1:33pm, officers assisting with the installation of the new Pay and Display machine at the launch ramp. Boaters can now use credit or debit cards.
Wednes 8-5
4:02am, received a complaint about the dredge horn sounding. Officers assured the complainer that the dredge was not operating but that the #2 navigation buoy has a whistle that is operated by the rising and falling of swell.
Saturday 8-8
4:55pm, received a report of a small vessel operating recklessly in the A-basin. The R/P believes the operator is intoxicated. Officers responded to investigate and after a search were unable to locate the offenders in the harbor.
Sunday 8-9
9:35am, received report of a vessel explosion at the east end of Anacapa Island. Officers responded in Fireboat with Ventura Fire engine 2 crew. The four persons onboard were pulled from the water and the vessel towed back to port.
12:20pm, received a report of two State Parks lifeguards swimming a disabled Personal Water Craft out of the Surfline. Officers responded in Rescue B-19, took the disabled craft en tow back to Harbor Cove .
Monday 8-10
4:50pm, received a report of a 35ft sailboat on the rocks at the end of the A-basin in the Harbor. Officers responded in Rescue B-17, found the vessel as reported, towed off the rocks, sidetied and delivered to their slip in VIM I-23.
Friday 8-14
8:09pm, dispatched to a drowning at Surfers Knoll from FCC. Officers responded with VFD/AMR to the call. The patient was located on the beach and suffered a head laceration from a surfboard. Patient self-transported to hospital.
Saturday 8-15
9:15am, received a walk-in complaint from a Standup Paddler who was “waked” by a large vessel near the harbor entrance. The paddler demanded an apology for the incident from the captain of the large vessel. UTL the captain.
12:58pm, officers ran safety in Rescue B-17 for a paddle-out at “The Dredge” attended by hundreds of mourners for a local surfer who recently passed away.
Sunday 8-16
11:15am, while on patrol in the vehicle, officers observed horrendous traffic on Spinnaker drive in both directions. Parking was at or near capacity in all areas.
All-day: officers either witnessed or received reports of PWC operators in violation of speed and or safe operation laws inside and outside the harbor. Warnings for the violations issued to the mostly new operators and compliance..
3:03pm, received a request to dive for a lost purse near the docks of the PortSide. Officers responded but were unable to assist because of the large population of sealions on the docks in the area, the water was 30 feet deep in the area and the feeling the mammals would attack anyone entering the water there. Sealions are federally protected, and persons are prohibited within 30ft of them.
Monday 8-17
1:15pm, dispatched to a fall victim at the Ventura Harbor Yacht Yard. Officers responded with VFD/AMR to a 79-year-old male that fell off a 7ft ladder. The patient was placed in C-pine precautions and transported to local hospital.
2:14pm, while checking on the welfare of a sailboat, received a request for a tow from a disabled 20ft vessel. Officers towed the vessel to the launch ramp safely.
Diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, lung disease, and other chronic diseases can make life difficult to manage for millions of older adults, often forcing them to give up their independence.
Every day, millions of people with chronic diseases struggle to manage their symptoms.
About 80% of older adults have one chronic disease.
68.4% of Medicare beneficiaries have two or more chronic diseases and 36.4% have four or more.
Chronic diseases can affect a person’s ability to perform important activities, restricting their engagement in life and their enjoyment of family and friends.
The Cost of Chronic Diseases
The traditional medical model of caring for people with chronic diseases—which focuses more on the illness than on the patient—is expensive and often ineffective.
More than two-thirds of all health care costs are for treating chronic diseases.
95% of health care costs for older Americans can be attributed to chronic diseases.
Less than 1% of health care dollars are spent on prevention to improve overall health.
NCOA’s Role
Addressing chronic diseases requires new strategies to delay health deterioration, improve function, and address the problems that people confront in their day-to-day lives.
NCOA and Stanford University have collaborated for nearly a decade to disseminate proven programs in-person and online that empower individuals with chronic diseases to manage their own care and improve their quality of life.
Probably the best known and most highly regarded self-management program for people with chronic diseases is Stanford’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP).
Through a partnership with the U.S. Administration for Community Living, NCOA promotes CDSMP and its variants through community-based workshops.
