SUMMER 2015
Ojai Valley Community Hospital
Ojai Valley Community Hospital is a 91-bed, non-profit, community-based acute care facility serving the over 35,000 residents of the Ojai Valley. AMONG OUR DISTINCTIONS: Licensed by the California Department of Health Services National accreditation from DNV Healthcare, focusing on quality, innovation and continual improvement Highly trained physicians and specialists work closely with our full staff of healthcare professionals, management and volunteers to bring a high level of care to the residents in the Ojai Valley.
Bringing Quality Healthcare to the Residents of the Ojai Valley
Hospital Moving Forward with Phase III of Construction Plans Kimberly Rivers Ojai Valley News correspondent
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Community Memorial Health System is in the approval process with the city of Ojai and the state of California for its next big project at the Ojai Valley Community Hospital: the construction of a new Continuing Care Center. The $10 million project will replace the skilled nursing facility with a new building on 4 acres of undeveloped land at the back of the hospital property. According to state law, all hospital facilities must be approved by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, (OSHPD) as well as by the hospital's local planning department – in this case, the city of Ojai. The project has received initial com-
ments from OSHPD and the city, and the hospital has responded to those comments and is awaiting results of the formal review from both entities. “The proposed project is a replacement of our existing skilled nursing facility,” said Haady Lashkari, Chief Administrative Officer at Ojai Valley Community Hospital. The entire property is just under 8 acres. “We hope to be through the approval phase by the end of summer and begin grading by the end of the year,” Lashkari added. Once construction begins, the project is expected to take 16 to 18 months. A skilled nursing facility provides nonacute care for those who may need physical therapy following a surgery prior to returning home, as well as providing care to some permanent residents. “The new facility will
The new Continuing Care Center building will be built directly behind the existing location. Continued on next page.
OJAI HEALTHCARE
have more modern amenities, more space, and create a more residential (and) less institutional feel," Lashkari noted. In addition to providing more private, single-patient rooms, the new facility will also have handicapped-accessible bathrooms and showers in each room – something the current facility lacks. “We believe it is a beautiful design that will fit with Ojai,” said Lashkari. He also said they are hoping to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification on this project. LEED is a program of the United States Green Building Council. The new skilled nursing facility
and adds to the healing characteristic of the overall building. I think this will be the first LEED-certified building in the city of Ojai." The planning phase for this project involved community meetings and focus groups with patients, staff and the hospital's neighbors. The Hitching Post and Creekside condominium and townhome communities share property lines with the hospital. “We received a lot of good questions. Most were about mitigation measures during the initial grading and construction, controlling dust, and about what type of landscaping will be used,” said Lashkari. He said it was helpful to
“The new facility will have more modern amenities, more space, and create a more residential (and) less institutional feel." will have energy-efficient heating ventilation and air conditioning systems and lighting. Recycled materials will also be used and drought tolerant landscaping and native plants will also be added. Lashkari further explained the LEED program, saying, “It is also about how materials are sourced to reduce the carbon footprint. We believe it is just good design as well,
get the questions and other input early on in the planning process, so that it was easy to incorporate many suggestions into the project. The project includes a driveway accessing Cuyama Road, at the back of the hospital property. Rather than a second entrance, Lashkari said this driveway was needed as a secondary access in case of emergency, or if
for some reason the main entrance on Highway 33 was inaccessible. They do not expect any increase in traffic at that location due to this driveway. When construction is complete, and the Continuing Care Center is ready, the patients will be moved into their new rooms, and then the old facility will be torn down. A parking and courtyard space will be put in its place. “This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Ojai Valley Hospital joining with Community Memorial Hospital to form Community Memorial Health System,” said Lashkari. He listed the many “achievements” the system has experienced in Ojai during those years – going from a one-room Emergency Room to a six-bed Emergency Department, seismic compliance throughout the hospital, a new roof, new HVAC units, an Intensive Care Unit remodel, and a remodel of the front entrance. He said over the many years when the hospital was owned by for-profit companies, much-needed maintenance was deferred, but is getting done now. Even the front entrance of the hospital was not handicapped accessible, Lashkari noted, but recent renovations have rectified that. “We are just finishing up on renovating the interior of the hospital – changing the carpeting and wall coverings,” added Lashkari.
OJAI VALLEY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
PATIENT SATISFACTION The Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation Guild’s
Proceeds will benefit the Ojai Valley Community Hospital & its Continuing Care Center. For ticket & sponsorship information, please call 805.640.2317.
Ojai Valley Community Hospital Exceeds State & National Standards for 2014 Ojai Valley Community Hospital Scores Compared to State and National Averages OVERALL RATING
80.45
WILLINGNESS TO RECOMMEND
81.55 86.11
CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 75 NATIONAL AVERAGE: 79
COMMUNICATION WITH DOCTORS
86.62
CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 78 NATIONAL AVERAGE: 82
RESPONSIVENESS OF HOSPITAL STAFF
9 • 26 • 15 • LIBBEY BOWL • OJAI DINNER + CONCERT Supporting New Healthcare Facilities for our Communities
VISIT: www.CMHSAtTheBowl.org Presented by Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation & Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation
CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 70 NATIONAL AVERAGE: 71
COMMUNICATION WITH NURSES
COMMUNICATION ABOUT MEDICATIONS
AT THE BOWL
CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 68 NATIONAL AVERAGE: 71
71.14
84.79
CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 62 NATIONAL AVERAGE: 65
CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 62 NATIONAL AVERAGE: 68
DISCHARGE INFORMATION
89.80
CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 84 NATIONAL AVERAGE: 86
PAIN MANAGEMENT
75.54
CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 69 NATIONAL AVERAGE: 71
CLEANLINESS/ QUIETNESS
69.07
CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 61 NATIONAL AVERAGE: 68
HCAHPS Composite generated January - December 2014.
Community Memorial Health System 147 N. Brent St. Ventura, CA 93003
Ojai Valley Community Hospital Completes Phase I & II of Modernization Plans America's Best Hospitals Emergency Care
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Despite its remarkable service to residents and visitors, OVCH’s aging infrastructure, coupled with state seismic requirements, required essential upgrades. With the support of Community Memorial Health System, OVCH has already completed the first two phases of construction.
PHASE I: SEISMIC IMPROVEMENTS • • • •
Replacement of roof Installation of new air conditioning and heating units Remodel of Intensive Care Unit Internal strengthening of ceiling braces to meet seismic mandate deadlines
PHASE II: EXTERIOR ACUTE CARE RENOVATIONS • • • • •
Construction of new ADA-compliant patient entry New patient/visitor courtyard Expanded patient admitting area New hospital lobby New exterior to better reflect the heritage of the Ojai Valley
Ojai Valley Community Hospital Recognized for Excellence in Emergency Care Ojai Valley Community Hospital has earned the 2015 Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care. OVCH was selected based upon superior performance on CMS measures on emergency departments. These measures were weighted based on a national survey of women’s priorities when selecting emergency care.