The stress of the pandemic and economic challenges has taken a toll on the emotional and physical health of many. Caring for your cardiovascular health is an important way to counter stress. This includes paying attention to your cardiovascular health.

Prospect Medical is offering highly competitive hiring incentives to recruit registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, clinical laboratory scientists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists to its comprehensive network of five acute care hospitals and two behavioral health hospitals in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City, in collaboration with the city’s police department, this week held a comprehensive, pre-planned active shooter drill designed to protect patients, staff and the public in the event of such an incident occurring at the facility.

Each year, Cintas Corporation announced its C.A.P.E. Award (Cleaning to Advance the Patient Experience) winners to honor of environmental services employees. The awards were established to recognize exceptional EVS professionals in acute or long-term care facilities. At a recent celebration at Southern California Hospital at Culver City, Elsa Linares was honored as one of ten national C.A.P.E. Award recipients.

Drug addiction is a chronic disease that affects both the brain and behavior. Most patients need long-term or repeated care to stop using completely and recover their lives. Often, the first stage of treatment involves medically assisted detoxification, which allows patients to safely discontinue the use of drugs and alcohol. During detoxification at Culver City-based Miracles Detox, for example, the body rids itself of the addictive substance and can experience withdrawal symptoms that range from unpleasant to life-threatening.

Culver City will soon have a new and improved emergency department with shorter wait times, more square footage, and modern technology. Southern California Hospital at Culver City has invested $20 million toward the design and construction of an upgraded emergency department that is expected to open next summer.  Emergency care will shift to an existing single-story building adjacent to the Tower Building that adds 80 percent more treatment and office space dedicated to the department.

Two nurses recently celebrated working more than 40 years working at Southern California Hospital at Culver City. Both nurses will be retiring soon and the staff will miss them. Read their stories!

Southern California Hospitals at Culver City, Hollywood and Van Nuys welcomed new Chief Nursing Officer Marie Aragon on Sept. 1. Aragon obtained her master’s degree in nursing leadership and administration at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.  “Marie has held vital nursing and operational leadership roles within our organization,” said Southern California Hospital at Culver City Interim CEO Omar Ramirez. “Her dedication to our patients, our staff and the community is essential to fulfill our mission of providing patient-centered care.” Aragon was the interim CNO for three months before the September appointment, and her clinical specialties include cardiac catheter lab, clinical informatics, and biotechnology.

Did you know 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year? This means millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. That is why each year, during the first week of October, the National Alliance of Mental Health and participants across the country raise awareness of mental illness, fight discrimination and provide support through Mental Illness Awareness Week Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be the signs of a mental illness isn't always easy.

During his training at Stanford University six years ago, Dr. Osita Onugha pioneered a new kind of minimally invasive surgery for fractured ribs called extra-thoracic video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), which he now performs at Southern California Hospital at Culver City. Previous procedures used long incisions and open exposure of the chest to stabilize the broken ribs with plates and screws. Extra-thoracic VATS, on the other hand, needs only very small cuts to access the ribs. A tiny camera and surgical instruments are inserted into the chest through these cuts, which guides the surgeon performing the procedure. In addition, a balloon catheter is inflated in the chest cavity to enable greater access to the ribs.

It’s never too late to strive for a healthier lifestyle, and September is Healthy Aging Month, which makes it the perfect time to make a plan. Recapture that “back to school” feeling with a personal commitment to renew yourself. To improve yourself physically, socially, and mentally, here are 4 reasonable tips from the Healthy Aging website to inspire you: 1) Exercise, 2) Diet, 3) Social, and 4) Mental Health.

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. In other words, it’s your body’s overactive and toxic response to an infection.

The antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) at Alta Hospitals (Southern California Hospitals at Culver, Hollywood and Van Nuys; Los Angeles Community Hospitals at LA, Norwalk and Bellflower; and Foothill Regional Medical Center) will be highlighted at the 2022 Vizient Connections Summit this month. Vizient is a community hospital healthcare improvement company.

Stem cell therapy is a type of regenerative medicine that promotes the human body’s ability to naturally repair and heal itself by introducing special human cells (known as stem cells) that can develop into just about any type of cell, including brain and muscle cells. Stem cell therapies have been used in thousands of clinical trials to treat a variety of conditions such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s, although the only FDA-approved stem cell treatments at the moment are those used in procedures such as bone marrow transplants for patients with disorders that affect blood production.

