm had ruptured and was contained by wrapping itself around her spine,” said Dr. Musicant. “We were able to design and build a stentgraft that was specific to her anatomy and which successfully sealed off her ruptured aorta."

Dr. Musicant is one of fewer than three dozen surgeons in the United States who has been trained to perform this type of procedure. He is the only physician currently certified to perform these procedures in San Diego County.

A few days later, Kienzle underwent the 5 ½ hour procedure.

“I was honestly scared to death,” she says. “But I had faith in Dr. Musicant.”

By early December, Lura began physical therapy to begin to work on her strength and regain muscle tone. She says she is putting on weight, feeling better and growing stronger with each day.

Best of all, she’s now able to walk around Disneyland with her Mousekapals for the first time in months. To date, since this groundbreaking surgery, she has been to Disneyland half a dozen times -- something she thought she may never have the strength to do again.

“I’m so grateful for Dr. Musicant and his knowledge of fenestrated grafts.  He truly gave me a second chance at life.”

24 private postpartum birthing suites feature spa-like look and feel

December 8, 2015 (La Mesa)-- Sharp Grossmont Hospital has unveiled a new, fresh lower level of the Women’s Health Center, where moms and newborns are now enjoying 24 completely remodeled, private postpartum delivery suites. The upgrades are the first phase of an overall renovation of the center, which is expected to be completed in 2017 to accommodate the families of the approximately 4,000 babies born at the hospital each year.

“Birth is a celebration of life for the entire family,” said Lily Pisegna, Director, Women’s and Infant Services. “At Grossmont, we embrace a family-centered approach to caring for mothers and newborns, and we encourage family members to participate in the experience.”

The rooms are spacious for families and designed in a way that feels more like home than a hospital. Pisegna added that nature is a focal point as well as the use of soothing colors and artwork. “It’s very relaxing, almost spa-like, which will greatly enhance the patient experience.”

The remodeled suites include flat-screen televisions, new stylish bathrooms, nature inspired artwork, wood planking on the floors and other amenities. Families will also find new furniture, including reclining sleeping chairs for significant others and custom wardrobes.  Each room also offers controlled lighting, solar shades, black-out blinds and private bathrooms with vanity mirrors.

Sharp Grossmont is adopting the Planetree model, which is a commitment to enhance health care from a patient’s perspective. The rooms were designed with this model in mind, which encourages healing in all dimensions -- mental, emotional, spiritual, social and physical -- and integrates medical therapies and access to arts and nature to improve outcomes.

The first phase of construction cost $ 2.2 million and began in the summer 2014. Jeanine Pyka, Manager, OB/GYN and Lactation, stated that guest satisfaction guided the design direction. “What guests see, touch, use and perceive as pleasing influences the birthing experience and the recovery process,” said Pyka.

The design was a collaborative team effort between Sharp Grossmont and Lena Brion of Brion Design, Inc. Brion created the initial design, which the team enhanced throughout construction.

“The rooms are designed for more than just visual appeal. We considered how the patient would use the space, what would make them more comfortable, what would be more convenient and visually attractive. We carved the space creating smooth transitions with the patient in mind,” said Brion. “Once that was achieved, we focused on detailing and shaping the design to continue to enhance a deeper level of the human response, much like a hand fitting in a glove.”

The next phase will focus on remodeling the labor and delivery rooms. The approximate completion date is 2017.  

Sharp Grossmont Hospital has been serving the East County community for 60 years. It is the largest not-for-profit, full-service acute care hospital in San Diego’s East County and is part of Sharp HealthCare, which received the 2007 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for quality and organizational performance excellence. To learn more, visit www.sharp.com/grossmont, call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277) or follow us Facebook.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Pixabay stock image

May 7, 2016 (La Mesa) – When drugs began disappearing off anesthesia carts in the Women’s Health Center at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, the hospital installed hidden video cameras to catch the purported thief, an anesthesiologist, the surveillance revealed.  But the videos, shot over a year from mid-July 2012 to July 2013, also included images of women undergoing surgery. 

A KPBS iNewsSource investigation reported that some experts raised concerns over medical privacy, suggesting the hospital may have violated the law.  The hospital defends its action and contends that no privacy rights were violated. 