CDSMP is also supported in communities by grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other funders. Since 2006, more than 300,000 people have participated in these impactful programs.
As part of our social enterprise partnership with Canary Health, NCOA continues to promote the online suite of self-management programs, known as Better Choices, Better Health®. We also remain committed to research and development work on evidence-based self-management and patient engagement.
What is CDSMP?
CDSMP is a low-cost program that helps adults with chronic diseases learn how to manage and improve their health. Interactive workshop sessions focus on problems that are common to individuals dealing with any chronic disease. Topics include pain management, nutrition, exercise, medication use, emotions, and communicating with doctors.
Workshops are led by two trained facilitators, at least one of whom has a chronic disease. Fifteen hours of content are covered during weekly sessions held over a six-week period. Throughout the program, approximately 10-15 participants focus on building skills to manage their conditions by sharing experiences and providing mutual support.
CDSMP:
Helps people with diverse medical diagnoses such as diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension develop skills and coping strategies to manage their symptoms.
Employs action planning, interactive learning, behavior modeling, problem-solving, decision making, and social support for change.
Is offered via two venues—online and in-person held in community settings such as senior centers, churches, community health clinics, and libraries.
Has disease-specific variants for diabetes, chronic pain, cancer survivors, HIV/AIDS, and arthritis.
Is available in Spanish for the chronic disease and diabetes self-management programs, and the Stanford-developed CDSMP trainer manual is available in over 19 different languages.
How Effective is CDSMP?
Based on a recent national study of CDSMP, the program resulted in significant, measurable improvements in the health and quality of life of adults with chronic diseases. CDSMP also appears to save enough through reductions in health care expenditures to pay for itself within the first year.
Health Benefits
Improved self-reported health.
Improved health status in six indicators: fatigue, shortness of breath, depression, pain, stress, and sleep problems.
Improved health-related quality of life, unhealthy physical days, and unhealthy mental days.
Improved communication with doctors, medication compliance, and health literacy.
Cost Savings
$714 per person savings in emergency room visits and hospital utilization.
$364 per person net savings after considering program costs of $350 per participant.
Potential savings of $6.6 billion by reaching 10% of Americans with one or more chronic disease.
In a year when most people are trying to create more distance between themselves and others, Christina Cabral is on the frontline helping individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Cabral was hired as the City and County’s new Proactive Outreach Worker in December, 2019 and had to pivot immediately upon stepping into her new position due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Things are different, but we’ve tried to offer the same customer service to our clients while taking precautions,” she said.
Her new role — which is funded by Measure O and the County — allows Cabral to spend half of her week in the field, directly reaching out to homeless individuals and families. That work continues, despite the pandemic. “With COVID-19, there definitely has been a change,” Cabral explains. “But our client needs have been priority, and we’ve continued to be in the field for our most vulnerable populations.”
On any given day, you can find her anywhere in Ventura City limits. She might be talking with shelter-less people on Main Street or offering a connection to services near the river bottom. Her days are varied, but her goal is consistent. “We’re proactively going out and trying to offer resources to people and build relationships,” she explains.
Even in the face of a pandemic, Cabral persists. “I still am able to go out into the field. For example, I accompanied the Ventura Land Trust to the Ventura River Bottom off Main Street and wore a mask. We’ve been able to continue to meet people where they are in parks, hotels, and shelters and we’ve been accessible even when teleworking.”
Cabral’s role serving on the front lines for some of Ventura’s most vulnerable populations is the result of a City and County partnership. “I think it’s fantastic that two government entities were able to identify an unmet need and collaborate creatively to embark on a partnership that will positively impact this very vulnerable population,” Chris Russell, Homeless Services Program Manager for the County of Ventura, says. “[The Proactive Outreach Worker] allows us to get to the people, rather than waiting for the people to come to us.”
Cabral is the ideal person to connect with individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Her entire career, she’s worked with nonprofits committed to serving the most vulnerable in Ventura County. “I have a passion for wanting to work with the homeless population, trying to be a support for them, an encourager and an advocate,” she says. “I really feel like it’s an honor to try to assist as much as I can.”
