Losing hospital would be a ‘dubious plan’
EDITOR: California law effectively precludes the possibility of “stand alone” emergency rooms, as that term is understood. Such facilities would be required to provide essentially the same services as full-fledged hospitals. As this would presumably cost about the same to operate as a hospital, there would likely be nothing to gain in cost savings.
Far better, it seems, to agree to a modest increase in our taxes to support the hospital we have. To do otherwise would be to force the hospital to close, and run the risk that we could manage to recreate a very similar facility, run at a similar cost. Such an ill-advised and dubious plan could fail, leaving us without an emergency medical facility in our community.
Michael R. Watson
Sonoma
Hospital needs ‘permanent solution,’ not parcel tax
EDITOR: Balderdash! The hospital does not “hinge” on the parcel tax. Yes, the hospital would have to take steps to live within a smaller budget, but “hinging”? I don’t think so.
If the tax were fairly applied to everyone, this parcel tax would not even be needed. It unfairly taxes only property owners.
This is simply another scare tactic. Similar to the “we have to build a new hospital” hue and cry we heard for years until some decided that we really could fix what we have.
Let’s stop this nonsense now. If more money is really needed to run the hospital, which I doubt, then find a permanent solution!
Jonathan H. Gates
Sonoma
Responder’s response
EDITOR: I have read that back-and-forth arguments about Measure E. I would like to present the viewpoint of the responders to an emergency call.
I have lived in the Sonoma Valley for more than 40 years, and I served 33 years as a professional firefighter in another jurisdiction. An emergency call generates a series of responses. First are the “first responders,” firefighters who are trained in “basic life support.” Next comes the paramedics who are trained in “advanced life support,” and they transport the patient to the emergency room. Sonoma Valley Hospital ER is not a trauma center, nor equipped for the most serious heart and stroke complications, but they can be an important part of life-saving care.
In the training I received, certain terms were presented. These were “stabilization in the field,” “the Golden Hour,” and “your last illness.” Your chances of surviving a serious medical emergency are grim if you cannot be “stabilized in the field.” Your “Golden Hour” is when advanced medical intervention is essential, or your “last illness” could take your life.
If Sonoma Valley Hospital is forced to close its doors, there will be a health crisis for those with severe medical emergencies. While the call volume wouldn’t be expected to go up, the ambulance delivery and return times to Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Napa and Novato could cause an ambulance shortage. Your “Golden Hour” could evaporate, and “your last illness” could be just that.
My wife and I have used our emergency room, and also have been hospitalized at SVH. We were both very impressed with the care provided.
On June 6, vote for your own health and safety. Vote “yes on Measure E!