A dozen videos reportedly showed Dr. Adam Dorin removing the anesthetic propofol off the carts and putting them in his pocket.  He initially denied taking the drugs but later clarified that he meant he hadn’t taken them out of the hospital. His attorney has asked to review all the 6,966 videos and claims they would show Dorin giving some of the drugs to patients or replacing them on the cart.  He also claims the drug was in short supply and that other anesthesiologists routinely stashed some to be sure they had enough propofol for use in a patient emergency.

But according to the KPBS report, documents filed by Sharp with the California Medical Board by Sharp’s attorney state that some of the videos reveal “female patients in their most vulnerable state, under anesthesia, exposed, and undergoing medical procedures.”

Duane Admire, Dorin’s lawyer, does not want public release of the videos but does want the right to review them in hopes of proving his client innocent.  He contends the videos violated rights of patients and others under the U.S. and California constitutions. Admire states, “…if you ever have a reasonable expectation of privacy, it’s when you’re with our doctor, and exposed.”

John Cihomsky, Vice President of PR and communications for Sharp Healthcare, responded to an inquiry from East County Magazine.  He states that “at no time was patient privacy ever compromised in this matter. Sharp Grossmont Hospital diligently safeguards the protected health information of all its patients, whether it’s electronic medical records, X-rays and other images, or in this instance, video.”

According to Cihomsky, video was automatically recorded only when medical personnel stepped in front of the anesthesia cart. Recording ceased when the individual stepped away from the cart.

He adds, “Access to the video footage was strictly limited to Sharp investigators, and the only footage sent outside of Sharp to the California Medical Board were clips that showed the medication being removed from the anesthesia cart by the doctor. It was discovered that those incidents actually occurred in the operating room when procedures were not taking place and the room was otherwise empty. All other footage that may have captured images of patients in the background has been retained in a secure environment and following conclusion of this case, all video footage will be destroyed.”

Cihomsky provided a link to an article published in the Incidental Economist which suggests media sensationalized the story.  He notes that the hospital “had a potential disaster on its hands” when it feared that medical personnel were stealing and abusing anesthesia drugs, which could threaten patient safety.  He praised Grossmont for “acting decisively to identify a physician who was stealing those drugs and swiftly reported him to the California licensing board.”

The article’s author contends that “women who were filmed couldn’t possibly have expected that hospital employees wouldn’t watch their surgeries” adding that videos were not released outside the hospital so “the threat to privacy is entirely notional.” But the author concedes, “Unless the physician’s lawyer gets his way, of course. He wants to watch each and every one of them.” He further speculates negative media could lead some hospitals to avoid taking videos or sharing information, even if doing so is legal.

But some experts disagree.  Kimberly New, a Tennessee attorney specializing in halting drug theft in healthcare facilities, told KPBS, “There are video voyeurism laws that prohibit such filming without consent.” In addition, Medicare prohibits filming without explicit patient consent.  She added that she believes boilerplate hospital consent forms would not be adequate. 

 Julianne D’Angelo Fellmeth, an attorney specializing in physician licensing and discipline and administrative director for San Diego’s Center for Public Interest Law, told iNewssource, "The hospital compromised;patient privacy." But, she said, there are colliding interests at stake."“You’re trying to go after the diversion of powerful and highly addictive narcotics from a hospital, which are only supposed to be used in an operating room and not any place else."

Dorin has claimed he was being retaliated against for being a whistleblower to the San Diego Union-Tribune back in 2008 over a medical error that led to a death and litigation.  Dorin sued the state Medical Board in2014 but his case was later dismissed. 

Dorin resigned from Sharp Grossmont in October 2013 and has since resumed practice at Palmdale Regional Medical Center while awaiting the outcome of a hearing in October before an administrative law judge that could result in loss of his license to practice medicine. The hospital subsequently filed its complaint with the state Medical Board alleging that he was stealing drugs in 2015.

Read more on the inews investigation, including interviews with additional medical ethics experts here

Correction: An earlier version stated that the hospital filed its complaint prior to Dorin's resignation, when in fact it was after.