A July article in Cureus: Journal of Medical Science authored by two Southern California Hospital at Culver City physicians—Drs. Alexander Sinclair and John Kowalczyk, along with three other authors—focused on the sexual satisfaction of male-to-female (MtF) gender affirmation surgery (GAS) patients within the United States. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior research has assessed patient satisfaction to this level of detail; and the findings showed that the most important element responsible for sexual satisfaction in MtF GAS patients is neoclitoral sensitivity. The authors cited that the patients also reported a greater relief in gender dysphoria with more enjoyable sexual activity and intensified orgasms after GAS.

To combat the critical nursing shortage, Southern California Hospital at Culver City has recently enlisted a nurse retentionist to help retain staff, using evidence-based strategies to operationalize a focused nurse-retention program with measurable improvements. Dr. Laura Briceno, who previously spent over two decades at Cedars-Sinai Medical Network Services, joined the hospital as director of retention and career development in December 2021.

Follow these six tips to help prevent chronic disease and have a healthy summer: move more, wear sunscreen, keep cool, eat healthy, drink wisely and don’t use tobacco. Learn more details from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ten Southern California Hospital nurses were the recipients of the national 2022 Daisy Award, awarded to nurses who provide extraordinary compassionate care.

This month, Southern California Hospital at Culver City partnered with RecoverWell to streamline access to treatment for patients in need of mental health and substance use treatment. This partnership indicates tremendous progress for an area of healthcare in need of innovation and support.

In an emergency, hospitals need to maintain operations and keep patients and staff safe. Ensuring that the six Prospect Medical hospitals in Los Angeles are prepared is Stephen Cuthbertson, regional director of Environmental Health and Safety and Regional Safety Officer for the Los Angeles Community Hospitals in LA, Norwalk and Bellflower, and Southern California Hospitals at Hollywood, Culver City and Van Nuys.

Many factors influence healthy aging, including genetics and lifestyle. While genetics are not within our control, lifestyle changes—such as diet, exercise, mental acuity and regular doctor appointments—can make the difference in how you spend your golden years. “I always tell my patients that the greatest preparation for tomorrow is being the best ‘you’ today,” said Dr. Brittany Brinley, an internal medicine physician at Southern California Hospital at Culver City who specializes in geriatric care. “This is why you’ll have one 70-year-old in a nursing home, bed-bound, and another 70-year-old finishing a marathon. There are such huge disparities, and not everything is preventable, but a lot of things are.” The number of people aged 65 and older in the United States has grown rapidly since 2010, driven by the aging of the Baby Boomers. This means that geriatric medicine has significantly expanded over the last 20 years in response to the needs and demands of an aging population.

Infectious Diseases Medical Director Dr. Salam Alkasspooles discuss COVID in 2022.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City’s subacute unit received four stars for quality of resident care. Four stars mean the quality of care is “above average,” according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In addition, the subacute unit ranked much above average (five stars) for quality measures. Our hospital ratings on appear on the government’s Nursing Home Compare website.

The presidential proclamation for American Heart Month was signed by Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson in 1963 after Congress issued a joint resolution requesting the president issue an annual proclamation, which was first held in Feb. 1964. Pres. Johnson urged “the people of the United States to give heed to the nationwide problem of the heart and blood-vessel diseases, and to support the programs required to bring about its solution.” In conjunction with American Heart Month, Southern California Hospital Heart Institute Medical Director Dr. Ernst von Schwarz spoke about the importance of maintaining healthy levels of blood pressure.

Valentine’s Day is a great day to think about your heart health and making this year a life-changing year for you and your heart. If you have children, keep in mind that diet and exercise habits started in childhood can start a lifetime of heart health.  For adults, the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention is shining a light on hypertension (high blood pressure), a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The division is committed to addressing barriers to health equity in communities disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City’s subacute unit exceeded a 90% staff and 90% resident COVID-19 vaccine primary series rate for four consecutive weeks during the fourth quarter of 2021. Last year, Health Services Advisory Group, the Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization for Arizona and California, launched the Full Speed Ahead! program to assist nursing homes with improving COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents and staff.

Did you know that people who have close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer? One reason, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful at meeting our health goals when we work on them with others. NHLBI launched the #OurHearts movement to inspire us to protect and strengthen our hearts with the support of others. This article has facts, how-to tips, and resources to inspire you to join with others, even if you can’t be physically together, to improve your heart health. 

Southern California Hospitals at Hollywood, Culver City and Van Nuys announced the 2022-2023 Medical Staff Leadership team.

