DATE: May 3, 2022
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution in Support of Locating a Trauma Center in Southern Alameda County at Washington Hospital’s Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) supporting the creation and location of a trauma center in Southern Alameda County at Washington Hospital in Fremont.
SUMMARY
The current Alameda County trauma network has not changed since it was established in 1987. It currently has three trauma centers: Highland Hospital in Oakland; UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland; and Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. The population in Southern Alameda County alone has grown from roughly 230,000 residents when the trauma network was established to nearly 350,000 residents and is expected to grow by another 15 percent to 403,000 by 2040. WHHS engaged an independent third party from 2018 to 2019 to assess the feasibility of a trauma center located at the hospital, which, using data provided by Alameda County EMS, projected there is sufficient volume to support a trauma center in the southern portion of the County.
Within the coming weeks (April – May 2022), Bishop & Associates will release their report to the East Bay Hospital Council and the Alameda County Health Committee, comprised of members of the County Board of Supervisors. The Health Committee will in turn make a recommendation to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to consider action on changing the Alameda County trauma network to include a trauma center in the south county region. This issue was brought to the attention of the Mayor and City Manager by former County Supervisor Scott Haggerty on behalf of WHHS. Given the timeline for the County recommendations, the City Manager directly agendized this resolution for Council consideration.
BACKGROUND
The current Alameda County trauma network has not changed since it was established in 1987. It currently has three trauma centers: Highland Hospital in Oakland; UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland; and Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. The network has remained unchanged since adoption despite the dramatic population growth in the region. The population in Southern Alameda County alone has grown from roughly 230,000 residents when the trauma network was established to nearly 350,000 residents and is expected to grow by another 15 percent to 403,000 by 2040.
The Washington Township Health Care District, dba Washington Hospital Healthcare System (WHHS), was founded in 1948. Voters passed the first bond for $1.25 million in 1952 to build the hospital, which opened on November 24, 1958, to serve southern Alameda County. WHHS has a publicly elected Board of Directors, which provides governance for this community-owned hospital. WHHS has demonstrated a history of financial stability, responsible stewardship, and has provided a wide-ranging collaboration with Alameda County and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers. Local voters have continually approved bond measures for seismic upgrades and facility improvements required by State mandates, and the expansion of emergency and critical care services.
WHHS engaged an independent third party from 2018 to 2019 to assess the feasibility of a trauma center located at the hospital, which, using data provided by Alameda County EMS, projected there is sufficient volume to support a trauma center in the southern portion of the County. During that time, the Alameda County Department of Public Health retained Bishop & Associates to assess the demand for and feasibility of additional trauma centers in Alameda County. Within the coming weeks (April – May 2022), Bishop & Associates will release their report to the East Bay Hospital Council and the Alameda County Health Committee, comprised of members of the County Board of Supervisors. The Health Committee will in turn make a recommendation to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to consider action on changing the Alameda County trauma network to include a trauma center in the south county region.
This issue was brought to the attention of the Mayor and City Manager by former County Supervisor Scott Haggerty on behalf of WHHS. Given the timeline for the County recommendations, the City Manager directly agendized this resolution for Council consideration.
DISCUSSION
WHHS has applied to Alameda County to be designated as a trauma center. WHHS is equipped with the 224,000-square foot Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion that opened in 2018. The facility contains a state-of-the-art emergency department with 39 rooms and two trauma rooms. The facility also houses a 48-bed critical care unit and 69 medical-surgical rooms. WHHS has been affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco since 2013. This strategic partnership gives WHHS access to UCSF Health’s specialty services and trained surgeons and provides local access to advanced life-saving care.
During its 64-year history, WHHS has maintained a reputation for providing patients the highest-quality clinical care. Expansions and development have always reflected the needs and priorities of the community. WHHS has an award-winning neurosurgical program that has been operational for decades. In addition, the stroke program has won several awards. The clinical services needed to support trauma care are already in place at WHHS.
Not only does WHHS have the infrastructure and services necessary to be a designated trauma center, but it also has a history of being fiscally responsible and stable and keeping the health care needs at the forefront of all actions.
Designating Washington Hospital as a trauma center will provide trauma patients in Southern Alameda County access to quicker life-saving medical care within an acceptable trauma response time. Currently, ambulance transport to Eden Medical Center and Highland Regional Medical Center for trauma services from Fremont, Newark, Union City, and South Hayward can take between 45 minutes to over an hour to arrive, long beyond what is acceptable for trauma response. In addition, roughly 180 patients annually are transported to Santa Clara County and other neighboring counties for trauma related care.
As such, the designation of Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion as a trauma center will dramatically improve the quality of care for trauma patients in the south county area, which will in turn improve the quality of life for Hayward residents (particularly in South Hayward). Washington Hospital’s application to become a trauma center is also strongly supported by the medical community, including St. Rose Hospital leadership, and labor and has vast community support. Staff recommends that the Council adopts a resolution supporting WHHS’ application to be designated as a trauma center.
FISCAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City associated with this item. It is staff's understanding that the operational cost of the trauma center at WHHS would be predominantly funded by WHHS. The financial model provided to Bishop & Associates assumed WHHS would receive $400,000 annually from the County, but no commitment has been made.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item does not relate to any of the priorities in the Strategic Roadmap.
NEXT STEPS
If the Council adopts this resolution, staff will forward a copy to WHHS and the County Board of Supervisors.
Approved by:
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Kelly McAdoo, City Manager