Report 2013-116 Recommendation 10 Responses
Report 2013-116: Los Angeles County: Lacking a Comprehensive Assessment of Its Trauma System, It Cannot Demonstrate That It Has Used Measure B Funds to Address the Most Pressing Trauma Needs (Release Date: February 2014)
Recommendation #10 To: Los Angeles County
Los Angeles should undertake formal discussions with Pomona's management regarding the hospital becoming a trauma center. In doing so, Los Angeles should analyze its current Measure B allocations to determine whether financial opportunities exist that would meet the needs of Pomona and present the resulting analysis to Pomona. Further, it should document its efforts and the resulting outcome so that both voters and taxpayers are aware of the diligence Los Angeles has undertaken in fulfilling the spirit of Measure B.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From September 2015
As a result of a competitive selection process, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) was determined to be the most responsive bidder. Based on this determination, a pre-trauma center designation services agreement was entered by and between the County of Los Angeles and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center on August 1, 2015. This agreement outlines the requirements that must be implemented in order for PVHMC to meet the American College of Surgeons trauma verification standards. The agreement also provides $4.4 million in Measure B funding to PVHMC to cover the cost of personnel that are essential to establishing a trauma services as well as funding for specialized trauma equipment for the emergency department, operating room and intensive care unit.
- Completion Date: August 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented
1-Year Agency Response
LA County Dept. of Health Services (DHS) is in the final stages of reviewing and selecting the applications received from the two hospitals that responded to the Request for Application (RFA) for Trauma Services. The RFA process was concluded in mid-February, and negotiations will be conducted with the qualified applicant and Board approval will be required to move to the next step of designation as a trauma center. Upon the Board's approval to designate the most qualified hospital in the San Gabriel Valley as a Trauma Center, DHS will implement the designation process. This process is estimated to take between 15-18 months and will be implemented to ensure that the hospital complies with all the California Code of Regulations building requirements and has all the necessary processes, staffing and equipment to provide optimum trauma care as set by the American College of Surgeons.
- Estimated Completion Date: June 2015
- Response Date: February 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented
6-Month Agency Response
At the request of two hospitals in the East San Gabriel Valley, the Request for Information (RFI) due date was extended from April 16, 2014 to the end of May 2014. By May 30, 2014, DHS received responses from Citrus Valley Medical Center-Queen of the Valley Campus and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center indicating interest in becoming a designated trauma center. DHS determined a competitive solicitation was necessary to elicit sufficient information from the RFI respondents to formally evaluate responses and select one entity to negotiate a contract. DHS anticipates issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) on or about August 27, 2014 with applications due on October 1, 2014. After an evaluation process, one entity is expected to be selected with contract negotiations commencing in early December 2014.
- Estimated Completion Date: December 2014
- Response Date: August 2014
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented
60-Day Agency Response
On April 1, 2014, the County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services (DHS) released a Request for Information (RFI) for Trauma Service Center Candidates in the East San Gabriel Valley. The RFI was sent to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, Citrus Valley Hospitals, Prime Health Care, and AHMC Health. The deadline for submitting the RFI was April 16, 2014. DHS will need to review and analyze the RFIs and further negotiations with hospitals will be required.
- Estimated Completion Date: December 2014
- Response Date: April 2014
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Partially Implemented
All Recommendations in 2013-116
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.