To be successful in achieving New Year’s resolutions is to determine what motivates you, which differs from person to person. For example, did you complete a marathon because you had a spouse or training partner depending on you?  Or did you launch that business because you wanted to prove others wrong? It’s all about making your resolutions—be they health, financial, educational or relational—a priority, and then taking action that aligns with your daily habits and schedules.

Southern California Hospital at Culver Center has been designated a CIGNA Certified Hospital for bariatric surgery and pulmonary medicine based on rigorous quality standards.  “These center of excellence designations mean our patients are receiving nationally recognized care close to home,” said hospital CEO Michael Klepin. “Our surgeons and staff work very hard to provide excellence in patient care, and this external recognition reflects what we already know—our physicians and staff deliver high quality care every day in West Los Angeles.” The Center of Excellence designation is based on Cigna's evaluation of a hospital’s quality and affordability for four individual inpatient conditions and procedures and seven categories of conditions and procedures. Hospitals can earn up to three stars for quality and three stars for affordability.

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, the holiday season is month-long food marathon. Sure, we visit with family and friends, but what do we do there? EAT! These subtle tricks and tips help avoid the temptation to overindulge this holiday season.

Life can be quite hectic. When 24 hours isn’t enough time to complete the day’s tasks it makes sense that fatigue sets it. But if you feel like you’re doing everything right and getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night and still feel tired, there might be something else to blame. The feeling of fatigue could be a symptom of anything from poor diet to a gut infection that you may not be aware of.

Five decades of unwavering hard work and loyalty to the same employer is no small accomplishment. To this end, Southern California Hospital at Culver City congratulates Dorla Brown for her incredible 50 years of service to our institution. The 72-year-old employee, currently a unit secretary in the telemetry department, looks back on her long career with a sense of pride and achievement.

COVID-19 infections represent a life-threatening condition secondary to respiratory and multi-organ failure as a result of a systemic inflammatory response. Stem cell therapy might ameliorate the underlying effects likely secondary to anti- inflammatory properties. The study was designed as a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Neither the investigators nor the patients knew whether they received a placebo saline injection or a stem cell derived molecule product.

All Prospect Medical hospitals—including Southern California Hospital at Culver City—are embracing the principles of High Reliability Organizations in the promotion of patient safety and efficient healthcare delivery.  Everyone from leadership to frontline staff is dedicated to the goal of zero harm to every patient, in every experience, every time. Read more about our journey.

Two physicians proudly joined their fathers as doctors at Southern California Hospital at Culver City after observing their dads’ hard work as a child. According to both of the children, it’s a dream come true to work beside their parent and learn from him.

Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy being with friends and family. From swimming to boating to picnics in the park, it’s a time for fun in the sun. But with more time outside and around water, there are some important things to be mindful of to keep you and your family healthy and safe. Take the quiz!

Intermittent fasting and time restricted eating are techniques to help people lose weight, improve their overall health, and some say simplify their lifestyles. Intermittent fasting (sometimes referred to as IF) and time restricted eating (sometimes referred to as TRE) are becoming increasingly popular so you are likely to hear about them more and more.

Summer is here and the temperatures are rising. As the days get hotter, cooking is less appealing than binging on ice cream or a cold berry mojito. But have no fear. Here are some healthier recipes for cold treats and snacks that can satisfy your sweet tooth.

A statewide proposal to mandate pay was tabled by the California legislation, but it was not the only mandatory pay effort underway. In Culver City, the five-member council is set to vote in mid-June on an ordinance that would require the city’s only hospital to pay an additional $2 million in premium compensation for work during the pandemic. And supporters of the state bill have already stated they will continue their efforts in the budget process. Neither proposal adequately recognizes all the support hospitals have provided to their teams during the pandemic—things like childcare, housing, bonus pay, and more.

Our hospital is pleased to announce that its contract negotiation with Anthem Blue Cross has been completed. Effective June 1, 2021, our hospital contract will renew on a multiple-year term. Both parties are satisfied with the outcome which resulted in a fair and sustainable contractual language and rate term agreement going forward.

Throughout the pandemic, Southern California Hospital at Culver City employees made personal sacrifices to care for our Culver City community, and we supported them through voluntary actions totaled almost $11 million, and we gladly paid it. A proposed ordinance before the Culver City Council requires Culver City’s only hospital to pay retroactive pay for frontline staff who have already received it, and more. California hospitals lost $8 billion due to the pandemic, so this means significant additional expense for our hospital at a time when we’re only now beginning to recover from the financial impact. The proposed ordinance ignores the significant steps we’ve already taken to pay and care for our employees.

