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St. John's begins to slow operations before its closure
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More from Local NewsSt. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard has begun slowing down patient admissions in preparation for a planned 10-day closure beginning Aug. 14.
If its plans are approved by two separate state agencies, the 265-bed hospital will close so that it can be fumigated with chlorine dioxide gas for mold. An emergency room that saw some 45,000 people last year will close Aug. 8. Pending another OK from the state, the hospital and the ER would reopen on Aug. 24.
On Monday, hospital officials stopped admissions to its acute care rehabilitation program for people recovering from strokes, complex orthopedic issues and similar problems. Today, patients admitted in other units will get letters explaining the closure plans and the possibility of a transfer.
Patients going to the hospital for elective procedures will stop being admitted on Monday. Admissions of women about to give birth will stop on Aug. 10.
"We want to minimize the number of patients who are here that we have to move by ambulance," said T. Michael Murray, president of St. John's, noting that ideally only 20 to 25 patients would have to be transferred in the hours before the closure.
Murray said the hospital received two calls this week about possibly admitting patients to the rehab program. Both were referred elsewhere.
The California Department of Public Health still must approve the closure plan. And the state Department of Pesticide Regulation has to OK the use of chlorine dioxide to fumigate for mold. Officials of both agencies said Tuesday a decision has not been made, though a spokesman for the pesticide agency said the process is moving forward.
Hospital officials continue a massive outreach program including fliers, door-to-door notification and radio announcements to let people know of the Aug. 14 closure date. Murray said he expects the approvals will come and won't affect the timing of the closure.
But if the go-aheads come late, the hospital's plans would be pushed back, he said.
Since the first reports several months ago, the hospital's closure plans have generated anxiety that other hospitals could be flooded with patients and people who need care immediately won't get it in time.
To minimize those risks, St. John's officials have planned for months with other hospitals, regulatory agencies and everyone from police to ambulance providers.
"I think we've run through every potential scenario that we can," said Barry Fisher, an administrator for Ventura County Emergency Medical Services. He feels confident the work will pay off but likened preparations to planning for a potential disaster.
"We're probably prepared, but you never actually know until it takes place," he said.
Posted by NoMoreMold on August 2, 2007 at 6:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If the state approves this as an experiment, the public should demand an investigation (and get it) for why this was allowed, when independent research shows this method does not perform as promised and destroys all metals in a building, including the wiring and structural steel. If Rudy Giuliani did not own this company, it would never be allowed to experiment in CA on a hospital or any other building. This is an example of a political favor about to happen, as I can find no other rational reason.
Posted by NoMoreMold on August 2, 2007 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some of the independent research and background of this approach is found at:
1. Experiment:testing this gas on two toxins produced by molds like stachybotrys.
Efficacy of Chlorine Dioxide as a Gas and in Solution in the Inactivation of Two Trichothecene Mycotoxins - results: "Results for the first experiment showed that ClO2 treatment had no detectable effect on either toxin." Authors: S. C. Wilson a; T. L. Brasel a; J. M. Martin a; C. Wu a; L. Andriychuk a; D. R. Douglas a; L. Cobos a; D. C. Straus a
Affiliation: a Center for Indoor Air Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Lubbock, Texas. USA
DOI: 10.1080/10915810590953437
Publication Frequency: 6 issues per year
Published in: International Journal of Toxicology, Volume 24, Issue 3 May 2005 , pages 181 - 186
2. Effect of Chlorine Dioxide Gas on Fungi and Mycotoxins Associated with Sick Building Syndrome
S. C. Wilson,* C. Wu, L. A. Andriychuk, J. M. Martin, T. L. Brasel, C. A. Jumper,
and D. C. Straus
Center for Indoor Air Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Health Sciences Center,
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79430
Received 28 October 2004/Accepted 28 March 2005
"These data show that chlorine dioxide gas can be effective to a degree as a fumigant for
the inactivation of certain fungal colonies, that the perithecia of C. globosum can play a slightly protective role for the ascospores and that S. chartarum, while affected by the fumigation treatment, still remains toxic."
An article about this method is found here:
https://www.ieconnections.com/archive... scroll down till you see:
"States Approve Chlorine Dioxide Mold Treatment
Endorsements Issued While IAQ Industry Expresses Uncertainty" by Steve Sauer.
When the US EPA was called about the basis for their approval for chlorine dioxide gas as a fumigant for just this one company (not others), they admitted it was based on proprietary research, that this company conducted and owns.
