Red Cross urges Monterey County residents to donate blood
MONTEREY COUNTY — American Red Cross is urging residents to donate blood or platelets as the national blood supply remains under severe pressure following a blood crisis declared in late July.
The Red Cross said thousands of donors have stepped up since the crisis was announced, but the blood supply remains at a four-year summer low as communities transition to back-to-school schedules and people make their final summer plans. The organization noted that even three additional donors at each blood drive could help stabilize the supply and ensure patients continue receiving lifesaving care.
Residents can schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those who come to donate Aug. 1-31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email. Details are available at redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/august.html.
In Salinas, a blood drive is scheduled for Aug. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Salinas Elks Lodge 614, 614 Airport Blvd. In Monterey, a drive is scheduled for Aug. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie St.
Residents who are unable to donate can help by encouraging eligible friends, family members and colleagues to give blood.
Low-cost pet vaccinations offered in Greenfield
GREENFIELD — SPCA Monterey County will host a low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic for dogs and cats on Friday, Aug. 21, at Patriot Park in Greenfield.
The walk-in clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1351 Oak Ave. No appointments or office visit fees are required.
Vaccinations and microchips will cost $25 each, while deworming is available for $5. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.
Services are available for cats and dogs 8 weeks and older and include rabies, FVRCP and DAPPi vaccines, as well as microchipping.
Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in secure carriers. The clinic is open to Monterey County residents only. Spanish-language assistance will be available. For more information, visit SPCAmc.org/vax.
Salinas Valley Health earns Leapfrog transparency badge
SALINAS — Salinas Valley Health has earned the inaugural Leapfrog Full Transparency Badge, recognizing hospitals that voluntarily report comprehensive patient safety and quality data through the annual Leapfrog Hospital Survey.
The designation is awarded to hospitals that complete, affirm and submit all sections of the survey, a national reporting program focused on patient safety, quality and transparency. The Leapfrog Hospital Survey provides publicly available information to help patients and families evaluate the safety and quality of hospital care.
“At Salinas Valley Health, our consecutive ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grades from Leapfrog reflect the quality of the care we provide and the new Full Transparency Badge reflects the integrity behind our commitment to quality,” said Allen Radner, Salinas Valley Health president/CEO. “We are proud of both recognitions because they represent our mission and our staff’s dedication. Especially as healthcare systems across the country face an increasingly challenging fiscal environment, being transparent about our performance is an important part of maintaining the trust our community places in us every day.”
The transparency badge adds to Salinas Valley Health’s record of patient safety and clinical quality achievements, including consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, a Four-Star Overall Hospital Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Magnet with Distinction recognition for nursing excellence, and recognition from U.S. News & World Report as a High Performing Hospital in multiple adult procedures and conditions.
The Leapfrog Full Transparency Badge is displayed on Leapfrog’s public Hospital Ratings website to identify hospitals that have committed to openly sharing their performance data with the communities they serve.