Hospitals have continuously stepped up to make sure healthcare workers have the support they need to care for patients. Healthcare workers are indeed heroes, and hospitals have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to provide things like mental health support and counseling, free housing, child care, paid time off, and bonus pay. Now, as hospitals begin the slow process to rebuild, they are faced with even more headwinds. Rather than support hospitals, state and local policy makers have proposed a number of bills that could cause further financial strain and jeopardize hospitals’ ability to maintain services.

Over the last year, the pandemic has given people a small glimpse of the vital role of EMS professionals. The sacrifice and dedication of EMTs, paramedics and other EMS practitioners has rightfully earned them admiration and gratitude in their communities. Calling us heroes sometimes obscures the fact that—behind those masks—are people who, every day, take on many crucial roles: Healthcare professional. Emergency manager. Social worker. Crisis counselor. Consoler. Caregiver. This week, we celebrate our EMS colleagues.

National Hospital Week (May 9-15) provides an opportunity to look back at the past year and appreciate the pivotal importance hospitals play in our communities. It’s also a time to reflect on the invaluable role Southern California Hospital at Culver City caregivers and employees fill within our hospital, and the sacrifices you make every day to deliver care to those who need it. This year, National Hospital Week theme is inspiring Hope Through Healing. Today, we celebrate the many ways you do just that by providing quality healthcare with compassion, commitment and resilience.

During National Nurses Week (May 6-12), we salute our nurses for their service to our community 365 days a year. Our nurses are to be applauded for their innumerable contributions to the care of our patients across West Los Angeles. While we have always had deep appreciation for the profession of nursing, during this past year they have truly inspired us.

Our nurses have demonstrated tremendous commitment and resilience. We know it has not been easy. We realize not all of our facilities could participate in last year’s Nurses Week due to the pandemic, so this year provides an opportunity to doubly express our gratitude. We thank them for facing the many challenges and long hours stemming from this public health crisis with extraordinary courage.

Our hospital has implemented extra safety precautions for more than one year now to ensure you remain safe while seeking vital medical care. Delaying important screenings and treatment for chronic conditions can be dangerous and may lead to worsening conditions. Follow these four tips to get the treatment you need:

With the development of COVID-19 vaccines, healthcare staffs are among the first to receive the vaccines, thereby protecting themselves, patients, communities, and their loved ones. In this video, our caregivers share reasons they chose to get the vaccine, and why they're encouraging colleagues and others to do the same.

February is American Heart Month and knowing which foods to eat more of and which foods to limit is a powerful way to prevent heart disease and improve your overall health. Use the steps below to work toward a more heart-healthy diet. Here are 6 easy ways to eat smart for your heart.

Santa and his elves left the cold of the north pole for sunny Southern California to partner with our hospital’s care coordinators for a drive-through Christmas. The team passed out Christmas bags filled with blankets, socks, slippers, robes and pajamas to more than 50 nursing homes, assisted living and board-and-care facilities, along with scrumptious to-go lunches. The decorated tunnel drive-through event was held at Bellflower Behavioral Health Hospital.

In the past year, the number of continuous education opportunities for nurses at Southern California Hospital at Culver City has significantly expanded. The overhaul of the clinical education department introduced new programs and educators to the hospital and allows the nurses to have a dedicated space to expand their skills.

When a patient goes into cardiac or respiratory arrest, a team of healthcare providers has mere minutes to assemble at the bedside to perform resuscitation. Every second counts during such a crisis, and a rapid response is critical to the patient’s survival. Called Code Blue, this type of medical emergency occurs fairly often in hospitals and staff must be fully prepared to react quickly. A new simulation program is helping clinicians better prepare for a Code Blue by putting their skills to the test.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City may be the only hospital to offer a designated behavioral health unit for COVID-19-positive patients in Los Angeles, according to Lawrence Story, vice president of behavioral health services.

“When COVID-19 first emerged, we quickly realized that it could have a major impact on our patient population,” said Barbara Neefs, director of behavioral health services, “and we needed to do something quickly.”

Southern California Hospital at Culver City’s subacute unit received five stars—the highest possible rating—for quality of resident care. Five stars mean the quality of care is “much above average,” according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Every quarter, the federal agency publicly releases quality ratings for more than 15,000 nursing homes certified by Medicare and Medicaid on its Nursing Home Compare website.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the subacute unit at Southern California Hospital at Culver City has maintained strict infection control procedures throughout the pandemic. They include testing staff weekly and residents monthly for COVID-19, as well as double temperature checks for anyone entering the facility. As a result, the unit has fortunately remained COVID-free.