Less than a year into her new role, Cabral has already seen successes. She partners with local organizations and individuals who alert her to homeless individuals who might be in need. Through communication with groups like the Downtown Ventura Partner’s Park Ambassadors, Ventura Police Departments Patrol Task Force, and the Safe and Clean Manager Meredith Hart, she gets informed about where she’s needed most.
Once she shows up, she says it’s all about connecting personally. “Sometimes, it doesn’t get to the resource conversation until you’ve been getting to know someone for a month,” she explains. “A really big part of my job is gaining trust and building relationships.”
Fortunately, Cabral is a dedicated member of that community. Less than a year into her new role as Proactive Outreach Worker, undaunted by the pandemic, she’s already made notable, measurable strides toward getting homeless individuals connected to the right services to improve their lives
Some random thoughts for getting through the day …
Have you heard of custom puzzles? They’re available at a number of places online. (Read the reviews before you order and look for U.S. companies.) Select a favorite vacation or family photo, decide on the size of the puzzle and the number of pieces, send in your order and you’ll get back all the pieces to create a puzzle of that image. Call the company first to be sure of the details.
Buy stamps by mail and stay out of the post office. Ask the local post office to have your mail carrier bring out a stamp order form and envelope. Check off the ones you want, write a check payable to Postmaster and slide it into the envelope. Leave it in your outgoing mail and within a few days your stamps will be delivered to you.
Do you have enough indoor plants? Even if you have a few, can you use more? Plants are good for our indoor environment where we’re all spending so much time. Check your local nursery for curb pickup.
If you miss playing chess with others, you can play online. See www.chess.com/play/computer and play against the computer. Better yet, play against a pal using an old-school method: set up a board on each end and send your moves to each other via email.
On the other hand, too many people are trying to cut their own hair nowadays since too many salons and barber shops are closed. If you think you want to cut your own hair, don’t. If you really insist you need to cut your hair and haven’t done it before, go online to YouTube and watch a few dozen how-to videos about cutting hair. Then rethink your plan again. Whatever you do, don’t use regular kitchen or paper scissors. If you have to do this, invest in proper haircutting shears.
Coronavirus Scammers
Scammers have come up with even more ways to defraud us, this time using the coronavirus.
Contact tracers are people who make calls when someone you know has tested positive for the coronavirus. Their job is to trace the possible path the virus has taken from person to person. They only need health information and the places you’ve been, not financial or personal information. If someone calls you who insists on knowing additional information as part of the contact tracing, hang up.
If you get emails or calls from someone saying they have a cure for the virus, or a sure-fire method of being certain you don’t get it, hang up. Their next questions will likely be to ask for your personal or financial information, or a credit card number so you can pay for shipping. Don’t fall for it. There are no approved test kits or cures that can be handed out to the general public.
If you get email that’s supposedly from the government asking about where to send your stimulus relief check, ignore it. The government is not going to contact you about that. They’ll send your check (if you’re eligible for one) in the mail or they’ll deposit it directly into your account, the same one where they deposit your Social Security benefit. Scammers also will pretend to be people from your bank.
If you get a robocall saying you qualify for low-cost coronavirus insurance, hang up.
If you get suspicious email that looks like it might be from the government with information about coronavirus, don’t open it, and especially don’t click on any links. Those can put a virus or tracer on your computer.
To stay up on the news about the virus, use a legitimate source: www.ftc.gov/coronavirus. On that site you’ll find more information about avoiding coronavirus scams.
Beware … and stay safe.
Social Media Holds Hidden Dangers
Even before the lockdowns brought on by the coronavirus, too many seniors felt isolated. Now it’s even worse for many of us with the lack of face-to-face interactions … and we’ve turned to social media for connections to others.
There, on Facebook and Twitter, in chat rooms and email lists, we’ve found friends to talk to and pass the hours of this lockdown. We feel happy to have these people at the other end of the keyboard. It’s good for us.
Or maybe not.
The big problem with social media is that we really don’t know who is on the other end. The new friend who seems so interested in us might actually be a scammer, just waiting for the right moment to spring the trap and ask for money. How can you refuse, you’ll wonder, if someone you’ve come to know so well asks for help?
