Sunday, Sep. 21, 2008

City, residents welcome state-of-the-art hospital

California's growing and aging population presents a new challenge: the need for more hospital beds. And the San Joaquin Valley is one of the regions where that need will be greatest in the next 25 years.

That is one of the conclusions of new research sponsored by California HealthCare Foundation. Its report was released last week, just as Kaiser Permanente was preparing to open its new Modesto hospital. The timing was coincidental, but provides good context for the significance of increasing the number of hospital beds in our city, which is once again home to three full-service hospitals.

Several thousand people toured the hospital during a public open house Saturday. Visitors were impressed by spacious private rooms; by all the cameras, computers and other high-tech equipment in the operating rooms; by the prospect of paperless record keeping and by the idea that family members will be able sleep overnight in a pull-out bed near their loved one.

Kaiser moved into Stanislaus County in 1996, initially contracting with area physicians and hospitals to provide services. In late 2002, Kaiser announced plans to build a hospital and medical center on 49 acres at the north edge of Modesto. City officials were eager to please, agreeing to put the Kaiser project on a fast track for planning. The appeal was 1,000-plus new jobs and other economic benefits.

To be sure, the five-story Kaiser complex has changed the landscape of north Modesto. It also has contributed to the traffic -- and to upgrades to accommodate it.

Kaiser also has changed the business dynamics, with its reputation for paying top salaries to nurses and related professionals. Other providers, including hospitals, are often cool to Kaiser, not just because of the competition it represents but because it is a closed system, open only to members and arguably not bearing a fair share of the burden in caring for those on Medi-Cal or with no insurance. But Kaiser will have to treat nonmembers in its emergency room because law forbids any ER from turning away someone based on their ability to pay.

There are other reasons to celebrate the new hospital:

For Kaiser members living in Modesto and surrounding areas, it means no longer having to travel to Turlock or Manteca for hospitalization. Presumably, the new hospital will help Kaiser grow its membership, currently at 96,000.

Kaiser has stepped up as a good corporate citizen, contributing to community endeavors ranging from nurse education programs to obesity prevention projects.

Some of its wellness classes are open to nonmembers, and its campus has walking paths available to the public.

Kaiser has much to offer our community.