Update May 13, 2016:  A court has denied a request from Dr. Dorin's attorney to view thousands of video clips, ECM has learned. Sharp spokesman John Cihomsky informed us today , "...The judge agreed with Sharp that releasing the footage would violate patient privacy, so we will not be releasing the footage to the attorney."

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

May 12, 2016 (La Mesa) – Sharp Healthcare has issued a revised statement regarding an investigation that used hidden videos to catch a doctor now accused of stealing narcotic drugs off an anesthesia cart at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.  ECM reported on privacy concerns raised in an  article on May 7^th.  The hospital initially said that videos were only sent to the California Medical Board as evidence in a complaint filed against Dr. Adam Dorin, and that those clips did not include patients. 

But today, John Cihomsky, vice president of public relations for Sharp, sent ECM an updated statement from Sharp. It indicates that 14 clips showing patients were mistakenly provided to Dr. Dorin’s attorney.  In the statement, Sharp admits to and apologizes for breaching those patients’ privacy.

Below is Sharp’s statement in full:

 In connection with recent publicity about a complaint by the California Medical Board against Dr. Adam Dorin related to events that occurred at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in 2012-2013, it recently came to our attention that Sharp, in response to Dr. Dorin's attorney's (Mr. Duane Admire) request for evidentiary material, mistakenly provided Mr. Admire with video clips that included patients in the operating room.

This was brought to our attention when we learned that Mr. Admire stated he viewed several clips that included patients within them. At our request, Mr. Admire returned that material to us on Tuesday, May 10. We have confirmed the information we provided to Mr. Admire did have 14 clips that included patients within them. Our intention was to send the attorney only the same video clips that were sent to the California Medical Board in January 2014 that contained no video of patients.

We are in the process of performing a detailed review of the clips and matching them to the surgery schedule to identify the patients that were included in these clips. Once we have identified the patients we will notify them as soon as possible. This is a top priority that we hope to have completed by early next week. We are very sorry that this error occurred and that the privacy of these patients was breached.

ECM  asked Sharp to provide more information on the nature of the videos, such as whether the patients’ faces or any intimate areas were revealed.Cihomsky replied that "standard operating room protocols were followed for these patients. Depending on the procedure involved that could have included draping a given patient. Again, to protect the privacy of our patients we are not able to provide you with anything more specific."

Being proactive in notifying patients of the privacy breaches is a positive step by the hospital that could result in some patients forgiving the breach or, alternatively, reaching a settlement if they have serious privacy concerns.

The attorney for Dr. Dorin, however, has asked the court for all videos taken in hopes of finding evidence that could exonerate his client, who claims he used some of the drugs taken on patients or returned them to the anesthesia cart.   Dr. Dorin faces potential suspension of his medical license.

Videos were reportedly seen by a male security guard and an attorney

East County News Service

May 30, 2016 (La Mesa) — A class action lawsuit has been filed against Sharp Healthcare alleging that videos taken during surgeries at Sharp Grossmont Surgery violated women’s privacy, including women filmed during childbirth as part of the hospital’s effort to catch a doctor suspected of stealing anesthesia drugs,  Courthouse News reports.

Melissa Escalera, the named plaintiff, alleges that Sharp violated privacy of thousands of women in three operating rooms at the hospital.  Escalera said she was filmed giving birth by Caesarean section to her baby six weeks prematurely, after arriving at the hospital by ambulance, Fox News reported.  “I would have never agreed to be recorded in that vulnerable moment,” she stated.

The suit claims that the videos showed patients unconscious and undergoing medical procedures, ”while they were emotionally and physically exposed, often naked” with genital areas exposed.

According to the complaint, the hospital allowed a male security guard to review the videos. The hospital has admitted to also turning over 14 videos showing patients to Duane Admire, an attorney representing the doctor accused of stealing drugs. 

Sharp has apologized for its error in turning over those videos to the attorney and indicated it was reaching out to those patients whose privacy was admittedly breached, as ECM previously reported.

But Sharp has maintained that it had a right to make the videos and have hospital staff review them, citing language in medical consent forms that allowed for videotaping for purposes including safety.  Some medical ethics experts have disputed that, claiming a separate waiver would be required for videotaping, according to an inewssource investigation that broke the story of the videotaping. 