Or maybe we’ve shared too much information, such as our location or our real name.
Or how about the new friend who sends funny cartoons, one of which might contain a virus that leaves our computer open to hackers?
Add in an election year, and it’s all too easy to talk online with people who supposedly share our views. Quite commonly they ask for money or contact info.
Some things to think about:
If you really want to connect with others on social media, create a fake name for it. Learn how to block people and don’t add just anybody to your network or list. Don’t give out your real name or location, no matter how friendly other people seem.
Focus on an area of social media with a narrow, safe focus such as pets, cooking or gardening.
Better yet, call up a few people you already know and ask if they’d like to meet for online games, such as chess, or just chatting. They might feel just as isolated as you do and welcome your overture.
Topa had been locked in a car for nearly eight hours.
∙From the Search Dog Foundation: Topa had been locked in a car for nearly eight hours by the time concerned citizens noticed and called the police to rescue this Border Collie mix. When her owner was discovered in a nearby bar, he was arrested for animal neglect and other outstanding legal issues, forcing him to surrender ownership of Topa to the Western Hills Humane Society. Soon after she arrived, Topa was discovered by SDF recruiters, who quickly evaluated her and determined she was a great fit for our program! Benefiting from the generous support raised by The Rachael Ray Rescue Brigade in 2018 and 2019, Topa completed her search dog training in September, 2019 and was partnered with Rudy Valencia of the Berkeley Fire Department in California. The team is now training and working toward FEMA certification, making them deployable anywhere in the United States as part of California Task Force 4.
∙The North Korean government is reportedly ordering more “decadent” citizens to hand over their dogs so that other people can eat.
According to Canadian news outlet the National Post, South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo reported that President Kim Jong-Un calls pet ownership a byproduct of “bourgeois ideology” and is ordering dog owners to surrender those pets so they can be slaughtered and fed to hungry North Koreans.
“Authorities have identified households with pet dogs and are forcing them to give them up or forcefully confiscating them and putting them down,” a source reportedly told South Korean media.
That report states that common folks in the communist “Hermit Kingdom” raise livestock for sustenance but owning an animal for companionship is a luxury enjoyed by people of privilege. The fact that some North Koreans can afford dogs has “stoked some resentment.”
Soo you dog owners should be happy to know that you are people of privilege. How sad this is.
∙For the first time, the RedRover Responders training is available online to those who are eager to help animals and people in crisis. This online course will be offered at no charge.
RedRover Responders volunteers are specially trained to care for and shelter large numbers of animals after they have been rescued from cruelty and neglect cases or natural disasters. The volunteers provide the workforce which enables communities to address their animal needs swiftly and efficiently. Additionally, volunteers often deploy to help build pet-friendly spaces at domestic violence shelters in conjunction with RedRover Safe Housing grants.
The online course is self-paced and can be completed in just a few hours, while offering the expert information and training that RedRover is known for in preparing volunteers for future deployments.
With more than 4,000 trained volunteers in the United States and Canada, RedRover can deploy its volunteers quickly when communities become overburdened by a crisis involving large numbers of animals. Since 1987, RedRover has responded to more than 200 natural disasters and other crises nationwide, including Hurricanes Harvey and Katrina, Camp Fire, Superstorm Sandy, 9/11, Joplin Tornado, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, and many more.
Deployments and in-person training workshops are currently on hold due to COVID-19, but will resume once it is determined to be safe.
To learn how to become a RedRover Responders volunteer, visit: https://go.redrover.org/page/21471/event/1.
Since 1987, RedRover has focused on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the human-animal bond through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and humane education. RedRover is a founding member of the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC), established after Hurricane Katrina’s devastating impact on more people and animals than any other storm in United States history. To learn how RedRover is creating a more compassionate world, please visit RedRover.org.
∙Houseplants are a wholesome addition to the ambiance of any room. They can provide several health benefits, including keeping carbon dioxide levels down, removing pollutants, and improving moisture levels in your home. However, there are some common houseplants that can be toxic to your furry friends. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), the following houseplants could be potentially dangerous to the wellbeing of your pets.