With newly formed clinical education programs, nurses at Southern California Hospital at Culver City have more opportunities to continue learning and expand their skill set than ever before. The programs train nurses in specialized areas such as critical care and emergency to allow them to work in departments where demand is high, particularly in light of the recent pandemic.

These new programs give nurses a chance to choose an area that they will engage in, driven by a nurse’s own desire to become a critical care nurse, operating room nurse or another specialty.

The rehabilitation services department at Southern California Hospital at Culver City is helping patients with COVID-19 recover from the lingering effects of the disease and regain their independence. Whether they need assistance with physical, occupational, or speech-related activities, the therapy team has stepped up to provide individualized treatment throughout the pandemic.

In the past six months, Southern California Hospital at Culver City has launched a number of new initiatives focused on improving the technology and services offered by the Heart Institute. Despite the recent challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the institute has continued to move forward with upgrades to its cardiac care, such as a novel treatment system for heart failure and construction of a new catheterization lab.

At the end of January, health officials confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus in Los Angeles County, a returning traveler from Wuhan, China. Two months later, that number had skyrocketed to over 1,200 cases. Healthcare workers on the frontline, including those at Southern California Hospital at Culver City, scrambled to treat and contain patients infected with a never-before-seen pathogen.

“When you’re in the land of the unknown, it’s a lonely environment. It’s hard to know which direction to go,” said Chief Nursing Officer Michael McGinty, who went through COVID-19 himself. “You’re there as a nurse on the floor, and it’s a totally new, different situation.”

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic impacted virtually every healthcare organization in the world. Prospect Medical Holdings, which operates 17 hospitals in five states—including Los Angeles Community Hospitals in LA and Norwalk—as well as 165 outpatient centers and 28 medical groups, found its hospitals at the center of the crisis.

A growing national healthcare system, Prospect quickly leaned on its core values amid the crisis and took decisive action to help mitigate the impact on its communities, facilities, staff, and patients. To do that, Prospect relied on the same grit, determination, and vision that guided its actions during its origin.

When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times. Gio Cecchin, a nurse at Southern California Hospital at Culver City, has been in the forefront of the COVID-19 battle, volunteering to the fight from the beginning, adapting to changing info, providing impeccable patient care during pandemic, supporting his coworkers and keeping a positive attitude, according to Chief Nursing Officer Mike McGinty.

Case manager Angela Cook was recognized as a behind-the-scenes COVID-19 hero by the Culver City Patch in August. Learn more about Angela’s contribution to our Culver City patients during the pandemic.

New programs, services and other initiatives are helping Southern California Hospital at Culver City distinguish itself, while increasing quality care, patient volume and patient satisfaction. This includes investments in our weight-loss surgery, cardiac and transgender surgery programs, as well as sterile processing equipment.

A combination of eating fewer calories and exercising to burn more calories is the most effective way to lose weight and keep it off. Here are three tips on how to burn more calories than you're eating.

The hospital has broken ground on a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab, which will be fully equipped with advanced imaging and computing instrumentation for both diagnostic and interventional procedures, which include coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, stent placement, and electrophysiology testing.

A new medical partnership significantly expands the number and type of orthopedic services available to Culver City residents. LA Bone and Joint Institute, originally based in Encino, has opened a second office on the Southern California Hospital at Culver City campus.

A simple thank you can go a long way—especially to the unsung health heroes fighting on the COVID-19 front lines. Josette Patton was recognized for her efforts and upbeat attitude during the pandemic and always by ABC News Los Angeles.

In less than two minutes, learn how to decontaminate your hands, shoes and tabletops of viruses, including COVID-19.

Chief Nursing Officer Mike McGinty was featured in a Los Angeles Times’ spotlight on COVID-19 frontline staff in LA area. Mike said that “having gone through COVID myself, I can go to the bedside and connect with the patients.”

Southern California Hospital at Culver City is the first hospital in Los Angeles County to acquire joimax's technology for endoscopic spine surgery.

Prospect Medical clinical leaders across the nation have stories of sacrifice, encouragement and thanks from the front lines of care during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Southern California Hospitals at Hollywood and Culver City are named among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Care in 2020, according to a national study by Healthgrades. In addition to the GI care recognition, the hospitals were recognized with more than 15 clinical achievements in 2020.