That means the people and buildings subjected to this experiment are not being protected adequately. I am concerned that if the CA DOH and Office of Pesticide Regulation allows this, they will allow it more - and soon your children's schools may be subjected to this experiment, which does not stop the source of moisture and does not remove toxins nor dead mold (still allergenic and toxic, some still alive) behind walls, above ceilings, etc. Wet insulation would remain wet. This is a bandaid solution with a poor track record in independent experiments. An investigation needs to occur to find out who approved this and why, if it is approved.
The reporter for this article interviewed Dr. David C. Straus but did not report what he said about this process. For shame.
Posted by NoMoreMold on August 2, 2007 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ineffective to remove moisture, dead mold, and toxins...and DANGEROUS.
Another article about the dangers to the community of using chlorine dioxide gas. "“We’ve moved chlorine gas, a chemical weapon, off the battlefield and into our communities,” said OSPIRG advocate Laura Etherton. "
Why is this being allowed? Investigation is necessary if it is. Obviously, this hospital has not adequately done its homework, but the state of CA should protect the communities and people.
Go to this website to read more...
http://ospirg.org/OR.asp?id2=34762
News Room
For Immediate Release:
August 1, 2007
For More Information:
Laura Etherton
(503) 231-4181 (Ext. 305)
Technologies can Eliminate Chemical Hazards at Oregon Pulp and Paper Mills
Download the Report.
Pulp and paper mills that use chlorine or chlorine dioxide to whiten paper needlessly endanger more 48,000 people in Oregon, according to a new report released today by Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG).
The report, Pulp Fiction, identified 74 pulp and paper mills across the nation that together endanger more than 5.7 million people by using chlorine or chlorine dioxide to bleach paper. If released, these two hazardous substances have the potential to kill or seriously injure even at relatively low concentrations. ...
“We’ve moved chlorine gas, a chemical weapon, off the battlefield and into our communities,” said OSPIRG advocate Laura Etherton.....
...
Accidents at chemical facilities have long threatened communities and workers. The realization that a terrorist could use an industrial facility as a make-shift chemical weapon has amplified concerns about extremely hazardous chemicals like chlorine and chlorine dioxide.
Based on these concerns, the National Research Council recently identified safer technologies as the most desirable solution to address chemical plant security. The Council stated that the most effective way to prevent chemical releases is to eliminate the hazard where possible.
“Today’s report demonstrates that safer technologies are a reality,” said Etherton. “Some facilities have already reduced chemical hazards by switching to safer technologies, but many others are continuing with business as usual. To truly make our communities safe, chemical facilities must adopt safer technologies.”
Last summer, the House Homeland Security Committee passed a chemical security bill that incorporated safer technologies, but this bill was never brought to the House floor for a vote. Comparable legislation will likely be introduced again this year.
“We urge members of Oregon’s delegation to ensure that safer technologies are a part of any serious chemical security proposal.”
OREGON STATE PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP
1536 SE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97214 • (503) 231-4181
Contact Us Privacy Policy
Posted by NoMoreMold on August 3, 2007 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I encourage the public to express their concerns to the CA EPA also.
The phone numbers are available at http://www.calepa.ca.gov/staffdirectory
To make a public comment write these three principals at the CA EPA Dept of Pesticide Regulation:
Mr. Glenn Brank -
gbrank@cdpr.ca.gov
Mr. Charles Andrews - candrews@cdpr.ca.gov
Mr. David Supkoff - dsupkoff@cdpr.ca.gov
Re: Planning to use chlorine dioxide gas as a fumigant for mold (in August, 2007) at:
St. John's Regional Medical Center
1600 North Rose Ave
Oxnard, CA 93030
Posted by NoMoreMold on August 3, 2007 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Comments on the application may be made by referencing "St. John's Hospital" in correspondence.
via e-mail to rkubiak@cdpr.ca.gov ;
fax (916) 324-5872, attn Rachel Kubiak;
mail to Pesticide Registration Branch
Department of Pesticide Regulation
P.O. Box 4015
Sacramento, CA 95812-4015; attn Rachel Kubiak.
Posted by My2Cents on August 3, 2007 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
...I would hate to think this, but I have a sense that SJRMC is being used as a ginnypig! Politicians are at it again, who cares how it will affect the staff (after they move back in), clients that will be seen/or take up beds at SJRMC, and the general community in the years to come...
It's stated that this procedure/gas does not work. Why are they pushing to have it done? HazMat is just waiting in the wings to clean up the %$#*& mess! Tear it down and re-build.
My little cow town of Oxnard, the residence and professionals that will work in that building deserve an uncompromised work site. It would be extremely shamefull if the healthcare providers become patients themselves as a result of this---think about it!
In addition, SJRMC is also a training site for our local community colleges/university. Imagine these students--future healthcare providers--becoming ill because of the shortsightedness of the decision makers...
The livelyhood of others is at risk...
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