Chief Medical Officer Sabrina Kidd, MD, reported to the board at the July meeting that the hospital is well-prepared to respond if the community sees an increase in Covid-19 cases, including having ample supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) on hand. She said that currently all hospital services are open and encourages those who have delayed seeking medical care because of the coronavirus to talk with their physician.
Dr. Kidd reported that the hospital continues to maintain strict protocols to ensure the safety of patients who visit the hospital. This includes a quick health screening and temperature check for all visitors, requiring masks for all staff and visitors (and providing them if you do not have one), maintaining social distancing in waiting areas, and following sanitizing protocols throughout the hospital. The hospital has also reinstituted a no-visitor policy with only those seeking services allowed to enter.
Dr. Kidd also reported that the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center will continue to offer drive-through Covid-19 testing in the hospital’s parking lot at 4th St. and Arroyo Way through the end of July. Testing is available to all who live and work in Sonoma Valley each Tuesday and Wednesday during July from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. More information is available on the Community Health Center website: svchc.org.
She encourages all community members to wear a mask and continue to practice social distancing.
Skilled Nursing Facility Update
The board had a very positive report from Mike Empey, administrator of the skilled nursing facility located in the hospital. A year after the Ensign Group assumed management of the facility, now called Valley of the Moon Post Acute, it’s clear that the SNF continues to provide our community with excellent care.
Empey noted the SNF has seen high levels of use over much of the past year, and is meeting the highest performance and safety standards in most of the 12 measures used to evaluate SNF quality of care. He noted that 95 percent of patients report they are highly satisfied with the care received at the facility.
Primary Care Expansion
CEO Kelly Mather reported that the hospital’s expansion of primary care providers is being well-received by the community. Robert Gleser, MD, who recently joined the MarinHealth Primary Care Medical Group in Sonoma, is seeing many new patients, as are the two new mid-level providers who have joined hospital clinics in Sonoma.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular District Board meeting will be held on Thursday, August 6, at 6 pm. Complying with state regulations on physical distancing due to the coronavirus, board meetings are being conducted by video conferencing and the public is encouraged to participate. Video conferencing details are available on the hospital website. Public comment is always welcome.
Sincerely,
Jane
Jane Hirsch
Chair of the SVHCD Board of Directors