Culver City Council, along with the fire and police departments, paraded in front of Southern California Hospital at Culver City to honor the nurses, along with all staff, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade, which included sirens, lights and thank you signs outside the hospital, honored both nurses and the entire staff for their efforts to care for the community during the outbreak.

Radiologists at Southern California Hospital at Culver City now have access to advanced technology that increases efficiency and delivers faster high-quality ultrasound and X-ray images. Digital images can be sent by wi-fi directly from the patient’s room to the hospital’s PACS (picture archiving and communication system) for radiologists to view.

Every year, we celebrate National Nurses Week. This year, at this exceptional time, our Prospect Medical nurses’ sacrifices, dedication, and compassion have an even deeper meaning. I thank all our nurses for the tremendous work they do every day to care for our patients, especially during this pandemic.

Dr. Ernst von Schwarz performed the first implantation in California of the new Optimizer® Smart system for treating patients with chronic, moderate-to-severe heart failure. The device addresses an unmet medical need in patients who fail to get adequate benefits from standard treatments and have no alternative treatment options.

Fueling the Fearless” delivered pastries and coffee for 100 employees at Southern California Hospital at Culver City. Klepin said it was important for his staff to feel appreciation and to experience “that kind of humanity” as they went about their difficult work. 

Employees of Southern California Hospital at Culver City are giving back to the communities during the COVID-19 crisis, delivering bags of food and supplies to the 20 residential care and assisted living facilities. These facilities are vulnerable to shortages of food and household supplies due supply chain challenges and quantity restrictions at grocery stores.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City began temperature screening employees and patients on March 20 to determine if they posed a risk of spreading COVID-19. This is just one of the effective steps the hospital is taking to protect patients and employees on the frontline of the pandemic.

A focus on improving case management processes at Southern California Hospital at Culver City has created a more efficient, streamlined system that benefits both patients and hospital. The improved process means hospital resources are not overutilized and patients can go home sooner to a safe environment.

To continue to provide care for patients during the COVID-19 outbreak, many doctors are offering telemedicine appointments, including Dr. Ernst von Schwarz, a board-certified cardiologist and medical director of the Southern California Hospital Heart Institute in Culver City.

March 30 is National Doctors’ Day across our nation. Many of our physicians are on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis, so today we recognize our talented and committed doctors. Regardless of their specialty, the COVID-19 pandemic brings unique challenges to our doctors requiring sacrifice, dedication and compassion. 

Prospect Medical leaders at every level of our organization, clinical and non-clinical alike, are working around the clock to be responsive and proactive in the fight to identify and treat those infected by the virus, and protect those who are not from the threat.  Teams are meeting several times a day to assess the evolving situation, particularly its impacts on our employees and providers, patients and their families, hospitals and other facilities, communities, and those we are proud to serve.

There is a new minimally invasive procedure to treat herniated discs and spinal stenosis now available in Los Angeles. Southern California Hospital at Culver City is the first hospital in LA to acquire the endoscopic spine surgery technology by joimax®. The joimax procedure eliminates the need to cut or damage any healthy tissue to access the compressed nerve, which typically results in faster recovery for patients.

March 8-14 is National Patient Safety Awareness Week, which is an annual recognition event intended to encourage everyone to learn more about healthcare safety. During this week, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement seeks to advance important discussions locally and globally, as well as inspire action to improve the safety of the healthcare system—for patients and the workforce.

Patient safety is a top priority at Southern California Hospital at Culver City, which is why the hospital leadership is committed to becoming a High Reliability Organization (HRO).

Read Dr. Ernst von Schwarz, Heart Institute medical director, Ernst von Schwarz’s invited commentary in JAMA about palliative care and the heart failure patient. Although palliative care has been traditionally associated with patients with cancer, there is increasing recognition of its important role in caring for patients with other life-limiting chronic diseases such as HF.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City is helping to redefine hospital food with a new and improved café menu, Entrée Reimagined, that takes inspiration from popular restaurants like Chipotle and Wingstop. Visitors and employees can now enjoy an ever-rotating menu that cycles through concepts like Verde (Mexican), Smokehouse (BBQ), Cheese Louise (mac and cheese), and Honest Bowl (grain bowls).

To mark American Heart Month, NHLBI, one of the National Institutes of Health, is inviting people across the country to team up and join #OurHearts, a national heart health initiative that encourages people to improve heart health together.

Maintaining healthy blood pressure is a critical part of maintaining general health. Blood pressure is the force blood exerts against the walls of your arteries. This force is primarily a function of how hard your heart is pumping and how much resistance to that blood flow your arteries are exerting. Resistance can come from the narrowing of arteries as we age or as a function of poor diet, inflammation, and other factors. 

