Colleagues:
Every year at this time we acknowledge the strength, skill, leadership and compassion of nurses during National Nurses Week, and we offer our heartfelt thanks to all the nurses in our lives and our workplaces. Without them, Contra Costa Health (CCH) simply would not function.
To say our nurses have endured challenges these past few years is an understatement. As a fellow nurse, I could not be prouder of how you answer the call, providing the care and service our patients and community members need every day.
Whether you're out in our communities, in our medical center or clinics, in correctional facilities, or somewhere in between, your efforts play a key role in eliminating health disparities and keeping our communities safe.
I send my thanks to our many nursing professionals who provide compassionate care to Contra Costans each day.
On behalf of the leadership team, Contra Costa County, and all the lives you have touched, thank you. Our community is grateful for your care and commitment, and a healthier place for your efforts.
Please watch a short video celebrating our nurses below.
We wish you all a serene and lovely National Nurses Week!
Anna M. Roth RN, MS, MPH
CEO, Contra Costa Health
Planning for a Future with COVID-19
Recently, Contra Costa Health CEO Anna Roth presented CCH's 2023-2024 recommended budget to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.
This budget and outlined goals provide the framework and serve as an important guide to help our organization forward its mission: to care for and improve the health of all people in Contra Costa County with special attention to those who are most vulnerable to health problems.
The 2023 recommended budget prioritizes these key initiatives:
COVID Transition: We recognize COVID is not going away and we're planning for the next stage of our response. CCH is still addressing COVID as part of our standard, nonemergency services. Our transition is focused on equitable access to healthcare, information and resources. The budget also includes $15 million in ARPA funding that will support ongoing access.
California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM): This program is a long-term commitment to transform and strengthen Medi-Cal. It will impact our entire organization and allow us to deliver a broader array of services to address health, behavioral health and social needs.
Single Plan Model (Medi-Cal): Starting Jan. 1, 2024, Contra Costa County will transition from a Medi-Cal two plan model to a single plan model working with those most vulnerable in the community.
A3 Behavioral Health Crisis Response: The A3 program will provide timely and appropriate behavioral health crisis services to anyone, anywhere at anytime. Future goals include decreasing our mobile teams' response time, operating 24/7, and broaden options for places to go.
Housing and Homelessness: CCH will continue to work across the region to ensure our growing homeless populations have the services, support and opportunities needed to secure stable housing and thrive.
Equity: Without equity, there cannot be health. Costa Health is committed to equity not only in its work in the community, but also in the workplace. The Equity Team is currently creating a detailed plan to implement diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals identified in the equity roadmap.
2023 will be a year of sweeping change in health care. However, our uniquely integrated system is positioned to navigate the challenges ahead.
You can watch the full presentation here, starting at 12:37:00.
Soil Sampling Around Martinez Refinery to Test for Contaminants from HazMat Release
A toxicologist hired by Contra Costa Health completed taking soil samples earlier this month as part of the ongoing inquiry into the November 2022 hazardous materials release from Martinez Refining Company (MRC), which spewed up to 24 tons a metal-laden "spent catalyst" over the nearby community during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The toxicologist, TRC, took over a dozen soil samples primarily from locations near the refinery in Martinez and Benicia. A plume-model map created by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which was used to inform the soil sampling, showed spent-catalyst dust from the accident traveled as far away as El Sobrante and other West County communities.
The soil samples have been sent to a lab to test for contaminants associated with the release that could pose long-term health risks. Test results are expected back in late May. Preliminary "wipe samples" of the spent-catalyst dust taken in the days after the release showed elevated levels of metals.
Out of an abundance of caution, the County's health officer issued an advisory in March to refinery neighbors suggesting they not eat produce possibly grown in soil exposed to the spent catalyst until environmental testing could be completed.
The County has also hired another firm to do an independent "root-cause analysis" examining why the accident happened and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future. The soil sampling and independent root-cause analysis is being overseen by an oversight committee that includes seven community residents.
For more information about the MRC hazmat release, visit cchealth.org/hazmat/mrc.
CCH has a new look – where to find branded materials
Templates for letterhead, PowerPoint presentations and online meeting backgrounds, as well as high-quality image files of the new CCH logo, are now available on the Communications home page on iSite.
All programs are encouraged to display the new logo wherever we now display the previous logo, when possible, and update materials that carry the department's branding.
