 March 2025
Director's Desk Christina R. Ghaly, M.D.
This month, I’d like to take a moment to briefly address the challenges that our Department of Health Services is facing as a result of proposed budget cuts at the federal level.
The new federal administration has proposed large cuts to the federal budget that are expected to adversely impact Medicaid, which is the primary revenue stream for LA Health Services. While there is uncertainty about the exact nature, timing and extent of the cuts, they pose serious threats to the sustainability of the services that our patients rely on.
Safeguarding the healthcare and services we provide to our patients and the communities that rely on us is a top priority. As such, we have implemented a curtailment of expenditures as part of our proactive approach to minimize any adverse impact to our existing revenue. This includes limiting hiring, particularly among management positions and those not directly involved in patient care; reducing registry and overtime; deferring capital and maintenance projects and equipment and supply purchases where possible, without adversely impacting patient care or patient/staff safety.
This is a developing situation and while much is still uncertain, we do know that our collective efforts to reduce costs where we can, will put us in a better financial position and help us limit impacts to patient care down the road.
Regardless of what cuts may come our way, I also know that our shared commitment and dedication to those we serve is unmatched. Together we are resilient, and I am incredibly proud of our department, our workforce, and our mission.
In these challenging times, continuing our incredible work is more important than ever. This month we released our 2024 Annual Report capturing the importance of the outstanding healthcare we provide across our system. I encourage you to take a moment to go through it. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspires me to see how complex needs, coupled with creativity and skill, can yield remarkable results. The Annual Report captures just a few of the initiatives and efforts that produce tangible results we can all be proud of. In times of uncertainty, I think this is an important reminder of who we are and why we are here.
This month’s Pulse also includes the following stories:
March is National Kidney Month and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is working toward advancing kidney care in LA County and beyond. Learn more about the excellent work going on in this area below.
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center has implemented a TeleSitter program that helps improve patient safely and over the past seven months, they have steadily increased their utilization of it. This is an efficient way to use technology in new ways. See more below.
The San Fernando Valley Health Center group recently hosted an exciting Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Antiracism (EDIA) event. The event included all staff and included some thought-provoking discussions on EDIA concepts. See below to learn more about this.
Thank you for all you do.
In Honor of National Kidney Month: Recognizing Achievements at LA Health Services Facilities
March is "National Kidney Month," and it is a fitting time to showcase the significant contributions and success stories in kidney health across LA Health Services facilities. Below are some of Nephrology's and Urology’s recent accomplishments that demonstrate our ongoing commitment to advancing kidney care in Los Angeles County and beyond:
The Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (Harbor-UCLA) Kidney Transplant Program under collaborative teamwork of Urology and Nephrology Divisions concluded 2024 with 48 successful kidney transplantations, marking the highest annual volume in years. In February 2025, we celebrated the first living donor kidney transplant of the year, demonstrating continued growth and excellence.
LA Health Services Kidney Health Workgroup pioneered the first department-wide Kidney Transplant eConsult system to streamline equitable referrals for kidney transplant evaluations and wait-listing for all of Los Angeles County. Nephrology centers at LA General Medical Center, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, and Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center have adopted the system, resulting in the identification of more than 500 individuals who are now on the Harbor-UCLA kidney transplant waitlist including 80 for preemptive transplantation. In November 2023, the White House acknowledged the Harbor-UCLA Kidney Transplant Program for its outstanding dedication to serving underserved communities.
In December 2024, the Harbor-UCLA Nephrology Fellowship Training Program matched the highest number of fellows in years. Harbor-UCLA Nephrology fellows have excelled nationally, winning prestigious awards and recognitions, including at the 2024 National Kidney Foundation conference and the Annual Dialysis Conference.
The Nephrology team has actively supported Harbor-UCLA internal medicine residents in conducting community-relevant research addressing disparities in kidney health. One resident secured the highly competitive American Society of Nephrology Loan Mitigation Award, highlighting the mentorship and career development that Harbor-UCLA Nephrology provides.
The Harbor-UCLA Hypertension and Nephrology Clinic launched the first of its kind lifestyle medicine and plant-based diet initiatives as part of an NIH-funded project, demonstrating our commitment to integrating preventive health into clinical practice.
Harbor-UCLA Nephrology set a record for peer-reviewed publications in 2024 and early 2025, including groundbreaking work in population health approaches to kidney care.
The DHS collaborative article, "Advancing Equitable Kidney Care Through Population Health Approaches in Los Angeles County’s Safety Net System," was recently published in the “Clinical Journal of the American Society and Nephrology, CJASN” and is now available as a free-access article featured in the March 2025 issue. This important blueprint paper, co-authored by LA Health Services leaders including Drs. Nina Park, Evan Raff, and Belinda Waltman, among others, as well as nephrology coauthors from all LA Health Services Centers, highlights the LA Health Services' Kidney Health efforts to establish a model of equitable kidney care across Los Angeles County and beyond.
|
Congratulations to Harbor-UCLA’s TeleSitter Department
Over the past seven months, the TeleSitter Department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center has shown unwavering dedication to patient safety, steadily increasing its utilization from 51% to 100%. Previously, the highest rate was 78%, but the 80%-100% rate is a first for the department. TeleSitters provide continuous visual monitoring (CVT) to ensure patient safety. TeleSitters enable the hospital to offer additional support to patients who may require support due to fall risks, confusion and agitation or other factors identified by clinicians.
The department has implemented multiple strategies to improve its utilization rate, all underscored by a strong commitment to communication and patient safety. This includes using additional Nursing Attendant resources, clarifying what the Telemonitor Tech sees and hears through monitoring, fostering a respectful environment with real-time communication, and increasing professionalism through phone etiquette training. The team has reinforced this commitment by daily rounding to assess patients who are eligible for CVT and providing real-time answers to telemonitoring questions.
|
SFVHCG Celebrates Diversity at Special EDIA Kickoff Event
Dr. Giovani Cruz's Profile Picture in Support of Diversity
The San Fernando Valley Health Center Group (SFVHCG) recently hosted an exciting kickoff event for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Antiracism (EDIA), shining a spotlight on the incredible diversity within our workforce. Over 200 staff members gathered in person during our quarterly General Staff Meeting, making this a truly special occasion.
For the first time in years, so many of us were able to connect face-to-face. Since we have outgrown the available conference spaces, we got creative! Staff were divided into groups, using clinic lobbies and waiting areas as meeting spaces, rotating between floors to experience all parts of the program.
Monica Valencia (PAC) Teams Profile Picture in Support of Diversity
With support from LA Health Services' Organizational Development Program and EDIA, facilitators Danielle Gautt, Joshua Rutkoff, and others led an engaging and interactive morning. Attendees explored key EDIA concepts like positionality and participated in a fun “Diversity Bingo” activity that encouraged mingling. One of the most memorable moments was a discussion sparked by a simple but meaningful question: “How do you prepare rice?” This conversation revealed both our unique cultural traditions and the commonalities that bring us together.
To keep the spirit of diversity alive beyond the event, a special photo booth was set up where staff could take Microsoft 365 profile pictures. This way, when we log in for virtual meetings, we continue to see and celebrate the many faces that make up our amazing workforce.
SFVHCG’s EDIA kickoff was more than just a meeting—it was a moment of connection, learning, and celebration. We look forward to building on this momentum as we continue fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace for all!
|
