And it’s some survey: DHS will review policies and procedures for all aspects of hospital operation including medical staff, admission and discharge, lab, medical records, staff bylaws, credentialing procedures, organization charts and committee structures and representation.“We are very appreciative of the state’s assistance,” said Supervisor Kathy Long. “These steps will certainly facilitate the survey process.”DHS is allowing the submittal of the documents but will review them as time permits.A good sign for a more rapid reopening of Santa Paula Hospital was the presence at Saturday’s dedication of DHS Regional Director Betty Smith.“We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that, in the big picture, reopening this hospital in this timeframe was a major accomplishment,” noted Powers.“The state’s not used to opening hospitals” and must assemble and dispatch a multi-member team for the inspection, Santa Paula Hospital Administrator Dr. Sam Edwards said before the dedication. “We’re almost there, we’re very, very close...”
Santa Paula Hospital awaits final inspection
June 30, 2006
Santa Paula News
The red ribbon was cut - and some bureaucratic red tape - and the celebratory cake eaten: so just when is Santa Paula Hospital, dedicated Saturday, actually going to reopen?
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe red ribbon was cut - and some bureaucratic red tape - and the celebratory cake eaten: so just when is Santa Paula Hospital, dedicated Saturday, actually going to reopen?Soon, according to Santa Paula Hospital Director of Nursing Cyndie Cole who noted that Ventura County and State Department of Health Services officials are working towards the “common goal of reopening SPH as soon as possible...”At Saturday’s dedication Ventura County Health Care Agency Director Michael Powers noted that when you consider the scope of the project to reopen the Hospital on the Hill, “It could have been two years but it was 10 months,” to assess and complete renovations, inspections and licensing reviews leading up to the final approvals.At a June 19 press conference, Mayor Rick Cook called upon Gov. Schwarzenegger to speed up the Department of Health Services (DHS) for the final inspection prior to opening the doors of the hospital - shuttered in December 2003 and later acquired by the county - as soon as possible.The on-site survey of the Hospital on the Hill was scheduled for mid-July but now has been moved up to Monday, July 3.Powers said that last week DHS has “agreed to allow us to present to them certain operational documents required for the survey to expedite review prior to the on-site survey.”