Sharp has not commented on the lawsuit, per its policy of not commenting on any pending litigation.

Attorney Allison Goddard with Patterson Law Group is representing Escalera. In an interview with Courthouse News he stated,” If they had invited a security guard in his uniform and an attorney in a suit to stand in the room when she was undergoing surgery she obviously wouldn’t consent to that.”

The hospital has turned over some videos to the State Medical Board after reportedly finding evidence on videos that showed Dr. Adam Dorin, an anesthesiologist, taking the drug propofol off an anesthesia cart and putting it into his pocket.  According to Sharp, videos provided to the state did not show patients. Dr. Dorin has insisted he was not stealing drugs – and now other anesthesiologists have come to his defense, inewssource reports. Dr. Dorin was suspended but the very next day the suspension was lifted after evidence from other anesthesiologists emerged.

Dr. Patrick G. Sullivan, former chief of Grossmont’s anesthesia department, wrote an open letter to the public  blasting the hospital for severely violating the public trust with the videotaping.  He defends Dr. Dorin’s actions, stating that the hospital had a year-long shortage of propofol and that at times patients were on the operating table and “there was not enough propofol to put them to sleep.” He said as a result, many anesthesiologists routinely took propofol from one part of the hospital to another to save for use during emergencies.  He further accused Sharp of singling out Dr. Dorin for retribution because Dorin had been a whistleblower who spoke out publicly on safety issues.

Dr. Sullivan’s letter also said that when he and several obstetricians/gynecologists   discovered the hidden video camera in March 2013, “we passionately complained to the Women’s Center Director and implored her to remove the cameras, but she refused.” Doctors then began putting tape over the camera lens to protect their patients’ privacy, after which the camera eventually was taken down.

Dr. Dorin’s attorney has asked to review all of the videos to prove his client’s innocence, but a court has denied that request. 

Dr. Sullivan is calling for the resignation of the Women’s Center Director and wants all 6,966 videos reviewed by Dorin’s attorney or a female third party agreed to by both sides to see if there is evidence to clear Dr. Dorin as well as to determine the extent of privacy violations.  He also calls for state and federal investigations.

The California Department of Public Health is now investigating whether the hospital violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act known as HIPAA.  If so, Sharp could pay hefty penalties up to a max of a quarter of a million dollars.

The costs to Sharp could be far higher, however, if the class action privacy lawsuit on behalf of female patients prevails in court.

East County News Service

July 19, 2016 (La Mesa) – The lights are staying on for patients and medical staff at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa thanks to a new Central Energy Plant (CEP), the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) reports. And, the hospital’s normal electric bill to San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) of about $180,000 per month is now zero.

“The hospital’s CEP is now fully operational and the hospital is officially off the electrical grid,” said Robert “Bob” Ayres, GHD 2016 board president. “Taxpayers can be assured that their publicly-owned hospital is equipped to handle future energy capacity needs with on-site electric power generation at the lowest possible cost. For decades into the future, the new CEP will save millions of dollars in energy costs, plus reduce the hospital’s emission of greenhouse gas pollutants by 90 percent. Even in the event of an outage or other emergency, the hospital will continue to operate as needed.”

Construction of the $47 million new plant was financed through Proposition G, a bond measure sponsored by GHD and approved by East County voters in June 2006.

The three-story, 18,400-square-foot building, visible from the State Route 125 freeway on the southwest side of the hospital campus, also houses a new $18 million cogeneration system paid for by Sharp Grossmont Hospital as part of the continuing partnership with GHD. The cogeneration system utilizes a combustion turbine generator (CTG), similar in function to a spinning engine on a passenger jetliner.

In addition to electrical power, the 52-ton CTG produces heat that is converted to steam used to operate medical equipment, space heating and air conditioning, plus it provides hot and cold water to the hospital.

Powered by natural gas, the CTG, built by Solar Turbines of San Diego, has a capacity to produce up to 4.4 megawatts of electricity, which is more than the hospital’s current need of about 3.2 megawatts, officials said. GHD said the new facility was designed to allow for future growth and expansion of the hospital

Also inside the plant are boilers, chillers, cooling towers and auxiliary systems. It has a state-of-the-art control room that monitors the heating and refrigeration equipment, medical air and vacuum pumps.

