League of Women Voters of California
Santa Clara County, CA November 5, 2002 Election
	Mark J. O'Connor Answers Questions Candidate for Director; El Camino Hospital District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Altos/Mtn. View Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Discuss how the Master Plan for El Camino Hospital meets the future health care needs in our community.

The hospital has served the communities of Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto and Cupertino since 1960. With the upcoming rebuild of the hospital tower to meet State mandated earthquake standards much time has been spent determining the community health needs of the District over the next 50 years. Studies have shown our strengths and weaknesses and how best to improve and meet the communitis health needs of the future. Centers for cardiac care, cancer, women's health and orthopedics will be implemented. Outreach to the community as a preventitive health resource will be seen as an ongoing commitment in civic centers, workplaces and schools.

2. Please discuss the financial condition of El Camino Hospital and how this affects its bond rating.

The financial condition of the hospital is strong. We have no debt, unique compared to all other hospitals in California. We have over 400 days of cash on hand; Industry standards state a financially healthy hospital have at least 150 days cash on hand. Currently we have a strong financial rating, and if we need to borrow monies in part for the hospital rebuild our interest rate will be favorable. These current strengths and continued growth and containment of costs will give us a very favorable bond rating.

3. Is El Camino Hospital current in its standards of medical staffing; e.g. the ration of RNs to patients? Is housekeeping staffing adequate as back up for nursing and admissions from ER? What do you recommend to improve the staffing situation, if needed?

Our current nurse staffing ratio exceeds State guidelines and industry standards. Our nurses are a great source of quality of care and pride to the community and have been recognized nationally for their superior and compassionate care. Currently, housekeeeping staffing ratios during days and evenings are adequate. There is ongoing evaluations to make sure night housekeeping ratios are adequate and if found not to be will be changed.