Mildly Toxic Plants:
Fiddle Leaf Fig and Spider Plant can be toxic to both dogs and cats. Small ingestions of either plant can cause mild gastrointestinal irritation, skin irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea.
These plants contain insoluble calcium oxalates. The stem, leaf stalk, and leaves contain crystals that can cause irritation to the mouth and GI tract when chewed or ingested. Additional symptoms include nausea, drooling, gagging, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In addition to Calla Liles and Peace Lilies, there are several other Lilies that are extremely toxic to cats. According to Pet Poison Helpline, Lilies classified as “True Lilies” and “Day Lilies”, including Easter Lilies, Tiger Lilies, Stargazer Lilies, Japanese Show Lilies, and Asiatic Lilies, can trigger sudden kidney failure in cats. Pet owners should avoid having these types of Lilies in their homes or yards to avoid harm to their animals.
Exposure to these plants are not considered life threatening, but pets that show more severe symptoms may require a visit to your local vet.
Moderately Toxic Plants:
Small exposure to these plants can cause vomiting or diarrhea in dogs and cats. Larger exposure can lead to depression, weakness, and lack of coordination. Additional symptoms for cats may include enlarged pupils, rapid breathing, elevated heart rate, drooling, and abdominal discomfort. Exposure to Jade plants in both cats and dogs may also cause lethargy, ataxia, and muscle tremors.
Severely Toxic Plants:
All parts of the Sago Palm plant are extremely toxic to both cats and dogs. However, the seeds contain the highest concentration of toxins. If exposed, pets can experience immediate vomiting, diarrhea with blood, lethargy, anorexia, and seizures. The most extreme symptom is liver failure, which can develop within three days of consumption.
Easter Lilies are very toxic to cats. Even the smallest amount of exposure to this plant can result in kidney injury and death, which can develop within 48-72 hours. Other symptoms include vomiting, depression, lethargy, and anorexia. Dogs often experience less severe symptoms than cats.
It is important to have an emergency plan in place if/when your animal is exposed to a toxic plant. Have emergency vet numbers easily accessible, including your own vet and a poison control hotline. The APC can be contacted at 888-426-4435. If symptoms are severe and you need to take your pet in for veterinary assistance, it may be helpful to bring a picture of the plant so your vet knows exactly what was consumed. In most cases, it is best to contact your vet if your pet is exposed to a large amount of these plants.
If you currently own any of these indoor plants, be sure they are placed on a high shelf or counter and are out of reach of your animal. If your pet likes to roam your fenced yard, you should consider avoiding these types of toxic plants in your landscaping. Pet owners should context their vet immediately if your pet has been exposed to either of these plants. You can also contact APCC at 888-426-4435.
Hi: I’m Jackson, a healthy, happy, eager-to-please 7 year old American Staffordshire Terrier X who is very friendly , affectionate and a World Class Snuggler! I have a great energy level and a relaxed, goofy way about myself that everyone just loves! My ideal family will allow me time to decompress, get used to my new surroundings and provide me with lots of love, attention and continued training. I would also like to be the only pet in the family so I can give you my total, undivided attention!
Fill out an online application to meet me. I may be the BFF you’ve been looking for! Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L.CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.
PS: The girl isn’t included.
Your search for a best friend is over! Meet Finneas, a handsome, friendly, Goofy and affectionate 3 year old boy who has BFF and Wingman written all over him! Finneas has lots of energy and would love to be part of an active family where he would get lots of exercise, play time and attention. Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive Finneas A752202
The Ventura County Area on Aging (VCAAA), has been/continues to be helping people over the age of 60 since 1980. “Within the past 10 years it has expanded to be able to also help people of all ages with disabilities, which includes those with low vision or who are hard of hearing or deaf, in order to enhance the quality of their lives,” according to, Jannette Jauregui, VCAAA Public Information Officer. “We are proud that we’ve continued to find better and improved methods of reaching older adults and people with disabilities in better ways over time, since there are 200,000 older adults and people with disabilities living within Ventura County.”
