About Emergency and Public Health
Our emergency and public health initiative focuses on readiness and engagement to help ensure every hospital has an improving level of preparedness for health and medical emergencies. By providing linkages to local emergency medical services and public health agencies as well as access to services like ReddiNet®, our emergency communications network, HASC is building an integrated emergency response system to enhance your capacity to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Preparing for a Potential Virus Storm
Over the last two years, our hospitals experienced significant winter COVID-19 surges. This year, with the specter of yet another surge approaching, we’re also contending with high levels of influenza and other viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus. Additionally, public health officials have warned of increasing COVID-19 cases associated with the spread of new variants, […]
George Greene Discusses Pandemic Response at State of Reform
HASC President and CEO George Greene presented a keynote address with Kim Milstien of Health Management Associates (HMA) at the recent State of Reform Los Angeles policy conference. The two discussed HASC’s forthcoming Pandemic Response and Emergency Planning Report, which studies the Southern California hospital and health care system response to COVID-19. The report identifies […]
President’s Message from George W. Greene
After experiencing the lowest levels of COVID-19 since last year, hospitalizations in Southern California have swelled by close to 280 percent in the last month. The rapidly rising numbers, the spread of the infectious Delta variant, and unvaccinated populations are concerning as they signal continued increases in hospitalizations over the coming weeks. Fortunately, CDPH has extended […]
Edison Portal Delivers Power-Shutoff Updates
Southern California Edison is now offering a Public Safety Partner Portal that delivers detailed Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) information not available to the general public at SCE.com. Hospital managers will find information provided on the basis of their Critical Infrastructure Customer status. “SCE’s new Public Safety Partner Portal provides detailed forecasts and outage information to help public safety partners and critical infrastructure customers […]
In the Spotlight: Regina Chinsio-Kwong, DO
Known familiarly as Dr. CK, Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong holds a doctor of osteopathy degree from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She currently serves as deputy health officer at OC Health Care Agency. In a podcast supplement to this interview, Dr. CK shared more about her career path and sense of mission for pandemic communications. “We have a role in standing our ground (against misinformation) […]
Blood Banks, Hospitals Issue Donor Call
The American Red Cross, and other organizations that distribute blood products, are again reporting critical shortages following another low-supply situation in June. This one, however, is worse and may constitute the worst blood supply shortage in a decade. “Some hospitals may have to delay elective surgeries and other medical procedures if the situation worsens,” UC Health said in a press release last […]
Advancing Health Equity: Pathways for Hospitals to Improve Health Virtual Workshop
Session Description This intensive one-day workshop offered by the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC), and presented by Communities Lifting Communities and the Public Health Alliance of Southern California, provides an in-depth overview of the role hospitals can play in advancing health equity across their organizations and in the communities they serve. The workshop will cover […]
ReddiNet Celebrates 50 Years of Service
HASC’s ReddiNet® Emergency Medical Communications Service celebrates its 50th anniversary this year – a birthday marked by innovation connected to the region’s coordinated response to COVID-19. As part of the observance, ReddiNet is sharing a 1971 training film based on HASC’s work developing the original system, which functioned via radio phones based at hospitals. The film’s credits note former HASC President/CEO Steven W. Gamble’s key role […]
#ThisIsOurShot — to Boost Vaccine Trust
The more quickly a majority of people receive their vaccines, the sooner life in California and the U.S. will feel normal — with an open economy and kids in school. #ThisIsOurShot is the No. 1 digital vaccine trust-building campaign in the country, engaging more than 25,000 health care heroes and generating more than 250 million digital impressions since December. This week, HASC, CHA […]
In the Spotlight: Aizita Magaña
Aizita Magaña plays a lead role in the region’s fight against COVID-19 this month. As director of planning and public partnerships with the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program, she shapes communications around one of Southern California’s most critical vaccination efforts of the past century. Magaña is a public health professional with a passion for […]