Sonoma Valley Hospital
Chief Medical Officer Sabrina Kidd, MD, reported to the board at the June 4
meeting that all hospital services are now open and available with some
modifications, and encourages those who have delayed getting medical care
because of the coronavirus to now consider doing so.
She understands that patients may be hesitant to visit the hospital, but would
like to reassure all that the hospital has adopted many strict protocols to
ensure safety, including meeting all visitors with a quick health screening
and temperature check, requiring masks for all staff and visitors (and
providing them if you do not have one), and maintaining social distancing in
waiting areas, as well as following sanitizing protocols throughout the
hospital.
In providing an update on the pandemic in the county, Dr. Kidd reported that
Sonoma County continues to report a low incidence of COVID-19 cases, with 593
cases as of June 3, of which most have recovered and 285 remain active. The
county has had four deaths so far. She noted the Valley’s reported number of
cases is among the lowest in the county. She said the main reason for COVID-19
spread, according to health officials, is close contact with others, especially
for those not wearing a mask.
Dr. Kidd also reported that the hospital’s partnership with the Sonoma Valley
Community Health Center for COVID-19 testing is going well and the Health
Center is testing more than 100 residents daily. She said the hospital remains
prepared in the event of a future surge in cases, and has ample supplies of
Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) on hand.
SVH Employees Are Engaged
Lynn McKissock, the hospital’s Chief Human Resources Officer, provided the HR
Department’s annual report, highlighting the results of a recent employee
survey which emphasizes staff welfare, engagement, and growth and retention.
She noted that employee engagement is high, which is important because
engagement positively impacts quality of care and patient satisfaction, in
addition to employee satisfaction.
In the annual survey, in which 75 percent of staff participated, she reported
that employees gave the hospital high marks overall – an overall score of 4.05
on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0.
Notably, McKissock said, there was not a big difference between the highest and
the lowest scoring questions. For the highest scoring questions, most employees
agreed that their team strives to exceed patient expectations, they feel
respected by the person they report to and they, in turn, respect that person.
The lowest scoring questions dealt with employee satisfaction with compensation
and benefits provided, and support from hospital systems and processes.
McKissock also pointed out that the employee turnover rate dropped to 15.5
percent after a spike last year to 19 percent, indicating employees are
adjusting to the changes in services made in 2019.
UCSF Relationship
Progresses
CEO Kelly Mather reported that the hospital’s relationship with UCSF Health
continues to grow and she expects to announce expanded UCSF services at SVH in
the near future. As a result of increased use of telemedicine during the
COVID-19 crisis, UCSF is accelerating its telemedicine program and will provide
more access to specialists in Sonoma, Mather said. UCSF has committed to use
the hospital’s new Outpatient Diagnostic Center as a regional diagnostic
service for its patients when it opens.
Mather reported that Robert Gleser, MD, has joined the MarinHealth Primary Care
Medical Group in Sonoma and is now accepting patients here. She also said that
the hospital has further expanded local primary care with the addition of two
new mid-level providers at hospital clinics.
She said that the hospital continues to celebrate its 75th anniversary this
month. The anniversary celebration was launched with the placement of banners
throughout the Sonoma Plaza last month.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular District Board meeting will be held on
Thursday, July 2, at 6 pm. Due to state regulations on
sheltering in place and physical distancing, the June board meeting
was changed to video conferencing and the July meeting will be held
by video conference if it again becomes necessary. Otherwise, it will be
held as usual in the City Council Chamber Meeting Room, 177 1st St. West in
Sonoma. The public is welcome to attend and public comment is always
encouraged.
Sincerely,
Jane
Jane Hirsch
Chair of the SVHCD Board of Directors