VCAAA has recently won both national and state awards. “The VCAAA is the recipient of two National Mature Media Awards and a California Association of Public Information Officers (CAPIO) award,” according to, Jauregui. “Projects that received acknowledgement include, ‘LIVEWELL’ and the ‘Navigating Medicare Enrichment video production.’ Both of these have been recognized as having the state and nation’s best marketing, communications, and educational materials produced for older adults and people with disabilities.”
“LIVEWELL, which won a CAPIO Award of Distinction and a Silver Award from the National Mature Media Awards, in the premier resource guide for; older adults; people with disabilities of all ages; and, caregivers within Ventura County,” according to, Jauregui. The LIVEWELL resource guide includes information within Ventura County dealing with: active living; community resources; transportation; financial and legal services; food resources; and, medical services.
“Navigating Medicare Enrollment received a Silver Award from the National Mature Media Award, and was produced as part of the VCAAA’s Health Insurance and Advocacy Program (HICAP), with a goal to assist people who are new to, or have questions regarding, Medicare enrollment,” according to, Jauregui.
Victoria Jump, Director of the VCAAA said that, “The VCAAA is honored to have received the recognition and is proud of the impact that our marketing and communication efforts have had on the community.”
“Services across the board, including the senior nutrition program,” according to, Jauregui, “continues to exist since COVID-19. Our case managers have been conducting wellness checks over the phone or in person, with masks on, and at a safe distance. These are ‘porch visits’ that benefit the clients in order to makes sure that they have all that they need while living at home, since it’s our goal to have people to continue to be able to live at home.”
“The VCAAA Advisory Board has reps from the 10 cities within Ventura County that advocate and represent our senior and people with disabilities constituents needs,” according to the chair, Suz Montgomery. “We are appointed by our respective city councils, which is a big deal. We all serve as a voice for the community.”
During this difficult time during the pandemic the VCAAA is still open and operating. It also continues to be a resource of a wealth of information. Call: (805) 477-7300. And, look for more information on the website at: www.vcaaa.org.
A volunteer team that maintains the native plant garden at Channel Islands National Park has received national recognition as the winners of the prestigious National Park Service (NPS) Hartzog Volunteer Group Award.
The team of 15 volunteers contributed over 1,300 hours caring for the park’s native plant garden and nursery this past year. Collectively, they have contributed the equivalent of 73 years of volunteer service, with an average service of ten years each.
They are passionate about creating an experience on the mainland that mirrors the island plant communities of the Mediterranean ecosystem, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world.
Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary are hosting a virtual award ceremony today at 3:00 pm to recognize the Hartzog winners as well as the outstanding service and milestone achievements of several other volunteers.
A 25-year record of contributing over 5,000 hours is celebrated for visitor center volunteer Frank Foster. Like clockwork every Thursday, Foster provides an invaluable service providing information to park visitors, training new volunteers, caring for the marine life exhibit, and tracking statistics.
The park volunteer of the year, Michael Delaney, wins the Lighthouse Award for his efforts in a diversity of roles. The multi-talented Delaney volunteers as a naturalist, visitor center information specialist, native plant gardener, island restoration work leader, AV technician, and is a caretaker for the historic Fresnel lens on Anacapa Island. In 2019, Delaney contributed time equivalent to a third of a full-time employee.
Linda Windsor is recognized with the Channel Islands Naturalist Corps (CINC) Blue Whale Award for providing high-quality interpretive services on the islands and at community events consistently the past five years.
The Hartzog Volunteer Group Award recognizes the exemplary work of an organized group to improve conditions for the park resources, facilities or operations, and/or visitors; developing community partnerships; and/or providing a positive, supportive work environment.
Community Memorial Hospital once again has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes CMH’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.
“CMH is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative. The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes,” said Stephanie Lara-Jenkins, RN V, Stroke Coordinator for CMH.
CMH earned the award for another year by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluating the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines, with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, and other care transition interventions.
CMH also received the Association’s Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll awards. To qualify for the Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or r-tPA. This medication treats ischemic stroke, which is caused when a vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked. To qualify for the Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award, CMH had to meet quality measures developed with more than 90 percent of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”
The association says stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that gives hospitals tools and resources to help them adhere to the latest research-based guidelines.
Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, the Centers for Family Health, and various outpatient centers serving communities located within Ventura County, California.
