Due to the added pressure on hospitals imposed by the H1N1 virus this flu season, Coast Plaza has adopted recommendations from the H1N1 Flu Task Force and government health officials. Effective immediately, we at Coast will supplement existing visitor and infection control guidelines by transitioning to higher levels of protection for patients, visitors, and all hospital staff. In this way, we hope to keep the spread of this virus to a minimum. New additions to visitor guidelines are as follows:

• Any visitor who appears sick or exhibits signs of fever, cough, or related illness should be strenuously requested not to enter the hospital.
• Because of the large number of national H1N1 flu cases infecting the young, Coast Plaza will now implement a temporary age restriction for all visitors. Until further notice, visitors must be 16 years or older to enter inpatient care areas. Exemptions may be made on an individual basis for those visiting Compassionate Care or critically ill patients.
• Any visitor who has in the past three days been in contact with a person exhibiting flu-like symptoms will not be allowed into the hospital.

These new guidelines are to be strongly enforced and should remain in effect until further notice. We will continue to keep you updated as the season progresses. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

As many of you are aware, the House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, by a vote of 220-215. Unlike earlier versions, this bill allows providers to negotiate reimbursement rates under the public plan, while providing an extension through June 2011 for a temporary increase to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage provided in the federal stimulus bill.

What does passage of this legislation mean to Coast Plaza? If passed by the Senate and then signed by the President, the Congressional Budget Office projects this bill would provide insurance coverage to 96 percent of all Americans, and as many as 36 million individuals would access new coverage. Coverage expansion would be achieved by increasing federal support for Medicaid eligibility up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level and through subsidies to moderate-income Americans to buy insurance through private plans in a new health insurance exchange or through a new government-run public plan.

Over the years, Coast Plaza has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with many retired professional football players. We are happy to report that on October 21, the National Football League (NFL) came to an agreement with the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) to address the concerns of league retirees. This agreement effectively states that there will be no reduction in pension or disability payments to retired players in the event of an uncapped 2010 football season. Coming in the wake of new studies detailing the link between football and long-term traumatic brain injuries, such an agreement is much needed and well-timed.

Coast Plaza now offers quick and easy scanning of the heart and lungs with its GE LightSpeed 64 Slice CT Scanner. Both patients and employees are recommended to get regular checkups to prevent cardiovascular disease.

For further information, click HERE for English and HERE for Spanish.

In closing, I am pleased to announce that this year’s Coast Plaza Employee Holiday Party will be held on Saturday, December 5, between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Jobs in the healthcare industry are by nature stressful, and the holidays are the perfect time to show your appreciation for coworkers and relax with fellow employees in a more casual, festive environment. I hope to see you all there.