February is American Heart Month! Did you know that people who have close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer? One reason, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful at meeting our health goals when we join forces with others. NHLBI launched the #OurHearts movement to inspire us to protect and strengthen our hearts with the support of others in the Hispanic/Latino communities.

West Los Angeles residents interested in weight-loss surgery now have access to a nationally designated program in Culver City. Southern California Hospital at Culver City has been named a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Sometimes grocery shopping can be a dangerous task. We tend to go to the grocery store when we are hungry, ready to scoop up all the delicious-looking, ready-made food or sweets from the bakery.

Next time the sensation to grab the first box of cookies you see takes over, think about your heart! Did you know that each year about 800,000 people die from heart disease? It’s up to you to keep your heart healthy, and you can start by making sure your fridge and pantry are stocked with heart-healthy foods.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. Despite increases in awareness over the past decades, only about half (56%) of women recognize that heart disease is the No. 1 killer, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Many believe it’s cancer, yet heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined.

For this reason, The American Heart Association created the Go Red for Women awareness campaign. The campaign is designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both women and men. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

The good news is that healthy choices can help manage or prevent heart disease. Many of us set up a New Year’s Resolutions in January related to lifestyle improvements, such as eating healthier, exercising more, and reducing stress. These lifestyle changes not only help you, but creates a framework that your children will take into adulthood. February Heart Month provides another opportunity to keep those positive lifestyle changes.

There is a reason that National Heart Month falls in February—the same month that Valentine’s Day is celebrated. As Valentine’s Day is all about the heart, this is a good match. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both American men and women; almost one in every four deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease. African-American men are especially susceptible.

Knowing which foods to eat more of and which foods to limit is a powerful way to prevent heart disease and improve your overall health.  Use the steps below to work toward a more heart-healthy diet. Here are 6 easy ways to eat smart for your heart.

More nurses are opting to make their careers at Southern California Hospital at Culver City, thanks to the “Grow Your Own” retention and recruitment initiative.

You just joined a gym as part of your New Year’s Resolution to get into shape, and maybe feel a little intimidated by the whole new environment. Congratulations on taking the first step toward fitness. You may feel confused and conspicuous the first few times you walk in the gym. However, the best place to begin is with the new member orientation.

It’s official!  You’re the proud owner of shiny new fitness tracker as part of your New Year’s Resolution to walk 10,000 steps a day. Sure, you can hit that number when it’s gym day, but it can be a bit more difficult on your off days. This hurdle can be overcome by making a few little changes in your daily routine.

Is weight loss your 2020 New Year's Resolution? Like many of us, the answer is likely yes. However, if you have a BMI score of 40 or more (about 100 pounds overweight) and have tried diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes and have not achieved your ideal weight, consider weight-loss surgery. You also may be a candidate for bariatric surgery if you have a BMI of 35-39 with specific significant health problems like Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or high blood pressure.

Does your back give you pain? Well, you are not alone. About 31 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time. So, when should you be concerned that your back pain is too severe to cope with on your own? Read on to see if surgery or other interventions are right for you.

Employees at Southern California Hospital at Culver City opened their hearts and wallets in December so local children in need had toys to unwrap during the holidays. In a partnership with the Culver City Fire Department, employees donated hundreds of toys to the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Despite gaining 40 pounds after having her third child, Sose Antebelian said she rarely thought of herself as being overweight; that is, until she saw pictures of herself. “When I saw picture of myself, I would think, that isn’t really me,” she recalled.

For many people looking to lose weight in 2020 or maintain current weigh, the greatest nemesis is food cravings. The seemingly insurmountable desire for something very specific (and usually very unhealthy) is more than normal hunger. Some research shows that these strong yearnings are linked to habits, hormones, and emotions.

Cravings differ from person to person, but the foods that usually cause us to blow are clean eating habits are processed and full of salt, chemicals, fat, and sugar. It’s because of these cravings that many of us struggle with losing weight and keeping it off.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Uncontrolled cases can cause blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and other serious conditions. Before diabetes is diagnosed, there is a period where blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. This is known as prediabetes. It's estimated that up to 70% of people with prediabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, progressing from prediabetes to diabetes isn't inevitable.