Officials said the hospital typically consumes about 2.3 million kilowatt hours per month. In comparison, SDG&E says the average household uses about 500 kilowatt hours in a 30-day period.

“We have the capacity to sell surplus electricity back to the utility company,” said Michael Emerson, GHD board member and chair of the GHD Proposition G Committee. “We’re pleased that the new cogen system has replaced two smaller existing combustion turbine generators that were installed back in 1984.”

The CEP building was constructed with 131 tons of reinforced steel rods or bars surrounded by 4.23 million pounds of concrete with a 106-by-70-foot concrete foundation slab that is four feet thick. It took 120 concrete trucks delivering more than 1,120 cubic yards of concrete to lay the foundation. McCarthy Building Co. was the general contractor for the building’s construction, including site construction work, excavation and shoring.

Testing of equipment, which began last year, was a complex process involving checking the integration of a multitude of moving parts, officials said. Also last year, permits for the new equipment were issued by the California Air Pollution Control District.

GHD said the new CEP complies with state and local standards for air emissions. “Even though the on-site power being generated is now more than double the power generated by the old CTG, the emissions of nitrogen oxides, which cause ground-level smog, have been reduced by 90 percent,” said Barry Jantz, CEO, Grossmont Healthcare District. “We are emitting less than half of the allowable emissions, which makes us one of the five least polluting plants recently constructed in the state.”

GHD is the public agency that serves as landlord of the hospital’s buildings and property on behalf of East County taxpayers. The hospital is managed and operated by Sharp HealthCare under a lease agreement between GHD and Sharp HealthCare.

Taxpayer-funded construction is continuing at the publicly-owned, 524-bed hospital which opened in 1955. Other Proposition G construction projects, as included in the 2006 ballot measure, includes ongoing construction of a 71,000-square-foot Heart and Vascular (H&V) Center, scheduled for completion in 2017, and the recently completed renovation of floors two through five of the seven-story East Tower building, originally constructed in 1974. In 2009, the top three floors of the Emergency and Critical Care Center opened with 90 new patient beds, including 24 intensive care beds on one floor and 66 medical/surgical beds on two other floors.

For more information about GHD, visit www.grossmonthealthcare.org.

Source: Sharp Grossmont Hospital

Photo: Dave Grundstrom, chairman of the Sharp Grossmont Hospital board, and Michael Emerson, vice president of the Grossmont Healthcare District board, join donors Mary Alice Brady and Ron Brady for the official launch of the hospital's central energy plant.

January 4, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Sharp Grossmont Hospital and the Grossmont Healthcare District officially celebrated the completion of the hospital's new central energy plant (CEP) in December.  The facility now supplies the hospital with its own generated energy, taking Sharp Grossmont completely off the electrical grid.

Elected officials visited the hospital recently to officially flip a giant symbolic switch, to commemorate the achievement. The three-story, on-site plant will save millions of dollars in energy costs, and is expected to reduce the hospital's emissions of greenhouse gas pollutants by 90 percent. Funding for the project came from the taxpayer-approved Proposition G — a 2006 ballot measure — and philanthropic support.

The plant also houses a new $18 million cogeneration system, paid for by Sharp Grossmont Hospital. In the event of a major outage or other emergency, the hospital will be able to continue caring for its patients and operating as needed. Signage on the building reads "Brady Family CoGen," in honor of a major donation from East County residents Ron and Mary Alice Brady.

"I'm very proud of the efforts by the Grossmont Healthcare District and Sharp Grossmont Hospital," says San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, whose district includes East County. "The CEP is emitting less than half of the allowable emissions, which makes it one of the five least-polluting plants recently constructed in the state of California."

The cogeneration system uses a combustion turbine generator (CTG) — similar in function to a spinning engine on a passenger jetliner. Powered by natural gas, the CTG has the capacity to produce up to 4.4 megawatts of electricity. Though this is more power than the hospital currently needs, the new facility was designed to allow for future growth and expansion, which includes ongoing construction of a 71,000-square-foot Heart and Vascular Center.