Marin General Hospital Marks First Anniversary of Return to Leadership by Marin Healthcare District
GREENBRAE, CA — One year after a return of operational responsibility of Marin General Hospital to the Marin Healthcare District, the hospital is thriving, with new industry awards and certifications; retention of nurses, staff and physicians; and significant community donations of more than $5 million to date.
Community leaders have heralded Marin General Hospital's successes in the past year, led by a strong executive management team, headed by Lee Domanico, CEO. With a continued focus on ensuring the high quality of patient care, a hallmark of the hospital since its founding in 1952, the team has fostered excellence in key program areas, including new areas of development. Following the departure of the hospital's previous operator, Marin General Hospital has dispelled concerns about the viability of Marin's only full service, acute care hospital.
"For a community hospital, transparency and accountability are essential," notes Domanico. "Our organizational philosophy of openness extends to our employees. We have restructured so as to make management more accessible and are working on improving the morale and satisfaction of our physicians, nurses, technicians, and other employees."
"We also have instituted a set of service excellence standards, designed to improve customer service and ensure a high-quality, compassionate, and healing environment for our patients," he adds.
National Recognition, Broader Capabilities
Key to the hospital's future are expanded capabilities, including elective neurosurgery at the new Spine & Brain Institute, the only program of its kind in Marin. Many of the hospital's services now have been recognized at a national level.
"It was only a year ago that many in the community, myself included, were concerned about the viability of Marin's only full service, acute care hospital," says Peter D. Eisenberg, MD, Greenbrae, a former member of the Marin Healthcare District Board who has practiced at Marin General Hospital for more than 30 years.
"One year after the transfer and despite the predictions, Marin General Hospital has not only survived, but is thriving," he says. "Departments and service lines are winning recognition and awards, such as the recent three-year Accreditation with Commendation for the Marin Cancer Institute, The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of ApprovalT, the Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation, plus Chest Pain and Stroke center designations, among others."
Marin General Hospital also is known as Marin County's only
- Designated Trauma Center
- Family Birth Center, including a level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Spine & Brain Institute, offering comprehensive, neurological care and orthopedic spine surgery
- coordinated heart and vascular care at the Haynes Cardiovascular Institute;
- accredited Chest Pain Center with a lifesaving door-to-dilation time of just 44 minutes, compared to the national average of 100 minutes
- nationally recognized cancer care program at the Marin Cancer Institute, with survival rates exceeding the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) rates for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers
- primary Stroke Center that can treat all types of stroke onsite
Hospital Updates and Improvements
The hospital also has undertaken or planned numerous important updates and improvements to the facility itself, notably those for the Emergency Department. Additions include increasing the patient triage area in the ED from one station to six, and upgrading emergency technology. A separate pediatric section and waiting space is being added, as is a room specially equipped for pediatric emergency care. A handicap access ramp is to be built by the new ED entrance.
Technology purchases include the area's first onsite PET/CT scanner, and new breast imaging equipment, made possible through funding by the Marin General Hospital Foundation. The new, state-of-the-art PET/CT scanner provides detailed 3-D images, especially useful for cancer and cardiovascular care. Such imaging will enable radiologists to detect the recurrence of cancer earlier than before, and will help in planning highly targeted radiation therapy that spares healthy cells surrounding a tumor.
In cardiovascular care, the PET/CT scanner allows for detailed images of the heart and coronary arteries, enabling doctors to better assess patient heart health. The new PET/CT scanner's open design makes the procedure more comfortable for patients. A dedicated suite is being built for the scanner, so that patients can have imaging done onsite.
Community Support
Significant community contributions in the last year also have enabled Marin General Hospital's updates and expansion. The donation of $2.9 million by the Schultz family, longtime hospital supporters, has facilitated the Emergency Department renovations. Rita Haynes provided a $1 million gift to the hospital to benefit the Marin Cancer Institute, the Marin Spine and Brain Institute, and the Haynes Cardiovascular Institute, named in the family's honor for a previous contribution.
In June, the Marin General Hospital Foundation raised more than $400,000 during "A Night in Marin Gardens" gala, now returning as an annual fundraising event for the community. People interested in making a donation may direct contributions to the areas of greatest need or for specific programs, through the Foundation.