New business cards will soon be available through Contra Costa Public Works' Print & Mail Services, and additional templates and branded products will be added to the iSite page as they become available.
We anticipate a long process – 18-24 months – to fully transition. Plans are in development for some of the most visible changes, such as building signage and the website, and we will keep you updated. We ask that you use up any existing printed materials before ordering new.
In the meantime, we are holding several branding workshops to walk you through best practices for using the new materials. Each workshop will cover the same information. Feel free to add the workshop that works best for your schedule to your calendar.
- Thursday, May 25 at 12:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 6 at 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m.
If your program would like a training and Q-and-A session, please ask your leadership to email publicinfo@cchealth.org to schedule one. CEI staff are also available at this address for detail questions about branding usage.
Program Offers Free Smartphones or Tablets to Eligible Clients
Contra Costa Health is offering free Samsung smartphones or tablets to clients enrolled in County case management programs through the new Access to Technology Program being administered by Public Health.
To be eligible for the devices, case-management clients must be county residents who are either ages 60+, have a qualifying disability or are homeless. The cost of cellular and data service is free for clients through Dec. 31, 2023. The program is being funded by the California Department of Aging.
Contra Costa Health staff can submit a referral through ccLink, our electronic health record, or by filling out this Microsoft form.
For more information, contact Renee Carroll, manager of the Access to Technology Program, at renee.carroll@cchealth.org.
Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Earns "A" Grade for Safety from National Evaluator
Congratulations to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC), which has earned an A grade for hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit evaluator of healthcare services.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade evaluates nearly 3,000 general acute-care hospitals across the U.S. for several dimensions of patient safety including medication safety, complex surgeries for pediatric and adult patients, maternity care, intensive care unit staffing, patient safety practices, managing serious errors and outpatient procedures.
"We are proud and grateful to be recognized by Leapfrog for patient safety because safety is our top concern," said Dr. Samir B Shah, Chief Executive Officer of CCRMC. "Developing, teaching and following best practices improves outcomes, prevents mistakes and improves our patient's experience. Our clinical system emphasizes a culture of safety where every staff member knows the importance of their contribution in risk reduction at CCRMC."
The latest grades show that CCRMC provides its patients with some of the safest, high-quality healthcare in the nation. Read about it here.
Donor Human Milk to be Available for Babies Delivered at CCRMC
Starting May 15, donor human milk will be available for babies delivered at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC) when medically indicated.
Donor human milk may be available for babies born prematurely, when there's a lack of milk supply or other situations when a doctor deems it necessary. Donor milk must be ordered by a physician.
The donated milk is being provided by the Mothers' Milk Bank of San Jose.
For more information, see "Use of Donor Human Milk" policy on iSITE or visit mothersmilk.org.
"Celebrate Life" Event for Cancer Survivors and Their Loved Ones
Anyone who has beaten cancer – or who intends to do so – is welcome to attend the Friday, May 19 "Celebrate Life" event in the redwood grove at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC).
There will be food, music, fun and more at the 3-hour event, which is sponsored by CCRMC's Cancer Program Committee.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Ana Henriquez at 925-370-5478 or email ana.henriquez@cchealth.org.
What: Celebrate Life event for cancer survivors and their families
Where: CCRMC, 2500 Alhambra Ave., Martinez (in the redwood grove at the front of the campus)
When: Friday, May 19 from 3 – 6 p.m.
Contra Costa County Celebrates AANHPI Month
Contra Costa County is honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander month throughout May.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is hosted a cultural celebration featuring dance, music, food and unique customs from some AANHPI cultures.
Learn more about the event and how to watch by visiting the County's website.
New email to reach CCH communications
As part of CCH's ongoing demobilization from pandemic emergency response, the Community Education & Information unit (CEI) is changing its email address for all non-COVID internal communications.
The new address is publicinfo@cchealth.org.
For non-urgent work requests please continue to use the work request form on iSite.
The previous address that many are accustomed to using to reach CEI, doc.pio@cchealth.org, is no longer regularly monitored.
Service Excellence Awards
Service Excellence Awards acknowledge the care, skill and compassion Contra Costa Health employees bring to work each day.
I am excited to recognize the incredible work being done at CCH and acknowledge employees who have gone above and beyond for each other and our communities.
Please join me in celebrating and thanking each person who has been nominated.