It's time again for your annual checkup. What your doctor does during your yearly exam will vary to some degree based on your age, changes in your health, and other variables. Different doctors may also check different things simply because exam protocols vary. Also, if there is something specific you need to have examined, it could require a specialist to diagnose the problem properly.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recognized Southern California Hospital at Culver City and its sister hospital in Hollywood for meeting or exceeding the Healthy People 2020 target of 90% influenza-vaccination coverage for healthcare personnel. “Congratulations on achieving greater than 90% influenza-vaccination coverage for your healthcare personnel during the 2018–2019 influenza season,” said Keith Gurtzweiler, LA County Public Health liaison nurse for Acute Communicable Disease Control.

Patients and employees have seen lots of changes in Southern California Hospital at Culver City’s 17-bed emergency department in 2019—from an attractive facelift to substantially faster times to see a doctor. The facelift created a more tranquil environment, which included adding soothing pale blue walls and contrasting flooring to welcome patients as they are assessed and triaged. And, thanks to the addition of a second triage nurse and other efficiencies, the average time for a patient to see a doctor from the time they walk in is now 13 minutes, down from 23 minutes.

Keeping your joints healthy should be a top priority. Beyond avoiding the significant pain of injured or inflamed joints, healthy joints enable you to live life fully.

As part of being a valued community partner, Southern California Hospital at Culver City is always looking for ways to expand needed programs and services. In 2019, the hospital launched a gender confirmation surgery program, providing comprehensive care by a hospital team that honors its patients undergoing a life-changing experience. “Our hospital staff has gone through sensitivity training to provide an experience that is welcoming, safe and inclusive,” said Kathren Alkasspooles, vice president of planning and business development. “It’s as simple as not forgetting the basics of human compassion and respect.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Southern California Hospitals (SCH) at Culver City and Hollywood an impressive four out of five stars for high-quality health measures.

Whether it’s a cat, dog, horse or iguana, pets can improve your overall health and happiness.

Summer is the time of year everyone seems to look forward to! School is out, and family time and vacations are planned and enjoyed. However, summer creates a set of dangers and issues we should all be aware of and prepare for.

Most people never expect to get sick. But when it happens, it’s comforting to know you're already in a hospital.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City received the 2019 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades, putting the hospitals in the top 5% in the nation among acute care hospitals for patient safety for the second year in a row.

With a pure human heart, sometimes fate intervenes when you least expect it.

Ah yes, spring is in the air—along with all the sneeze-inducing pollen! Seasonal allergies are extremely common, but no need to suffer this year. Numerous strategies can help reduce or prevent your symptoms before they start.

Weight loss surgery can produce significant and sustained weight loss, resulting in improved health.

Many of us want to lose weight and many of us want to be healthier. Many of us want to change aspects of our lives or substantial parts of our lives that we don’t feel are serving us well.

As a behavioral health tech at Southern California Hospital at Culver City, Ruben Trejo enjoys developing a rapport with patients and many often call him Uncle Ruben.

Prediabetes is a condition where your body has started to show signs of developing diabetes but have not fully developed the disease. The good news with prediabetes is that you are still likely in a place where you can reverse the process.

The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to the pathology/clinical lab at Southern California Hospital at Culver City based on a recent accreditation inspection.

Health is a simple concept, but that does not mean that living a healthy life is easy!  At every turn, temptations exist that try to lure you away. Here are 8 practical ways to stick to your health goals in 2019.

Whether we like it or not, winter is coming. Avoid cold and flu season this winter by building up your immune system with these great health hacks.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City is a national recipient of the Healthgrades Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ 14 Years in a row (2005-2018), which makes it among the top 10% in the nation for pulmonary care.

Southern California Hospitals at Culver City and Hollywood are recognized with five stars—the highest rating—in five clinical areas for 2019, according to Healthgrades.

Going back to school after the summer break, especially when transitioning from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school or from high school to college, can be an especially stressful time for many adolescents.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City received the 2018 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ from Healthgrades, putting it in the top 5% in the nation among acute care hospitals for patient safety for a third year.

Women are most at risk for developing bipolar disorder at two key stages of their lives: in their later teenage years and when they reach their late 40s, when the risk of suicide may increase.

Representatives from Southern California Hospital at Culver City attended the Send Silence Packing event at Santa Monica College in May to encourage people to seek help.

Dr. Salam Alkasspooles, an infectious disease specialist, and a member of Los Angeles Community Hospital medical staff was honored at a “Top Doctor” by Los Angeles Magazine in April.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City's bariatric surgical center has been named an Accredited Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Southern California Hospital at Culver City has been accredited as a Center of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (COEMBS) by the Surgical Review Corporation.