April 5, 2012

Honorable California Senator Ed Hernandez

Chair, California Senate Health Committee

State Capitol , Room 4085

Sacramento, CA, 95814

Regarding: Reduction or eradication of HAI (Hospital Associated Infections)!

Dear Senator Hernandez,

 The advocacy for the reduction of Hospital Associated Infections in our veterans hospitals has led me to your office as Chair of the California Senate Health Committee, your efforts concerning safe, efficient and affordable healthcare are most appreciated. With an interest in helping veterans acquire the benefits of the efforts underway in the private sector, starting at the top, all are watching the efforts of the states as “best practices”, as I am sure you are aware. My advocacy has led me to the efforts of a hospital in Daily City, CA, which has not had a ventilator acquired pneumonia event recorded in four years according to the U.S. D.H.H.S.

V.A.P. is a good start in my opinion, not just reduction but eradication, perhaps a rating by T.J.C., given a choice, the consumer should drive the process, a V.A.P. free facility should not only be safer but also more affordable according to my research!

 As my advocacy develops some numbers have come to mind, 12/7/1942, Pearl Harbor, 2,333 souls we lost resulting in the U.S.A. entry to W.W.II, 9/11/2001, 2,753 souls were lost resulting in the U.S.A. starting the War on Terror and invading  two countries, 2001, 99,000 soles were lost to H.A.I. in the U.S.A. resulting in a disclaimer that “only one in seven  errors, accidents and other that harm Medicare patients in hospitals are recognized and reported by hospital employees” issued by Danial R. Levinson, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Quality Progress Magazine via N.Y. Times, 1/6/12.

 The interest, resources and science are available in my opinion, my advocacy as a vet, a business owner and a taxpayer will do little without the leadership of the “Great State of California” and the support of T.J.C., the 99,000 souls lost to H.A.I., the statistics are improving but I do not consider mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers “statistics” and to learn that some vet will loose  their life because a hospital bed was not placed at the proper angle gives me the inspiration to humbly ask your office to address the issue.

 Again, thank you so much for all that you do for the Great State of California!

Respectfully,

Michael H. Slavinski                                                       Continued on page 2

                                                             

                             Page 2 Reduction or eradication of HAI (Hospital Associated Infections)!

Honorable President of the United States Barack Obama

Honorable United Stated Senator Dianne Feinstein

Honorable United States Senator Barbara Boxer

Honorable Majority Whip united States Congressman Kevin McCarthy

Honorable Governor Edmond G. Brown Jr.

The Great State of California

Honorable California Senator Sam Blakeslee

Honorable California Assemblymember William W. Monning

Chair, Committee on Health Care

Honorable California Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian

Ms. Donna M. Beiter, RN, MSN

Director,

V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Systems

Mark R. Chassin, M.D., F.A.C.P., M.P. P., M.P.H.

President

The Joint Commission

Ms. Amy Panagopoulos

Senior Director

The Joint Commission

Ms. Pam Kehaly

President, Anthem Blue Cross

Mr. Eddy W. Hartenstrin

Publisher and Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Times

President and Chief Executive Officer, Tribune Company

Staff, Anthem Blue Cross

"If we can improve the quality of care, that will translate into lower cost," Anthem President Pam Kehaly said. "These are real dollars."